Rush succumbs to VooDoo in overtime, 46-40
March 20, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
A tremendous effort is not always enough to get the job done against an outstanding opponent.
The Rush found this out the hard way in its 46-40 overtime loss to the New Orleans VooDoo Sunday at Allstate Arena. Even though the Rush defense held New Orleans (6-2) to one touchdown in the third and fourth quarters, it could not take advantage and produce the victory. As a result, Chicago's record slipped to 4-4 as it failed to climb the ladder in its pursuit of the Colorado Crush in the AFL's Central Division.
Chicago appeared to gain new life at the end of regulation when New Orleans kicker Brian Schmitz â a Park Ridge native â missed a 27-yard FG attempt on the final play of the fourth quarter.
The Rush won the toss and took possession to start overtime and, after a pass from Raymond Philyaw to Etu Molden gave the Rush a first down at midfield, the team appeared to be in a perfect position to get the go-ahead score. However, Philyaw picked the wrong time to throw his only interception of the game. He threw into double coverage and Chris Pointer came up with the interception for the VooDoo deep in New Orleans territory.
New Orleans QB Andy Kelly, the league's second-ranked passer, took advantage of the break and led his team smartly downfield. His eight-yard TD pass to WR Aaron Bailey with 9:18 remaining in OT won the game for New Orleans.
After trailing at halftime, Chicago's defense made a major statement early in the third quarter. The Rush failed to come up with the opening kickoff after an errant bounce off the net and New Orleans ended up with possession inside the Chicago three. The Rush defense refused to yield. Defensive end John Moyer grabbed RB Leroy Thompson and stripped the ball at the one-yard line and defensive specialist Jeroid Johnson picked up the ball and returned it 10 yards. That play ignited Chicago and Philyaw hit Etu Molden with a 27-yard TD pass to give the Rush a 35-33 lead.
The Rush extended the lead to 40-33 on a safety and a Keith Gispert field goal. However, Chicago could not get into the endzone again. New Orleans tied the game midway through the fourth quarter when Kelly hit Carl Bond with a 16-yard TD pass. Both defenses tightened up after that.
In the first half, both teams were sharp. The VooDoo's offense was extremely efficient, scoring on each of its possessions. The Rush responded every time, but New Orleans was setting the tone since head coach Mike Neu's team put the first score on the board and the Rush was forced to counterpunch.
New Orleans got on the board early in the first when Leroy Thompson pounded the ball in from a yard out. Henry Douglas helped the Rush respond immediately as he took the ensuing kickoff 58 yards for a score. Jamie McGourty and John Sikora had key blocks along the way.
Kelly then put his passing game on display, hooking up with Bond for the first of three first-half scores. Philyaw and the Rush responded each time. Molden scored on a one-yard quick-hitting run up the gut to tie the score at 14 and then the passing game took over. Philyaw hit John Moyer with a beautifully designed one-yard scoring pass midway through the second quarter and then connected with Jeremy McDaniel on a nine-yard TD pass with just 35 seconds left in the half to give Chicago a 28-27 lead.
It looked as if that play would hold up, but Kelly's 14-yard scoring pass enabled New Orleans to take a 33-28 lead into the lockerroom at halftime.
The Rush head into the bye with a 4-4 record. The team returns to action April 2 at New York.
RUSH BITS: Philyaw had a solid game, completing 23-of-32 passes for 261 yards with three TDs and an interception coming on his final throw of the game. ... Douglas had an impressive game with 238 total yards â 137 coming on kickoff returns. ... Kelly hurt the Rush with his quick release all game. He completed 34-of-46 for 311 yards with six TDs and no interceptions. Bond was his leading receiver with 11 receptions for 126 yards and four scores. ... Johnson and Todd Howard finished as the leading tacklers for the Rush. Both were credited with 11 stops. ... A crowd of 13,614 witnessed the last-second finish.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 20, 2005
- Turnovers lead to sixth loss of season for Destroyers - Columbus Destroyers
- Soul light up scoreboard in 69-63 win over Storm - Philadelphia Soul
- Rush succumbs to VooDoo in overtime, 46-40 - Chicago Rush
- Gladiators pull out victory in Arizona, 66-63 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Rattlers fall to Gladiators, Bonner hurt - Arizona Rattlers
- Dragons lassoed in Austin - New York Dragons
- Wranglers shock Dragons, 57-47 - Austin Wranglers
- Preds lose McEntyre, game - Orlando Predators
- Force continue to dominate the South, beat Predators 49-47 - Georgia Force
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