Third quarter slump costs Rush in 48-35 defeat

February 26, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release


Bouncing back from a loss has been a big part of the Chicago Rush recipe for success over the last two seasons. After losing to the Columbus Destroyers on the road last week, head coach Mike Hohensee wanted to see his team bounce back with a much sharper effort against the Orlando Predators.

He had every reason to be optimistic. The Rush had bounced back with a 5-1 record in games following losses since the start of the 2004 season. However, after getting hit with a 21-point blitz in the third quarter, the Rush was beaten 48-35 in front of 14,164 fans at the Allstate Arena. The loss dropped their record to 2-3.

After taking a 21-17 lead into the locker room at halftime, the Rush appeared to be on their way to another score when QB Raymond Philyaw hit WR Jeremy McDaniel with a short pass on a crossing pattern over the middle. McDaniel made it to the sidelines and turned it up field, but he fumbled at the 1-yard line and the Predators recovered.

Orlando QB Joe Hamilton led the Predators on a 5-play, 49-yard drive and culminated it with a 13-yard scoring pass to elusive WR Jimmy Fryzel to take a 24-21 lead.

The Predators capitalized on their momentum when they attempted and recovered a surprise onsides kick. Five plays later, Hamilton hit Fryzel with a two-yard scoring pass. That stretched Orlando's lead to 31-21.

Etu Molden was determined to do something to slow down the onslaught on the ensuing kickoff and had momentum as he crossed the Chicago 15 with speed. However, he fumbled the ball after getting hit and the Predators recovered at the 18.

Hamilton handed the ball to Marlon Moye-Moore two plays later and the 6-1, 245-pound fullback plowed into the endzone from nine yards out. The 4-point halftime lead had suddenly become a 17-point deficit for the Rush.

Chicago tried to come back as Philyaw threw two TD passes to Etu Molden, but it was not enough to stave off the defeat.

Early in the first quarter, Hamilton got the Predators on the board with a nifty five-yard run to open the scoring. Orlando had moved swiftly down the field in a 4-play-35-yard drive, indicating it would not be intimidated by playing on the road.

Philyaw brought the Rush right back. Even though he had suffered an MCL injury in last week's loss at Columbus, he connected with McDaniel on a 24-yard TD pass with 6:47 remaining in the first quarter to tie the score.

That play brought a smile to head coach Mike Hohensee's face. Philyaw has been resilient over the years, but any time a quarterback suffers a knee injury a coach will have doubts until he sees for himself that the knee will stand up to game competition.

The Rush took their first lead of the night on the second TD pass from Philyaw to McDaniel. The receiver made a quick move against Orlando's secondary and got open in the endzone where Philyaw found him with a nine-yard pass.

After a 21-yard field goal by former Northwestern kicker Brian Gowins inched Orlando closer, the Predators regained the lead on RB Idris Price's smashmouth 16-yard run up the middle.

But the Rush came back to take the lead before halftime when Philyaw found Russell Shaw with a beautifully thrown 30-yard TD pass with 19 seconds left in the second quarter.

The play appeared to give them the momentum they needed in the second half, but Orlando's third-quarter blitz derailed their efforts. Chicago will try to get back to .500 next week at home against Nashville.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 26, 2005


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