Rush wins fifth straight, 66-54 over Nashville

Published on April 7, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


Nashville - In a sloppy defensive struggle that saw the teams combine for seven turnovers, 26 penalties and two Nashville ejections, the Chicago Rush improved to 5-1, winning its fifth-consecutive game by outlasting the Kats 66-54 in front of 7,332 fans at the Gaylord Entertainment Center Saturday night.

Rush wide receiver Bobby Sippio tied his own team-record set last year with six touchdown receptions and quarterback Matt D'Orazio passed for 179 yards as the Rush heads into its bye week with a two-game lead over Colorado in the Central Division.

"It was a typical Chicago-Nashville Central Division battle," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "It was a very physical game, but we were able to keep our composure and make plays when we needed them. I am very proud of the way we are playing at this point in the season."

The Rush defense again set the tone for the team, adding to its league-lead in forced turnovers with four more Saturday night.

Linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo had an interception and a fumble recovery and defensive backs Jeremy Unertl and Jonathan Ordway each had interceptions as the Rush took over the game in the second quarter, eventually building an 18-point second half lead.

In fact, it could have been have been worse for Nashville, as Kats' QB Jeff Smoker had two more interceptions wiped away by penalties on the Rush.

With the game tied 14-14 late in the first quarter the Rush began to take charge.

Late in the quarter, D'Orazio found Sippio for a 47-yard touchdown - his third of the game - and a 21-14 Rush lead.

Then the second quarter opened with the Rush defense shutting down the Kats for the second time in the game. This time, the defense held the Kats on downs when Unertl batted down a Smoker pass on fourth-and-10, giving the Rush possession on the Kats 10-yard line.

It took the Rush just one play to score - on a pass from D'Orazio to Andy McCullough - and the Rush had a 28-14 lead.

After Nashville scored to narrow the lead to 28-21, the Rush answered right back, as kicker Dan Frantz booted a 24-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to give the Rush a 31-21 lead at the break. It was the eighth time in the last 12 games in which Frantz has nailed a field goal on the final play of the half.

The Rush increased its lead to 38-21 on its opening possession of the third quarter. After driving to the Kats' 5-yard line, the Rush was faced with fourth-and-one. Opting to go for the first down, the Rush called a running play to Bob McMillen. McMillen took the handoff and looked like he was stuffed at the line of scrimmage. But before he was down, McMillen flipped the ball to D'Orazio, who got not only the first down, but a touchdown as well.

Then its was the defense's turn to flex its muscle as Alfonzo stepped in front of a pass intended for the tight end and picked it off at the Rush 2-yard line. Alfonzo weaved his way through would-be tacklers, returning the interception 46 yards to the Kats 2-yard line.

One play later McMillen found Sippio in the end zone on a fullback option play and the Rush had a 45-21 lead with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter.

While Nashville kept fighting, the Kats could get no closer than 10 points.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 7, 2007


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