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Rush, Salisbury down Detroit, 57-40

May 2, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


Auburn Hills, Mich. – With starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw sidelined with a knee injury – and the Rush in the throws of a two-game losing streak -- back-up Chad Salisbury needed his first start of the season to be a good one.

Consider it a job well done.

Salisbury led the Rush back into the win column Sunday with a 57-40 win against the Detroit Fury at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The win puts the Rush (8-4) right back into contention for home-field playoff advantage, while the Fury (4-8) must win the rest of their games to have an outside chance.

"Chad proved a lot this afternoon," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "He showed the poise and leadership we needed, and delivered a heck of a clutch performance.

"It's nice to know that, if we have to, we can win some games without Ray in the line-up."

Salisbury appeared to gain confidence as the game progressed. After a rough first half, Salisbury finished 19 of 32 for 216 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a late touchdown and avoided any interceptions.

Rush fullback Bob McMillen also stepped up his game, rushing for 41 yards on six carries, including an 18-yard touchdown scamper at the beginning of the fourth quarter. For the season, McMillen has set a career high with 197 yards. Earlier this season McMillen became just the fifth player in Arena Football League history to rush for more than 1,000 career yards

Rush WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo pieced together his finest game in a Rush jersey. The second-year player from Indiana State hauled in two touchdown receptions and picked off an Andy Kelley pass in the third quarter that turned the game Chicago's way.

"I give a lot of credit to Coach Hohensee for that interception," said Alfonzo, joking. "He ran scout team this week and threw a ton of bad passes."

The first half shared no resemblance to Chicago's last meeting against Detroit in March, a high-scoring affair where the teams combined for nearly 150 points.

This Sunday was different, as both defenses showed up in the first half, limiting the scoring to just four field goals and two touchdowns.

And Chicago, adjusting to its back-up quarterback throughout the half, mustered enough offensive firepower to maintain a 20-13 halftime advantage.

Leading 6-3, Chicago grabbed a 13-3 advantage early in the second quarter when Salisbury found Alfonzo for a 4-yard touchdown.

Detroit finally scored its first touchdown of the half with only 56 seconds remaining when Kelly connected with Fury WR/LB Carl Bond on an 11-yard slant. Chicago countered just 30-seconds later when Salisbury found lineman James Baron on a 12-yard screen for a 20-10 lead with 26 seconds left.

It proved to be enough time, however, as Kelly led the Fury downfield, culminating in a 32-yard field goal as time expired.

Salisbury and the Rush looked rusty early.

Chicago's two first-quarter possessions limped along, with Salisbury trying to find his rhythm – and the end zone – unsuccessfully. He completed just 5 of 10 attempts for 50 yards and failed on two key third-down attempts.

Rush kicker Keith Gispert was sharp, however, and converted on both field goal attempts, from 49 and 24-yards, to account for Chicago's only first-quarter points.

Fury kicker Mark Lewis split the uprights from 16-yards out, cutting Chicago's lead in half at 6-3.

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