Soul Rocks Rush, 60-49

Published on March 9, 2008 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


After opening the season with an impressive win over the defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose SaberCats, the Rush was hoping to make it two in a row Sunday against the Philadelphia Soul.

Head coach Mike Hohensee knew that these were two evenly matched teams and that the game would come down to scheme and execution rather than talent.

Hohensee was correct in his pregame assessment and for the better part of three quarters, the two teams went back and forth, alternating scores on every possession.

But when Rush quarterback Sherdrick Bonner threw interceptions on consecutive plays in the third quarter, the Soul (2-0) took advantage of the turnovers and defeated the Rush 60-49 before a sellout crowd of 16,051.

Philadelphia quarterback Tony Graziani threw three second-half scoring passes to Chris Jackson and also ran for another score in the final half to allow Jon Bon Jovi's team to seize control.

Hohensee was impressed with Philadelphia's gameplan and execution.

"They were very sharp offensively with everything they wanted to do," Hohensee said. "Against a defense like ours, they knew that they couldn't make mistakes or we would hurt them. Usually when a team enters the game with that kind of mindset they are a little conservative, but that was not the case today."

On the other hand, the Rush skill position players like Bonner, Damian Harrell, Travis LaTendresse and Donovan Morgan were not able to operate with that kind of efficiency. While Bonner and Harrell are very experienced, it's their first year playing with the Rush and they are not functioning the way they expect to in upcoming games.

"Again, I give credit to their coaching staff," Hohensee said. "They outschemed us. We have big-play guys on offense and they would not let us make big plays. We got outcoached today and that will not happen again."

Bonner was victimized by Philadelphia defensive back Mike Brown for the two picks. The first one was a spectacular over-the-shoulder grab that set up a 14-yard TD pass to Jackson, giving Philadelphia a 43-35 lead. It also marked the first time that either team had scored without the other scoring on the previous possession. On the next play from scrimmage following that touchdown, Bonner threw a pass directly to Brown with no Rush receiver in the immediate vicinity.

The Soul skillfully negotiated 44 yards on 8 plays and finished the drive off in 4:55 with a 12-yard scoring pass from Graziani to Jackson.

The Rush (1-1) had plenty of fight left for the comeback as Bonner threw TD passes to Harrell and Dan Alexander in the final 6:44, but the problem came when they couldn't stop the Soul.

Jackson crushed the Rush hopes when he recovered an onsides kick with 35 seconds left and Philadelphia placekicker Connor Hughes took the last remaining breath from the Rush when he connected on a 22-yard field goal with 20 seconds left to give the Soul their final margin.

RUSH NOTES: Rush WR Damian Harrell became just the fourth player in AFL history with 900 career receptions with a catch in the first quarter ... Harrell caught the 300th TD pass of his career when Bonner hit him with a fourth-quarter scoring pass. ... Bonner completed 27-of-42 passes for 306 yards with 6 TDs and 2 interceptions. ... Alexander was a surprising receiving weapon, catching 3 balls for 40 yards and 3 TDs ... Defensive back Jeremy Unertl led the Rush with 5 solo tackles and also broke up a pass, while Jonathan Ordway had 4 solos, 2 assists and 2 passes defensed. ... The Rush plays its first road game this Friday, March 14 at Grand Rapids before returning home March 22 vs. Colorado.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 9, 2008


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