Rush falls to Kansas City in Opener 54-41
Published on March 4, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Kansas City - The defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush looked rusty in its season opener in Kansas City, losing to the Brigade 54-41 in front of 13,600 fans at Kemper Arena Sunday afternoon.
Rush QB Matt D'Orazio completed 20-of-27 passes for 250 yards and five TDs, but was under pressure all afternoon, getting sacked three times and forced into throwing two interceptions in the loss.
"We played hard to the end, but other than that we didn't do much well this afternoon," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "We struggled to protect our quarterback and we really didn't tackle very well.
"However, we won't let this game define us. We are going to work hard this week to come out and be better when we play San Jose Friday night."
With Kansas City leading 14-13 early in the second quarter and the Rush pinned back against its goal line, D'Orazio was pressured and called for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and a 16-13 Brigade lead.
On Kansas City's ensuing possession, the Rush defense had the opportunity to regain the momentum for Chicago, forcing the Brigade into a fourth-and-11 from inside its own 5-yard line. However, Kansas City QB Raymond Philyaw - Chicago's starter in 2004 and 2005 - found former Northwestern wide receiver Sam Simmons open for a 26-yard gain. The first down set up a Jerel Myers 1-yard touchdown reception two plays later, boosting the KC lead to 23-13.
After falling behind by as many as 15 points early in the fourth quarter, the Rush battled back to cut the lead to 41-35 with nine minutes remaining.
However, Kansas City converted another fourth down on its next series, leading to a Philyaw six-yard touchdown run and a 48-35 lead.
D'Orazio's second interception led to a Kansas City TD with 30 seconds remaining and the Rush scored on wide receiver Bobby Sippio's fifth touchdown of the afternoon to reach the final score.
Notes: Philyaw finished the game 23-of-33 for 225 yards and four touchdowns - two rushing and two passing ... Rush LB DeJuan Alfonzo intercepted a Philyaw pass in the first quarter and returned it 24-yards for a TD. It was his first interception since 2005 and the first interception for a Rush linebacker since Etu Molden had three in 2005 ... starting linebacker D.J. Bleisath and starting wide receiver Buchie Ibeh both left the game early in the fourth quarter after suffering leg injuries.
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