San Jose stuns Rush, 51-43

Published on April 17, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


San Jose – It was one of the most heavily anticipated games of the AFL season Friday night when the league's top teams faced off at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

But it wasn't until Thursday's practice that Rush head coach Mike Hohensee acknowledged the magnitude of the game to his team.

"I told our men that we had an opportunity to not just win an important game, but to make a statement to the entire league," Hohensee admitted.

Well, consider it a mixed message from Chicago, which seemingly had the game in hand until a late fourth-quarter collapse that allowed San Jose to sneak away with a 51-43 win.

"We were in control almost all night, but we just didn't execute at the end of the game," Hohensee said. "It's a very frustrating loss, that's for sure, but I think we showed what we're capable of doing."

Leading 43-37 with the ball and 4:19 remaining, Chicago (7-3) could have sealed the victory with another touchdown. But Philyaw was intercepted near San Jose's end zone, giving the SaberCats (8-2) life.

And San Jose took advantage of Chicago's generosity, scoring on the possession to claim their first lead of the game, 44-43, with 58-seconds remaining.

Then, although the Rush was prepared for it, the SaberCats recovered an onside kick at their own 11-yard line. Two plays later, San Jose WR/DB Barry Wagner rumbled in for a 21-yard touchdown. The extra-point gave the SaberCats a 51-43 lead.

With 38-seconds still remaining, Chicago had enough time to even the game. But Rush quarterback Raymond Philyaw and his teammates couldn't move the ball and, after a failed fourth-down attempt, San Jose took over at Chicago's 10-yard line to run out the clock.

Philyaw completed 21 of 35 attempts for 229 yards, six touchdowns and one crucial interception. His counterpart, Mark Grieb, completed 24 of 38 passes for 292 yards and five scores.

Rush receivers Etu Molden and Jeremy McDaniel split the load offensively, each grabbing three touchdown passes.

The team's first-half performances mirrored one another, with one crucial exception: San Jose turned the ball over on its first possession of the game, allowing the Rush to grab an early 14-0 advantage.

But when the dust settled at the end of the second quarter, the Rush held a slim 23-17 lead with the SaberCats owning the ball to start the second half.

Chicago scored on all four of its possessions, including three McDaniel touchdown receptions from Philyaw, along with a 23-yard field goal by Keith Gispert.

San Jose countered with two touchdowns and a 26-yard field goal, the latter coming as time expired in the half.

The Rush dominated the first quarter, grabbing an early 14-0 advantage while easily scoring on both possessions and forcing the early San Jose turnover.

Chicago began its first drive on its own 17-yard line and quickly moved downfield before Philyaw found McDaniel for a 14-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rush lineman James Baron made an outstanding individual play. After corralling San Jose's return man, Baron stripped the ball and, before it bounced out of bounds, swatted it back into play where Molden recovered it on San Jose's 11-yard line.

Philyaw connected with McDaniel on the next play – this time on an 11-yard post – for a 14-0 advantage.

The quarter ended with San Jose in the midst of an 11-minute drive that included two fourth-down conversions but no touchdowns.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 17, 2004


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