Rush runs over Rampage
May 8, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Grand Rapids, Mich. â The Chicago Rush ran up, over and through the Grand Rapids Rampage (1-12) Saturday night at Van Andel Arena, tying an AFL record with six rushing touchdowns during its easy 63-35 win.
Along the way, Chicago (9-4) set a franchise single-game rushing record with 61 yards, while tying its franchise high of nine regular season victories.
The win also places the Rush in the AFL playoff standing's third spot â where the top eight teams make the postseason -- with three regular-season games remaining.
"As a coach you're always worried about these âshould win' type of games," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "But our guys came out with a lot of desire on both sides of the ball and took care of business."
Veteran fullback Bob McMillen led Chicago's rushing barrage, carrying nine times for 35 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Fellow fullback Jamie McGourty added seven carries for 22 yards and one score.
Rush quarterback Raymond Philyaw saw his first action since suffering a knee injury two weeks ago and didn't skip a beat. In less than three quarters of action, Philyaw completed 15 of 17 attempts for 156 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Ray looked good," Hohensee said. "We tried to limit his activity but he looked like his old self out there."
Chicago put together a solid defensive effort as well, holding the Rampage to under 40 points and just 155 yards of total offense, while recording three sacks and two interceptions.
Rush all-Arena lineman John Moyer recorded one of the sacks, his seventh on the season, which placed him atop the league leaders in 2004 and ninth on the AFL's all-time list with 25.
It was Chicago's newest lineman, however, that made the earliest impact.
On just his second play in a Chicago uniform, former Detroit Fury lineman Jon McCall shared a sack with WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman, setting the defensive tempo while sending a message to Rampage quarterback Anthony Buich to prepare for a long evening.
And a long evening he had, completing only 12 of 22 attempts for 112 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Rush defensive specialist Greg Williams led the defense with four tackles.
At the break, the Rush led 28-15.
Chicago was nearly flawless in the first half, converting on four of five possessions, with the lone exception being a missed 34-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Philyaw was sharp early, connecting on 12 of 13 first-half attempts for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Etu Molden continued his excellent rookie play as well, registering two receiving touchdowns and one rushing score in the half.
Although Philyaw looked comfortable moving around in the pocket, completing four of his first five attempts for 34 yards, Hohensee intentionally altered his play calls to ease him back into action.
In fact, Chicago did most of its damage on the ground, rushing for 35 first-quarter yards including touchdown runs of 15 and 4-yards by McMillen and Molden, respectively.
Grand Rapids tallied its lone touchdown on a 5-yard screen pass from Buich to lineman Ramon Luster, and trailed 14-6 at the quarter.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 8, 2004
- Dragons Bite Cobras - New York Dragons
- Rush runs over Rampage - Chicago Rush
- Cobras Fall, 61-39, To Red-Hot Dragons - Carolina Cobras
- SaberCats at Rattlers - San Jose SaberCats
- Firebirds win over Fury, 68-59 - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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.
