Rush dominates Avengers, clinches Central Division title
May 19, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Coming off a bye week, Chicago Rush head coach Mike Hohensee expected his team to have a sharp effort against the struggling Los Angeles Avengers.
He was not disappointed. Combining an explosive passing attack led by quarterback Russ Michna and a ferocious defense, the Rush (9-2) rolled to a 72-28 victory in front of 15,904 fans at Allstate Arena. The win gave the Rush its second-consecutive Central Division title in the AFL's American Conference and guarantees a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
The Rush will host a second round playoff game at Allstate Arena on either July 5, 6 or 7. Tickets for that game will go on sale at noon this Saturday.
The Rush defense dominated Los Angeles (4-8) throughout the game, recording two safeties and four interceptions - including three by defensive back Dennison Robinson. Robinson returned one of his picks 26 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, just moments after DB Jeremy Unertl had returned a pick 47 yards for another score.
Robinson credited the Rush defensive line and linebackers with a superb game, dominating their counterparts on the Avenger offensive line.
"They made it easy for us," Robinson said. "They have been putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season and today may have been their best game. When the quarterback has no time to set up, that ball looks awfully big when it's coming right at you."
The win was Chicago's fifth in a row and the 44-point margin of victory set a team record. The previous record had been set in 2004 when the Rush hammered Orlando 58-15.
Michna increased his record as a starter to 6-0, completing 18-of-22 passes for 223 yards and six TD passes, without throwing an interception. Wide receiver Travis LaTendresse caught 8 passes for 91 yards, including three scores.
Chicago was refreshed and confident in the first half against the struggling Avengers. Fullback Dan Alexander wasted no time in scoring on the first possession, capping a three-play, 30-yard drive when he rumbled into the endzone from 13 yards out.
The Rush intercepted Los Angeles quarterback Sonny Cumbie on the next possession as Robinson picked the ball off at the Avenger 13. Alexander scored again, this time on a 14-yard pass from Michna.
Robinson credited head coach Mike Hohensee for not overworking the team as they came back from their bye week. "Mike was a player in this game and he knows exactly what it takes to win," Robinson said. "He knows we still have a long way to go this season and he wants us to work hard but he wants our best football to be in front of us. That's what makes him a great coach."
The Avengers managed to put together an 11-play, 48-yard drive and fullback Josh Jeffries culminated it with a 2-yard run. But Los Angeles wouldn't have much to offer after that. Donovan Morgan caught a 22-yard TD pass from Michna on the last play of the first quarter to increase Chicago's lead to 20-7 and the rout was on.
The Rush defense was particularly rough on Los Angeles backup quarterback Tim Hicks. He was constantly pressured in the second quarter as the front three of Khreem Smith, James Baron and John Moyer hit him on nearly every snap. The pressure forced Los Angeles into allowing back-to-back safeties on possessions late in the second quarter, marking the first time in AFL history that a team had recorded two safeties in one half.
By halftime, Michna had completed 9-of-13 passes for 129 yards with 4 TDs. LaTendresse had 2 TD receptions, Alexander had 1 and Morgan also had one as the Rush rumbled into the lockerroom with a 44-14 lead.
The Rush travels Utah for a game with the Blaze Saturday night.
RUSH NOTES: Alexander once again provided a credible rushing game, carrying 7 times for 35 yards with 2 touchdowns. ... Donovan Morgan continues to be a big factor in the passing game, catching 6 passes for 97 yards and a score. ... Damian Harrell made a crowd-pleasing 4-yard TD pass in the third quarter despite slamming into the end boards after catching the short pass from Michna. ... DeJuan Alfonzo led the Rush with 8 solo tackles and also chipped in with 4 assists. ... Unertl broke up 2 passes and had 5.5 tackles in addition to his interception.
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