Rush upends Rampage, 50-30
Published on February 8, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
The 16-game Arena Football League season starts with the first step, and the Rush made it a bold one in a 50-30 victory over the Grand Rapids Rampage before 15,082 fans at the Allstate Arena in the season opener for both teams.
The Rush (1-0) used the screen pass and QB Raymond Philyaw's ability to buy time with his feet and then score on short runs to dictate the pace of the game and keep the Rampage on their heels.
Philyaw ran for three touchdowns and also threw two TD passes in his first game in a Chicago uniform. Philyaw's first TD pass was a 38-yarder to Lindsay Fleshman in the second quarter. Philyaw got rid of the ball quickly to Fleshman on the outside, who after the catch, made two moves to get in the open and then raced downfield for the score.
Philyaw also connected with DeJuan Alfonzo on a 39-yard scoring pass that was very similar to the one that Fleshman caught.
"We were very excited at the beginning of the game and we had a few penalties, but then we got our timing and our legs," Philyaw said. "We should be fine the rest of the way.
"We felt we could do a few things with the screen pass. Our timing was good and guys like Lindsay and DeJuan have the kind of speed and moves to make a lot of big plays. I look forward to being a part of this team the rest of the season.
Philyaw excels at managing the game. He has thrown just 15 interceptions in his previous four years and he did not throw any against Grand Rapids.
The Rush defense did an outstanding job of shutting down the Grand Rapids offense. The Rampage had just 92 passing yards and 107 total yards â both were Grand Rapids franchise lows. Fleshman and Greg Williams had interceptions for Chicago.
The Rush started the game by scoring on their first possession. Following an effective kick return by Etu Molden, Philyaw drove the team smartly down the field and offensive specialist Jeremy McDaniel opened the scoring with a two-yard run.
The lead was short lived, as Grand Rapids offensive specialist Steve Smith took the ensuing kickoff 54 yards for a touchdown. The teams traded touchdowns after that and Grand Rapids held a 14-13 lead after a quarter.
After Fleshman scored his first touchdown on the pass from Philyaw, he found the endzone again. Playing the spy role from the LB position, Fleshman anticipated Jeff Loots' pass into the right flat, leaped high for the ball and came down with it on balance. He returned the ball 10 yards for a touchdown, giving the Rush a 26-14 lead.
After Chris Avery scored on a one-yard TD run for Grand Rapids, Philyaw went back to the screen pass. He hit Alfonzo, who took it 37 yards for the score. Grand Rapids threatened on its next possession, but Loots' fumbled snap deep in Rush territory turned into a Keith Gispert 33-yard field goal, giving the Rush a 36-20 halftime lead.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 8, 2004
- Storm knock off Predators, 52-41 - Orlando Predators
- Week one attendance sets four records - AFL I
- Storm open season in style with win over Orlando - Tampa Bay Storm
- Rattlers Drop Opener to Avengers, 51-32 - Arizona Rattlers
- Rush upends Rampage, 50-30 - Chicago Rush
- Cobras Roll Over Desperados, 67-41 - Carolina Cobras
- Defense lifts Destroyers over Firebirds in season opener - Columbus Destroyers
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