Rush knocks off defending champs, 63-46, moves on to semifinals
Published on May 28, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Denver - In a game built on offense, it has been the Rush defense that has been the key to the team's late-season push, and the script was no different in Sunday's AFL conference semifinal game in Denver.
The Rush built an early 13-0 lead and never trailed as Chicago defeated the defending ArenaBowl champion Colorado Crush 63-46 in front of 13,258 fans at the Pepsi Center Sunday to advance to the AFL semifinals for the third-consecutive year and the fourth time in the last five seasons.
The Rush (9-9) now will play San Jose next Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. central. The game is a rematch of the 2004 AFL semifinal game in which San Jose defeated Chicago 49-35 to advance to ArenaBowl XVIII. The Rush defeated San Jose in overtime 54-48 earlier this year at Allstate Arena.
"I am really proud of guys," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "This is a great win. Our coaches and players worked hard all week and we came up with a plan that we thought would work. Colorado is a great team and they kept coming back at us all afternoon. But we kept our focus and made some big plays to get the win.
The Chicago defense turned in another outstanding performance forcing four turnovers - two of which it returned for touchdowns, and recovering a loose ball of the net for a score in the win.
With the Rush leading 6-0, WR/DB Dennison Robinson showed the defense was ready on Colorado's first possession, intercepting a John Dutton pass and returning it 45-yards for a touchdown to give the Rush an early 13-0 lead.
After the Crush narrowed the score to 16-14 with 8:52 remaining in the second quarter, the Rush went on a 17-0 run to close the half, taking a 33-14 lead the break. One of the big keys to the Rush lead was a goal line stand with less than one-minute remaining where the Chicago defense stopped Colorado four times from inside the Rush 3-yard line.
Colorado would not go away in the second half, however. The Crush battled back to cut the score to 36-27 and was threatening to score again when Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo scooped up a fumbled snap and returned it 20 yards to give the Rush a 43-27 lead.
With 2:06 remaining, The Crush narrowed the lead to 56-46 and recovered an onside kick to regain possession. However, Rush DS Jeremy Unertl intercepted a Dutton pass in the end zone with 47 seconds remaining to seal the win.
Notes: Rush kicker Dan Frantz was 3-4 on field goals, including two from more than 50 yards...OS Bobby Sippio led all Rush receivers with 10 catches for 164 yards and 1 TD...Alfonzo was named Ironman of the Game for the fourth-consecutive week. He caught seven passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns, recorded 3.0 tackles and recovered two fumbles, one of which he returned for a TD.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 28, 2006
- Sabercats to host American Conference Championship Game - San Jose SaberCats
- Rush knocks off defending champs, 63-46, moves on to semifinals - Chicago Rush
- Chicago, Orlando advance to conference championship games - AFL I
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