Rush, Gispert boot Crush, 51-48
February 13, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
With only eight of the 17 Arena Football League teams eligible to make the postseason, every game counts.
And when the game pits division rivals and 2005 ArenaBowl contenders against one another, every possession is magnified even more.
Sunday's game between the Rush and Colorado Crush, before more than 16,000 rowdy fans at Denver's Pepsi Center, came down to the final seconds as Chicago kicker Keith Gispert converted a 21-yard field goal to secure an unbelievable 51-48 win and lift Chicago's record to 2-1.
"I just go through every kick the same way," said Gispert, who converted two other key field goals in the game. "I believe in myself and know I'm capable of making the kicks.
"It's a huge win for us and I'm glad I played a part in it."
Chicago's chances didn't appear too good late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 48-40 with less than a minute remaining, Rush quarterback Raymond Philyaw connected with WR/LB Etu Molden to bring the Rush within two at 48-46.
Chicago's ensuing two-point conversion, a completed pass from Philyaw to WR/DB Russell Shaw, was ruled out-of-bounds, leaving Chicago trailing by two with 32 seconds remaining.
Then Gispert took over.
First, Gispert booted a perfect, high-bounding onside kick, recovered by Molden at Colorado's 11-yard line. Then, with just six seconds on the clock, he converted the game-winning kick.
"It was an unbelievable game between two very talented teams," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "We've been on the other end of these types of games before, so it feels real nice to get this one.
"I have a feeling that we'll be seeing the Crush a few more times this season."
After Gispert's kick gave the Rush a 49-48 lead, Colorado tried a series of laterals to keep the ball alive on the game's final play. When the Rush defense forced the ball to be lateraled out of the end zone as time expired, the Rush was awarded a safety, and a three-point victory.
Philyaw threw for 409 yards â a career-best â along with five touchdowns and two interceptions. His main target was new offensive specialist Henry Douglas, who caught 13 passes for 192 yards and three scores. Douglas caught just 19 passes for 189 yards all of last year as a rookie with the Los Angeles Avengers.
Molden also played well, grabbing two touchdowns and the crucial onside kick recovery.
Colorado's quarterback, John Dutton, also was impressive. Dutton completed 26 of 39 passes for six touchdowns and just one interception. His leading receiver was Crush offensive specialist Damian Harrell, a second-team All-Arena selection in 2004, who caught six passes for 53 yards and three touchdowns.
Following a Gispert 29-yard field goal as time expired in the first half the teams went to the locker rooms tied at 27-27. The score was symbolic of the entire first 30 minutes.
The teams exchanged scores â and leads â from the onset. Both teams scored on their first three possessions, with the Crush holding a 21-17 advantage with less than four minutes remaining in the half.
Then, in the next two plays, both teams committed turnovers.
Chicago had the first miscue when, on second-and-20, Philyaw was hit in the pocket while throwing. The ball sprang up in the air just a few yards past the line of scrimmage, eventually corralled by Crush WR/LB Andy McCullough at Chicago's 16-yard line.
With Colorado poised for another touchdown, Chicago's WR/DB Russell Shaw intervened. Shaw made a spectacular, one-handed interception in the Rush end zone on the ensuing play, squelching Colorado's brief advantage.
Following the turnovers, the teams resumed their methodical and efficient scoring ways.
Chicago regained the lead on a 26-yard strike from Philyaw to Douglas. The Crush then pieced together a quick, five-play drive that resulted in an 11-yard touchdown from Dutton to Kevin McKenzie.
But a missed extra point by Crush kicker Clay Rush held Colorado's lead at 27-24, erased seconds later by Gispert's kick.
Philyaw completed the first half 16-of-23 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. His counterpart, Dutton, completed 13-of-19 throws for 131 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as well.
Philyaw was sharp early, completing his first five passes while leading the Rush deep into Colorado territory. But the drive stalled after Philyaw intentionally threw the ball into the stands on third-and-goal from Colorado's 2-yard line. Gispert converted the 16-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage.
Colorado then used just three plays to take the lead.
Following a 9-yard completion to McCullough, Dutton hit WR/DB Willis Marshall on a 35-yard strike, setting up a first-and-goal from Chicago's 1-yard line. Marshall finished what he began moments later when he crossed the goal line untouched, securing the Crush a 7-3 lead.
The Rush found the end zone on its next attempt, a seven-play, 45-yard drive capped off by a bruising 6-yard run by FB/LB Jamie McGourty. Gispert's PAT gave the Rush a 10-7 lead after one.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 13, 2005
- Soul's new additions pave way to win - Philadelphia Soul
- Kats Comeback Falls Short in Philly - Nashville Kats
- VooDoo win home opener over SaberCats, 62-61 - New Orleans VooDoo
- Desperados Outlast Columbus, 35-31 - Dallas Desperados
- Crush Falls to Rush, 49-48 - Colorado Crush
- Turnovers prove costly as Destroyers fall to Desperados, 35-31 - Columbus Destroyers
- New Orleans Edges SaberCats In Home Opener - San Jose SaberCats
- Rush, Gispert boot Crush, 51-48 - Chicago Rush
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