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Rush hold off Storm, 51-46

May 5, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa, FL - The Tampa Bay Storm (3-6) dropped its Monday Night game to the Chicago Rush (8-2) at the St. Pete Times Forum 46 to 51 as Rush quarterback Russ Michna ran for a season-high 35 yards and two touchdowns. Michna also threw for 184 yards and four touchdowns.

Michna came into the game leading the League in passer efficiency. However, it was not his arm that did damage to the Storm defense but rather his legs. Two of his four rushes went for touchdowns including a 25-yard scramble in the third quarter to put the Rush up by 13 as the Storm surrendered a season-high 59 yards rushing.

Lawrence Samuels led the way for the Storm as he caught nine passes for a hundred yards and two touchdowns and recorded and interception for the second consecutive game. With his nine receptions Samuels leap-froged Damien Harrell to move into second place all-time with 960 receptions and tied Cory Fleming for most consecutive games with a catch at 128 games.

Fullback/Linebacker Torrance Marshall proved why he earned AFL Ironman of the Month (April) as he ran for two touchdowns and added another touchdown on a fumble return late in the second quarter. However the defensive efforts of Marshall and Samuels were not enough overcome 14 penalties, two turnovers and injuries to defensive back Daryon Brutley (concussion) and offensive lineman Kenyatta Jones (calf).

Due to the injury of Jones on Tampa Bay's second offensive series defensive lineman Tom Briggs played both offensive and defensive line. Briggs, who came up with a sack and forced fumble at the end of the second quarter, played every down in the game after he replaced Jones.

While Harrell, the AFL's third all-time leading receiver, had a quite game with three receptions for 27 yards Travis LaTendresse had a big game as Michna's primary target. LaTendresse scored two touchdowns in the second quarter and a third in the opening drive of the second half for the Rush as he finished with nine receptions for 98 yards.

Former Storm defensive back and Armwood High (Tampa) standout Jonathan Ordway had a big game for Chicago with 120 return yards and 2.5 tackles and two pass breakups on defense. Fellow defensive back Dennison Robinson intercepted Dietz late in the second period. It was his eighth on the season a career high.

Notes * Lawrence Samuels caught a pass in his 128th consecutive game to move into a tie for most all-time in Arena League history. His second touchdown reception was the 160th in his career and his interception was the 30th of his career. * Dennis Robinson collected his 8th interception this season, a career high, and moved into tie with Calvin Spears (New Orleans) for most in the AFL this season. * Tom Briggs played every down after filling for an injured Kenyatta Jones * Kenyatta Jones injured his calf and did not return to the game; Daryon Brutley suffered a concussion on the first play of the game and did not return. They both will be evaluated on Tuesday. * Terrill Shaw had 129 yards receiving, his 35th career game with 100+ yards receiving (11th most in AFL history). It also pushed him over 7,000 receiving yards for his career. * Jeroid Johnson finished with 5.5 tackles to give him 502 for his career. He is the 11th player to accumulated 500 career tackles and now sits 10th all-time. * With two rushing touchdowns Torrance Marshall moved into third all-time in franchise history with 29 to surpass Shane Stafford.

The Storm hosts the New Orleans VooDoo (7-3) this Friday May 9 - 7:30 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum (Catch 47, 620 AM-WDAE). Tampa Bay must cast a spell on its division rival as the teams look to make a run for the playoffs. The Chicago Rush enters its bye week before hosting the Los Angeles Avengers Monday, May 19 at Allstate Arena.

AFL action continues Monday night on ESPN Russell Athletic Monday Night Football in a showdown of National Conference rivals as the Philadelphia Soul (9-1) travel to Georgia to take on the Force (4-5).

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