Rush Can't Weather the Storm
May 10, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Tampa â The Tampa Bay Storm didn't play like a winless football team Friday night at the Ice Palace.
The Storm (1-3), one of the storied franchises in AFL history with four ArenaBowl championships in 12-years, played a near-flawless game to defeat the Chicago Rush 66-53 and record its first win of the 2003 season.
"Tampa Bay is, and always has been, a very good team," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "This was a must-win game for them and they played like it. We made a few costly mistakes tonight and we couldn't climb back. It's disappointing because we had a chance to secure some breathing room in our division race."
With the loss, Chicago (2-2) is currently tied for its division lead with Indiana. The Rush plays host to Georgia next Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
Tampa scored on 10 of its 11 possessions, while forcing the Rush into two costly turnovers.
The Rush played well offensively, converting on eight of 11 possessions. But the team's two turnovers, a first-half kickoff fumble by offensive specialist Antonio Chatman and a third-quarter interception in the Tampa Bay end zone, allowed the Storm to maintain a comfortable advantage throughout.
Rush QB Billy Dicken again played well, throwing for seven touchdowns, 311 yards and one costly interception. WR/LB Anthony Ladd had a career night, recording career highs in receptions (6), touchdowns (4) and tackles (4).
Dicken's counterpart, Storm QB Shane Stafford, also played well completing 26 of 35 for 243 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.
Defense was an afterthought in the first half, as the two teams combined for touchdowns on 11 of 13 possessions.
Tampa was flawless, converting touchdowns on all six of its possessions, while the Rush was almost as good, with the exception of Chatman's fumble. Tampa took advantage of the turnover at the Rush 8-yard line and quickly completed an 8-yard pass for its first lead of the game, 28-21. Chicago's final possession of the half began with just 5 seconds left and, after a draw play for no gain, the half ended with the Rush down 42-33.
Dicken played a solid first half, completing 9 of 11 passes for 145 yards and four scores. Stafford was his equal, completing 13 of 18 tosses for four touchdowns. Neither quarterback threw a first-half interception.
Chatman, who stepped into the starting OS spot for the injured Joe Douglass, made his presence felt early and often. The Rush tallied touchdowns on each of its three possessions with Chatman playing a prominent role throughout.
The 5' 8" rookie from Cincinnati â one of the fastest players in the Arena Football League -- returned the opening kickoff to the Rush 23-yard line, setting up a 12-yard touchdown strike from Dicken to Ladd. Tampa Bay countered quickly with a 27-yard run by Storm FB/LB Basil Proctor to even the game at 7-7.
Chicago responded on the first play of its next possession as Chatman took a quick screen pass from Dicken before scampering 45-yards through the Tampa defense for a 14-7 advantage. The Storm held serve on its next possession, evening the score with a 15-yard toss from Stafford to WR/DB Kusanti Abdul-Salaam.
Chatman was at it again on the ensuing kickoff, breaking away for a 41-yard return, placing the Rush on Tampa's 9-yard line. Two plays later, FB/LB Jamie Bowers crossed the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown and a 21-14 first quarter edge.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 10, 2002
- Rush Can't Weather the Storm - Chicago Rush
- Destroyers Meet Detroit... Again - Buffalo Destroyers
- Exhibition Action Begins This Weekend - Portland Forest Dragons
- Line Dancing - Los Angeles Avengers
- Week Four Previews - AFL I
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
