Rush Hand Rampage Second Straight Defeat, 54-46

Published on April 27, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


ROSEMONT, Ill. - For the first time this season, the Grand Rapids Rampage dropped its second consecutive contest, falling, 54-46, to the Chicago Rush (6-7) in front of 13,050 fans at Allstate Arena.

After opening an early 7-0 lead, the Rampage (8-5) never led again in the game. Grand Rapids' second straight loss, coupled with Dallas' second straight win, dropped the Rampage into a two-way tie for the Central Division lead, with only three games remaining in the 2003 regular season.

Rush quarterback Billy Dicken earned game MVP honors, completing 20-of-24 passes for 235 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Cornelius Bonner, who was named Ironman of the Game, caught five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown on offense, and recorded four tackles on defense. Antonio Chatman led the Rush with eight catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns. In defeat, Clint Dolezel completed 22-of-38 passes for 296 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Terrill Shaw, Willis Marshall and Steve Smith each caught a touchdown apiece. Dolezel, Smith and Chris Avery scored the Rampage's other three touchdowns by way of the ground.

The game couldn't have started off better for the Rampage, as Dolezel's first rushing TD of the season was followed up with Mark Ricks' end zone interception of Dicken. With a 7-0 lead and the ball, Grand Rapids looked to go up two scores, but an exchange glitch between Dolezel and Travis McDonald resulted in a James Baron fumble recovery. Two plays later, Chicago knotted the score at 7-7 when Dicken found Chatman for a 5-yard score. On their ensuing drive, the Rampage drove the ball down to the Rush 20-yard line, but Marvin Taylor's interception of Dolezel at the 11-yard line made sure the score remained tied after one. Grand Rapids had a chance to keep the score knotted at the half, but the Rampage had to settle for a 21-yard Brian Gowins field goal with just two seconds remaining in the second frame, giving the Rush a 28-24 halftime lead.

Chicago pushed its lead to 41-31 after three, thanks to rushing touchdowns by Bob McMillen and Jamie McGourty. The Rampage's lone score of the quarter came on a 34-yard strike from Dolezel to Marshall at the 7:09 mark of the third.

The two teams finished out the final frame by again trading touchdowns. Chicago added another ground score from McMillen and another air strike from Dicken to Chatman, while Dolezel threw touchdowns two and three to Shaw and Smith. Grand Rapids finishes up its final road swing of the 2003 regular season next Saturday against the San Jose SaberCats. The game, which kicks off at 10:30 p.m. (ET), will be a matchup of the last two ArenaBowl champions.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 27, 2003


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