Rush shocked in Columbus, 52-39
February 19, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Columbus â This loss hurt the Chicago Rush. Literally.
The Columbus Destroyers (1-2) recorded their first win of the season â and first for new head coach Chris Spielman â while easily handling the Rush 52-39 before 17,171 fans at Nationwide Arena.
And the loss hurt more than Chicago's (2-2) record, as both starting quarterback Raymond Philyaw (sprained knee) and offensive specialist Henry Douglas (groin) left the game with injuries. The severity of their injuries was not determined at press time.
"We were out of rhythm all game," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "Nothing clicked for us offensively, and on defense we put a lot of pressure on their guy but didn't tackle well and never made the big play."
"Their" guy is Columbus quarterback Matt D'Orazio who was making his first career start.
D'Orazio played like an Arena Football veteran, nimbly avoiding sacks while maintaining his composure in the pocket. He completed 26 of 33 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns. His sole interception came on a ball that ricocheted off the end zone nets into the hands of a diving Etu Molden.
Philyaw, on the other hand, had a rough evening. While he completed 22 of 32 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns, he overthrew several receivers and tossed a crucial interception on the Destroyers goal line in the second half.
He was replaced late in the third quarter by back-up quarterback Todd Hammel. Hammel played well in his brief stint, throwing for one score and rushing for another
The two teams reversed identities in the first half, with the winless Destroyers playing near-flawless football while the Central Division-leading Rush appearing out-of-synch and careless.
The score was indicative of Chicago's performance, as the Destroyers held a 35-26 lead at halftime.
Following a 58-yard kickoff return by Henry Douglass to begin the second quarter â during which Douglas aggravated his groin and left the game, the Rush looked on the verge of turning the momentum in its favor.
But D'Orazio kept the Chicago defense off-balance with four rare rushing attempts and precise passing while leading Columbus to touchdowns on all four of their possessions.
In the first half he completed 13 of 15 passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 18 key rushing yards.
He also was aided by a 56-yard Columbus kickoff return for a touchdown, courtesy of WR/DB Sedrick Robinson that gave the Destroyers a 28-20 lead late in the second quarter.
Philyaw's numbers were almost identical, as he completed 18 of 23 passes for 182 yards and three scores. But Chicago's offense regularly was disrupted by several holding penalties and constant pressure from the Destroyers' line.
Chicago was sloppy on its first possession of the game and fumbled on two consecutive plays, the latter of which â by Douglas following a 9-yard reception -- was recovered by Columbus on its own 6-yard line.
And the Destroyers wasted no time in making the Rush pay.
D'Orazio looked comfortable leading Columbus on a five-play, 44-yard drive. Besides completing two of his first three passes, he also scrambled for an 8-yard bootleg that put the Destroyers on Chicago's 1-yard line.
Fullback Chris Pope completed the drive with a 1-yard plunge up the middle for a 7-0 lead.
The Rush countered on its second possession, capped off by an 8-yard strike from Philyaw to WR/LB DeJuan Alfonzo. Chicago faked the extra-point, but Alfonzo was stopped inches short of the goalline, allowing Columbus to hold a 7-6 advantage.
Despite being repeatedly hurried and knocked down, D'Orazio kept his composure and led Columbus right back down the field. Their seven-play drive ended when D'Orazio found WR/DB Lenzie Jackson for a 15-yard touchdown reception and a 14-6 lead after one quarter.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 19, 2005
- D'Orazio sparks Destroyers to first win of the season - Columbus Destroyers
- Wranglers beat Rampage for first win of season, 73-61 - Austin Wranglers
- New York Dragons Tame Kats - New York Dragons
- Dragons defeat Kats - Nashville Kats
- Rush shocked in Columbus, 52-39 - Chicago Rush
- Joe Germaine to Make Third AFL Start - Arizona Rattlers
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