Rush Keeps Cobras Winless
May 4, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Charlotte â There's nothing more dangerous than playing a team desperately seeking its first win of the season. Yet, at the same time, there's nothing easier than playing a team anxiously waiting for a miserable season to end.
The question for the Rush prior to facing the winless Carolina Cobras was which team would show up.
The answer was obvious, as Chicago clobbered Carolina (0-14) Sunday afternoon 57-38 at Charlotte Coliseum.
"We prepared for Carolina the same way we prepared for Grand Rapids and Los Angeles," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "I was very pleased with the way our guys came into town and took care of business."
The win was Chicago's fourth in five weeks and, for the first time all season, evened the team's record at 7-7.
Speaking of records, Rush offensive specialist Antonio Chatman again added his name to the AFL archives during Sunday's performance, becoming just the fourth player in AFL history to record 25 receiving touchdowns, 100 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and 1,000 return yards in a single season.
For the game, Chatman caught 10 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, while garnering 108 return yards including a 58-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
"AC (Antonio Chatman) can rewrite the AFL record books if he stays healthy," said Hohensee. "In less than two seasons he has figured out the nuances of this game. He's only going to get better."
Rush quarterback Billy Dicken certainly has played better the last month of the season. Against the Cobras, Dicken pieced together another efficient performance, completing 19 of 28 attempts for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
The key, as it has been during Chicago's recent turnaround, was limiting turnovers, and over the past five weeks Dicken has thrown 25 touchdowns with only three interceptions.
"It's no secret that our success on the field has been directly attributed to limiting our turnovers," said Hohensee.
The first half was controlled by Chicago's defense, which limited the Cobras to just 16 points on seven offensive possessions. Meanwhile, Chicago's offense held up its end of the deal as well, converting on four of five chances, to take a comfortable 26-16 lead into halftime.
Dicken wasn't sharp early, but still completed 12 of 18 attempts for 161 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. His main target was Chatman, who hauled in seven catches for 86 yards and two scores.
The Rush had thievery on its mind early, attempting an onside kick to begin the game. Although Chicago recovered, it was called for offsides and Carolina was awarded the ball at the Rush 7-yard line.
But the team's special team's aggressiveness transferred to its defense, which promptly shut the Cobras down.
After Carolina missed a 30-yard field goal attempt, Chicago quickly covered the remaining 45-yards, capped off by a 1-yard plunge by WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman for a 7-0 lead.
The Cobras found Chicago's end zone moments later when Patridge hit WR/LB Chris Johnson on a 10-yard slant pass. But Carolina's extra point attempt was blocked by lineman James Baron and immediately scooped up by WR/DB Cornelius Bonner, who scampered untouched down the sideline for a two-point score and a 9-6 lead.
Chicago added to its lead on the ensuing play from scrimmage, when Chatman made a spectacular one-handed grab on a quick out pattern before beating his man for a 45-yard touchdown. With kicker Keith Gispert's extra point, the Rush owned a 16-6 lead after one quarter.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 4, 2003
- AFL Week 14 Game Summaries - AFL I
- Rush Keeps Cobras Winless - Chicago Rush
- Cobras Suffer AFL Record-Tying 14th Loss - Carolina Cobras
- Desperados Start Playoff Push in Georgia - Dallas Desperados
- Desperados Fall to League Leading Storm - Dallas Desperados
- Gladiators Upended by Dragons - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rampage Fall to Sabercats in Heartbreaker, 56-55 - Grand Rapids Rampage
- San Jose nips Rampage, 56-55 - San Jose SaberCats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
