AFL Arena Football League

Rush defeat Utah Blaze

Published on June 9, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


The Chicago Rush didn't commence their time in Rockford on a very good note. They took the lead in the second quarter, however, and burst out in the third quarter to secure a comfortable 67-43 victory over the Utah Blaze.

The Rush (7-5), who intercepted Blaze quarterback Tommy Grady four times in their last meeting, came up with two more picks of Grady on Saturday evening. Kelvin Morris intercepted a laser aimed directly at him, while Vic Hall had to use extension to snare a pass into the right corner of the end zone. Wide receiver Reggie Gray was his usual spectacular self, with three touchdown receptions to expand his season total to 34. He has now tallied multiple touchdown catches in 9 of 12 games for Chicago this season. He was joined by Jared Jenkins, who recorded five touchdown receptions to make it eight over the past two weeks.

The Blaze (4-7) jumped out to a 7-0 lead after Rush quarterback Carson Coffman had four straight incompletions on the Rush's opening drive, and Grady found Mario Urrutia in the end zone. Chicago responded with a long drive that resulted in a 20-yard touchdown pass to Gray. From there, the two teams traded touchdowns, with Utah taking a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter.

The Rush gained their first lead on the backs of a powerful goal-line defense, as Hall pushed a receiver into the boards to force an incompletion on third down. On fourth down, it was much of the same, as defensive back Josh Pleasant came up with the diving deflection. Jenkins gave Chicago the advantage with a little bit of extra effort to cross the goal line and finish off a 15-yard touchdown reception. Jenkins staged a repeat to cap off the first half, as he fought his way in for an 18-yard touchdown to send Chicago into halftime leading 34-28.

The Rush carried that momentum into the second half, as they came up with an immediate turnover on downs, and Coffman followed with his third touchdown pass to Jenkins. On the extra-point attempt, the snap escaped the holder, setting up a near easy score for the Blaze. Hall would not let that happen, however, chasing the Blaze player all the way down the field for a tackle just yards shy of the end zone.

Morris then came up with his pick and Reggie Gray gave the Rush a three-possession lead with his third touchdown of the game. Jenkins made it 26 straight points for Chicago with an astounding effort on a screen pass, as he dodged from left to right to run it 39 yards down the field for a score. Jenkins earned Russell Offensive Player of the Game honors with his nine-catch, 137-yard performance.

Vic Hall came up with eight tackles to earn the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game accolade.

Linebacker Kelvin Morris earned J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game honors with his interception, while Gray's second touchdown catch, which he pulled down in tight coverage, was named the Play of the Game. D.J. Woods, with a sprinting touchdown catch down the right sideline, came up with the Cutter's Catch of the Game.

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Arena Football League Stories from June 9, 2013


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