Rush steamrolls Rampage 70-47
May 13, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Grand Rapids, Mich - Going into the weekend there were several scenarios in which the Rush could earn its sixth-consecutive playoff spot. However, Chicago only was concerned about one option - if it defeated the Grand Rapids Rampage it knew it would go to the ArenaBowl playoffs.
For the second straight week the Rush dominated the game, beating Grand Rapids 70-47 to earn its spot in the postseason.
"We didn't want to leave it up to anyone else," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "Our guys took the field with a great intensity and proved they belong in the playoffs. Our offense looked good and the defense dominated again. I don't think there is a team out there that wants to play us right now."
The Rush (7-9) ended the season winning three of its last four games to reach the postseason. In the three wins Rush QB Matt D'Orazio completed 60 of 87 passes for 806 yards and 21 touchdowns without throwing an interception, and the Rush outscored its opponents 221 to 142.
The Rush now awaits the outcome of Saturday night's Nashville-Tampa Bay game. If Nashville defeats Tampa Bay, it will earn the number four seed and host the fifth-seeded Rush next weekend. However, if Tampa Bay was to win, the Rush would get the four seed and host the Utah Blaze at Allstate Arena on Sunday, May 21, at 2 p.m. Central.
The Rush defense, led by WR/DB Dennison Robinson, continued its stellar play that began last week against Utah. The ADT Defensive Player of the Game recorded 8.5 tackles, two interceptions and forced a fumble in the game.
The forced fumble was, perhaps, the key play as it came with the Rush leading 14-7 and Grand Rapids threatening to score the game-tying TD.
On first-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Rampage FB Chris Ryan was hit by Robinson and fumbled the ball into the end zone where Charlie Cook recovered it for a touchback.
Four plays later D'Orazio hit Bobby Sippio with a 23-yard touchdown pass to put the Rush up 21-7.
Grand Rapids would cut the score to 21-17 with 2:41 left in the first half, but the Rush responded with a Charlie Cook two-yard touchdown catch and a DeJuan Alfonzo 24-yard TD reception sandwiched around the first Robinson interception to take a 35-17 halftime lead.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 13, 2006
- Soul clich playoff berth, defeat Force 57-41 - Philadelphia Soul
- Kats clinch home playoff game with win - Nashville Kats
- Waiting Game, Georgia 41 Philadelphia 57 - Georgia Force
- Destroyers Playoff Update - Columbus Destroyers
- Rampage loses 2006 regular season finale - Grand Rapids Rampage
- AFL records fall in season finales - AFL I
- Rush steamrolls Rampage 70-47 - Chicago Rush
- Blaze win expansion bowl in final seconds, 55-54 - Utah Blaze
- Brigade loses 55-54 heartbreaker to Utah - Kansas City Brigade
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