Rush comeback foils SabreCats' bid for victory
February 26, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
ROSEMONT, Ill. (Feb. 19, 2006) - Matt D'Orazio tossed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Cornelius White in overtime giving the Chicago Rush a 54-48 win over the San Jose SaberCats (1-4) in an Arena Football League game on Sunday.
Chicago (3-2) DB Jeremy Unertl's second interception of the game came on San Jose's first overtime possession setting the stage for the Rush to complete the comeback win.
It was the fifth overtime game in SaberCats history and the first since June 30, 2001. The loss also dropped San Jose to a franchise worst 1-4 on the year.
San Jose QB Mark Grieb connected with James Roe on a 46-yard scoring play midway through the third quarter to stake San Jose to a 40-28 lead. Grieb completed 17 of 28 pass attempts for 230 yards with five touchdowns on the game, but his two interceptions led to a pair of Chicago scores.
Chicago's C.J. Johnson returned a missed Brian Schmitz field goal attempt 56 yards for a touchdown with 9:41 left in the fourth quarter to give the Rush its first lead of the game at 41-40.
Roe's third scoring catch of the game and a two-point conversion gave San Jose a 7-point lead with under three minutes left in the contest, but Chicago forced overtime when D'Orazio connected with Buchie Ibeh on a 12-yard touchdown pass with just 11 seconds remaining.
San Jose had one last chance in regulation, but following a holding penalty on the kickoff return, the SaberCats were backed up to their own 6-yard line. Grieb then was sacked by Khreem Smith on the San Jose one on the next play ending regulation.
The SaberCats jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead following a 1-yard Calvin Schexnayder after a net recovery on the opening kickoff by Phil Glover. San Jose held Chicago on downs on its first possession and Grieb connected with Roe from 24-yards out for a 13-0 lead six and a half minutes into the game.
Chicago's Bob McMillen became the AFL's career rushing leader, briefly. He ran for a yard in the third quarter to overtake Les Barley, but on his next carry, McMillen was thrown for an 8-yard loss, moving him behind Barley once again.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 26, 2006
- Rush comeback foils SabreCats' bid for victory - San Jose SaberCats
- Soul drop first home game of season to defending ArenaBowl champs - Philadelphia Soul
- Dragons Impressive In Win - New York Dragons
- Rush prevails over SaberCats, 54-48, in OT - Chicago Rush
- Garcia Injured In Victory - New York Dragons
- Avengers Burned by the Blaze - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Gladiators Comeback Falls Short in Dallas, 55-48 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Blaze burn Avengers on late touchdown, 68-66 - Utah Blaze
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.
