Rush clinches Central Division title with 53-37 win
May 23, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Superstar players often find the ability to make something happen even when they aren't on top of their game. Larry Bird was know for his passing and rebounding on days when his shooting touch was not there for the Celtics. Walter Payton always got the job done as a blocker and a receiver if he ever had an off day running the ball for the Bears. The great Willie Mays stole many a game with his glove for the Giants on days when he wasn't hitting.
Rush WR Etu Molden had one of those days for the Rush against the Indiana Firebirds. Even though there were a couple of passes that he could not reel in, the opportunistic Rookie of the Year candidate scored four touchdowns in leading Chicago to a 53-37 victory over the Indiana Firebirds at the Allstate Arena. The win gave the Rush (11-4) the AFL's Central Division title and assured Chicago of a quarterfinal playoff game at home June 6.
Molden scored on a one-yard run, recovered a kickoff in the endzone and caught two TD passes to lead the Rush to the victory. He caught four passes for 26 yards in the game. For the season, Molden has 30 TDs on the season, including 22 as a receiver.
The Rush had a solid defensive effort, as well, as the defense consistently frustrated Indiana QB Adrian McPherson. Lineman John Moyer set the tone with two sacks early, giving him a career-high 10 sacks for the season.
"It was a good way to start the game," Moyer said. "We knew we had to put pressure on McPherson early because he can run and make things happen, and we did just that."
Moyer was thrilled with what the victory meant to the Rush â a division tile and at least one home postseason game. "Having a playoff game at home means a lot," Moyer continued. "These fans are loud and crazy, and they give us a huge advantage. Everyone in the league knows we have the best fans."
Tickets for that playoff game will go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m.
A slow start in the first quarter was just an obstacle the Rush had to overcome on their way to the Central Division championship. Trailing 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, QB Raymond Philyaw gave the Rush the lead with a two-yard run around the left side. As the crowd of 14,399 roared its approval, the Rush was back on the scoreboard within seconds. Kicker Keith Gispert banged the ensuing kickoff high off the net and the ball bounced sharply away from Indiana returner Anthony Derricks.
Lindsay Fleshman appeared to have a great chance of picking it up on the hop and going into the endzone, but he could not control it and the ball bounced into the endzone where Molden recovered for the touchdown. The score allowed the Rush to dictate the pace throughout the rest of the game.
Indiana (8-8) scored its first touchdown when McPherson, a former prized recruit at Florida State, hit Anthony Hines with a 21-yard TD pass to bring the Firebirds back in touch at 14-10.
The Rush responded quickly. The resilient Philyaw once again responded to the challenge. He led a fine seven-play, 39-yard drive that culminated with his two-yard TD pass to Jeremy McDaniel.
Both teams scored in the final minute of the first half and the Rush took a 29-17 lead into the lockerroom at halftime.
Gispert got the Rush on the scoreboard in the second half with an impressive 52-yard field goal. After Chicago stopped the Firebirds on their next possession, Philyaw extended the Rush lead to 39-17 with a seven-yard TD pass to Molden late in the third quarter. That gave the Rush a 39-17 lead and Indiana was not able to threaten after that.
The Rush close the regular season at Colorado next week. Chicago overpowered the Crush 65-35 in a Week Three meeting at the Allstate Arena.
Tickets for the team's quarterfinal playoff game Sunday, June 6 at 2 p.m. may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212, or by visiting the Ticketmaster Web site at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets also may be purchased in person at any Ticketmaster outlet or the Allstate Arena box office. Groups wishing to purchase tickets should call the Rush toll free at (877) RUSH-TIX.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 23, 2004
- Avengers Fend off the Gladiators - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Dragons Stopped in Orlando - New York Dragons
- Rush clinches Central Division title with 53-37 win - Chicago Rush
- Crush Stun Fury 45-42 - Detroit Fury
- Firebirds Can't Keep up with Rush, fall 53-37 - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Storm win fifth straight, pull into tie for eighth playoff seed - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul fall to SaberCats, 48-36 - Philadelphia Soul
- Gladiators fall short against Avengers, 54-51 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Destroyers outlast Desperados in Texas shootout - Columbus Destroyers
- SaberCats Win Over Soul, 48-36 - San Jose SaberCats
- Desperados Drop Sixth Consecutive Game - Dallas Desperados
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