Stunning comeback moves Rush into semifinals
May 29, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
Los Angeles â A remarkable thing happened on the way to summer vacation for the Chicago Rush.
Trailing by 18 early in the third quarter â and with hopes fading fast -- the Rush defense finally stiffened. And Chicago's offense, which had turned the ball over twice in the first half, finally woke up.
The result was a stunning, 52-45 come-from-behind win that secured a semifinal berth for the Rush for the third time in four seasons.
"I can't say enough about the character of our players," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "Even when we were down by three scores in the third quarter, they kept their composure and focus.
"In my nineteen years in the AFL, this might be my most rewarding win."
Chicago next takes on John Elway's Colorado Crush at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at Denver's Pepsi Center. The Crush advanced to the semifinal by defeating the defending champion San Jose SaberCats 56-48.
After working hard to cut LA's lead to 45-38 with 8:37 remaining, the Rush defense forced Los Angeles into a fourth-and-nine from its own 7-yard line. Electing to go for the first down rather than a 58-yard field goal attempt, Los Angeles QB John Kaleo was nearly sacked for a safety before throwing the ball into the stands.
The Rush took over and promptly scored to tie the game at 45-45 when rookie offensive specialist C.J. Johnson scored on a three-yard run. It was Johnson's third TD of the afternoon, to go along with eight receptions for 110 yards.
On the ensuing kickoff, Rush lineman John Moyer forced LA kick returner Kevin Ingram to fumble the ball at his own 8-yard line. Rush FB/LB Charlie Cook recovered, putting Chicago in position to take its first lead since it was up 10-7 early in the second quarter.
With just 2:26 remaining in the game, Cook completed the turnaround when he dove into the end zone from the 2-yard line, putting the Rush up 52-45.
Despite the big swing in momentum, the game was far from over. Los Angeles drove the ball to the Chicago 11-yard line where the Avengers had a first down with one-minute remaining in the game.
The Rush defense forced Kaleo into back-to-back incomplete passes, and then registered back-to-back sacks on third and fourth down.
Taking over with just 38 seconds remaining, all the Rush needed to do was run the clock out. However, when Rush QB Raymond Philyaw fumbled on a quarterback keeper, Los Angeles had one last chance.
With 11 seconds remaining and LA looking at third-and-10 from the Rush 11 yard line, Rush linemen Moyer and D.J. Bleisath combined to sack Kaleo, forcing a fumble which Bob McMillen recovered to preserve the victory.
"It's Arena Football," said McMillen. "I told the guys at halftime I don't care if we are down by 40, we can still win this thing. We just needed to come out and turn up the defense and that is what we did."
The first half of Sunday's game looked eerily similar to last month's game between LA and Chicago, which saw the Rush turn the ball over five times and fall to the Avengers 52-49.
Turnovers and missed opportunities were the story in the first half as the Rush turned the ball over twice and dropped a sure interception.
The Rush trailed by 28-17 at the half after being outscored 21-7 in the second quarter.
Trailing 14-10 in the second quarter, Philyaw was intercepted by Avengers WR/LB Greg Hopkins. After a pass interference penalty, Avenger FB Michale Spicer scored on a five-yard run to give LA a 21-10 lead.
The teams exchanged touchdowns before Chicago had a chance for a final score at the end of the half. However, Philyaw was sacked on fourth-and-five from the LA 14-yard line, ending the half.
The Rush led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, scoring on each of its first two possessions. After taking the opening kickoff and marching to the Los Angeles 1-yard line, Chicago was unable to punch it into the end zone on three-consecutive plays and forced to settle for an 18-yard Gispert field goal and a 3-0 lead.
Los Angeles took its first lead with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter when Kaleo hit Locke with a 39-yard touchdown strike, putting the Avengers up 7-3.
The Rush countered immediately, taking a 10-7 lead when Philyaw found Johnson in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown completion.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 29, 2005
- Preds one game away from ArenaBowl - Orlando Predators
- Rush put a stop to Avenger season, 52-45 - Los Angeles Avengers
- Crush Gains Redemption, Moves on to Semifinals - Colorado Crush
- Avengers Rushed out of Playoffs, 52-45 - OSC Original by Tim Peterson
- Four teams to battle for ArenaBowl XIX title - AFL I
- Crush send defending champs home - San Jose SaberCats
- Dragons big rally falls short - New York Dragons
- Stunning comeback moves Rush into semifinals - Chicago Rush
- Storm Fall to Force in Divisional Round - Tampa Bay Storm
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