Rush hold off Kats, 45-38
March 6, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Injuries and a two-game losing streak could have left the Chicago Rush in a vulnerable position when the Nashville Kats came to the Allstate Arena. Instead, the Rush played with fire and determination in a 45-38 victory in front of 15,881 fans.
QB Raymond Philyaw was sidelined with a sprained MCL and that left the QB chores to veteran backup Todd Hammel. After a rough first series, Hammel looked strong and in control while throwing five touchdown passes and taking advantage of a vulnerable Nashville defense.
The Rush moved back to the .500 mark with the win. They will try to improve their 3-3 record next week at Grand Rapids. Nashville fell to 1-5.
The win enabled the Rush to avoid its first three-game losing streak since the 2003 season.
The Rush defense stepped up in a big way against Nashville. QB Tony Zimmerman was never given a chance to get comfortable as the Rush put significant pressure on him throughout the game. As a result, Zimmerman (25-48 for 227 yards) had a difficult time connecting with receivers who were open much of the time.
The Rush took complete control of the game midway through the fourth quarter when Hammel threw his final TD pass of the game to offensive specialist C.J. Johnson. The Rush moved the ball downfield and got into scoring position when Etu Molden drew a pass interference penalty in the endzone. Hammel then sidestepped the pass rush and found Johnson on the comeback pattern.
That touchdown turned out to be very important since Nashville mounted a major comeback in the late stages. Zimmerman threw two TD passes in the final minute to WR Darryl Hammond and that allowed Nashville to keep the final score respectable.
But for the majority of the game, Chicago's defense was focused to turn things around against Nashville. After giving up 100 points in back-to-back losses against Columbus and Orlando in the previous two games, the defense decided to make a statement.
In the normally high-octane world of Arena Football, the Rush did not give up a first down in the first quarter. At the same time, Hammel was beginning to get warmed up. He threw three TD passes in the first half and appeared to warm to the task after a shaky start.
In Hammel's first series, he fumbled on consecutive plays. The second came in the endzone and while Hammel was able to pick it up, the Rush gave up a safety when the quarterback flipped the ball into the sideline boards and was called for intentional grounding.
Chicago's defense got in Zimmerman's face on the ensuing series and would not let him get comfortable. After a three-and-out, Chicago bounced back and took the lead on Hammel's 12-yard TD pass to DeJuan Alfonzo.
Keith Gispert added a 22-yard field goal in the late stages of the first quarter before Nashville got on the board when former Northwestern RB Levelle Brown scored on a one-yard run.
The Rush refused to let the Kats take the momentum. Johnson, who was elevated from the practice squad shortly before the start of the game due to an injury to Jeremy McDaniel, caught a screen pass from Hammel and raced 34 yards for his first AFL touchdown.
Hammel padded the lead when the found Etu Molden with a 14-yard TD pass at the 54-second mark. That touchdown came after Nashville kicker Gary Kral connected on a 50-yard field goal.
The Rush appeared as if they would take a 24-12 lead into the lockerroom at halftime when the defense wrapped up RB Dan Alexander for no gain inside the 5, but officials ruled there was one second left on the clock. On the final play of the half, Zimmerman hit Hammond with a six-yard TD pass, allowing the Kats to close to 24-18.
RUSH RAMBLINGS: Chicago improved its all-time home record to 24-11. Chicago is 9-3 at home since the start of the 2004 season. ... Former Rush players James Baron, Levelle Brown and Lindsay Fleshman all lined up for the Kats against their former team. ... Bob McMillen became the fourth player in AFL history to exceed the 1,200-yard rushing mark for his career. He picked up 25 yards and a touchdown on 5 carries and has 1,213 yards for his career. ... Hammel completed 20 of 31 passes for 223 yards with 5 touchdowns and two interceptions in his first start of the year. ... C.J. Johnson made his first AFL game a memorable one. He caught seven passes for 100 yards with two TD passes. ... WR/DB Etu Molden caught 6 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown and also added a second-half interception.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 6, 2005
- Storm blast Rampage, 70-50, to pick up third win - Tampa Bay Storm
- Kats roar back, but fall by seven - Nashville Kats
- Rampage engulfed by Storm, 70-50 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Soul fall 61-54 in Fuller's head coaching debut - Philadelphia Soul
- Rush hold off Kats, 45-38 - Chicago Rush
- SaberCats Stop Skid With Win Over Orlando - San Jose SaberCats
- Mistakes Cost Desperados in 53-51 Loss - Dallas Desperados
- VooDoo beat Desperados, 53-51 - New Orleans VooDoo
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