Rush shuts down Kats, 45-21
May 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Nashville â Mike Ditka is going back to the playoffs for the first time since 1991. This time, however, it will be as a first-year owner of the AFL's Chicago Rush.
That's because his team clinched its fifth-consecutive playoff appearance with a dominating 45-21 win against the Nashville Kats (6-9-1) before 8,806 fans at the Gaylord Entertainment Center.
"I'm really proud of the way our guys played this afternoon, not just the end result," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "We played with a passion and energy that we haven't had in a while. It's an encouraging sign as we head into the quarterfinals."
The Rush (9-7) will travel to Los Angeles (10-6) for a quarterfinal contest against the Avengers on Sunday, May 29 at 2:30 p.m. Central time. Chicago lost to Los Angeles four weeks ago, 52-49, and hopes to enact some revenge next week.
"They're a very talented team and we'll have to play a lot like we did today to compete against them," said Hohensee. "But I like our chances."
The story of the game was authored, illustrated and published by a Rush defense that limited the Kats to just one second-half touchdown and recorded eight defensive stops, an incredible feat in the high-scoring AFL.
The Rush defense was led by defensive specialist Tony Lukins, who recorded a game-high eight tackles along with one pass break-up. His defensive back counterparts, Russell Shaw and Jeroid Johnson, tallied three tackles each and combined for three more passes broken up, while the Rush defensive line consistently pressured Nashville quarterback Leon Murray.
Chicago's defense allowed just one touchdown in each of the first three quarters, and kept the Kats out of its end zone completely in the fourth quarter.
Leading 35-21 after the third quarter, Chicago stopped the Kats on four consecutive drives, including two by forcing and then recovering fumbles. Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, Chicago added a 16-yard field goal by Keith Gispert and a 22-yard touchdown reception by DeJuan Alfonzo to close out the scoring.
After holding the Kats to just seven first-quarter points, Chicago matched its feat in the second frame, limiting Nashville again to a lone touchdown en route to a 21-14 halftime lead.
The defensive effort not only stifled the Kats, but also appeared to inspire the Rush offense, which scored touchdowns on all three of its second-quarter possessions.
Chicago evened the score at 7-7 at the start of the second quarter when quarterback Raymond Philyaw found offensive specialist Henry Douglas on a 1-yard option pass.
The Kats responded with their only score of the quarter on the next possession when Nashville's offensive specialist T.T. Toliver ran past the Rush secondary for a 45-yard score.
But Chicago mounted a 45-yard scoring drive of its own moments later, capped off by a nine-yard Molden touchdown reception on a crucial fourth-and-two conversion.
Tied 14-14, Chicago registered its second defensive stop of the half â and grabbed its first lead of the game, 21-14 â when fullback Charlie Cook rumbled 9-yards untouched into the end zone with less than two minutes remaining.
Nashville began its final drive from its own 13-yard line, and melted the clock away to just 13 seconds. There, for the third time in the half, the Rush halted a Nashville drive, this time on a fourth-and-one from its own 4-yard line.
Chicago's defense came to play from the opening kick, forcing the Kats into a 30-yard field goal attempt on the opening drive of the game.
Nashville kicker Tony Dodson missed wide left, offering the Rush an early advantage.
But Chicago wasted the opportunity. After driving down to the Nashville 15-yard line, the Rush was forced into a fourth-and-four. Opting against a field goal attempt, Chicago went for the first down. But after being pressured out of the pocket, Philyaw's pass was intercepted by Darryl Hammond on the Kats' 5-yard line.
The Rush defense clamped down again, forcing the Kats into another field goal attempt on the ensuing possession. But instead of booting the 48-yard attempt, Nashville faked the attempt when the holder, Jarrick Hillery, rushed 12-yards up the middle for a first down.
Two plays later, Murray hit Toliver on a 21-yard corner, giving Nashville a 7-0 lead.
Chicago was driving to its first score when the quarter ended, marking only the third time all season the team was shut out in a quarter.
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