Rush rides out the storm 51-46
May 5, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Tampa - While it might not have been pretty, it still counts as a win as the Chicago Rush found a way to hold off the Tampa Bay Storm 51-46 Monday night at the St. Pete Times Forum.
With the Rush leading by five points and just 28 seconds left to play, Rush defensive back Dennison Robinson recovered a Storm on-side kick at the Tampa Bay 22-yard line and Chicago (8-2) was able to run out the clock for its fourth-consecutive win.
The Rush now enters its bye week with a three-and-a-half game lead in the Central Division. After a week off, Chicago returns to action Monday, May 19 against the Los Angeles Avengers at Allstate Arena.
Rush quarterback Russ Michna improved to 5-0 as a starter, completing 18 of 32 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns. Michna also ran for 35 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver Travis LaTendresse was Michna's favorite target, catching nine passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns.
"I was proud of the way we battled tonight," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "There were some moments when the game could have turned against us, but we came up with some big plays when we needed them. It is a great way to go into the bye week and get some rest."
In a see-saw game that was tied 24-24 at the half, the Rush took control in the third quarter, taking the opening kickoff and methodically moving down the field. Michna then capped a 46-yard drive with an eight-yard TD pass to LaTendresse for a 31-24 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, kicker Dan Frantz forced a fumble by Storm return man Sedrick Robinson. The fumble was recovered by Liam Ezekiel for the Rush, giving the offense possession at midfield.
Two plays later, Michna scrambled out of the pocket and ran for a 25-yard touchdown to give Chicago a 37-24 lead.
However, the Storm would not go quietly, cutting the lead to 37-30 when fullback Torrance Marshall scored on a two-yard run.
Chicago had a chance to take a 14-point lead to open the fourth quarter, but linebacker Lawrence Samuels intercepted a Michna pass in the end zone and returned it to the Storm 21-yard line.
Tampa could not fully capitalize on the interception and tie the game. Instead, the Storm was forced to settle for a 19-yard Seth Marler field goal to cut the lead to 37-33 with 9:25 remaining.
One play after a Jonathan Ordway kick return set the Rush up at the Tampa 11-yard line, Damian Harrell caught a pass in corner of the end zone for a TD, giving the Rush a 44-33 lead.
The Storm came right back, cutting the score to 44-39 on another Marshall two-yard run. However, when Marler missed his second extra point of the game, the Rush held on to its five point lead with 2:20 to play.
The teams exchanged touchdowns in the final minutes, with Michna scoring on a six-yard run to put the Rush up 51-39 and Storm wide receiver Robinson catching a five-yard TD pass to reach the final margin.
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