Rush Mon Mar 12 2012
By Etheria Modacure
The 25th season of the Arena Football League got underway this weekend and the Chicago Rush were able to win their opener over the Tampa Bay Storm, 70-48.
In front of 9,124 at Allstate Arena, the Rush defense was their strength as linebacker Kelvin Morris returned two interceptions for touchdowns and quarterback Russ Michna threw eight touchdown passes.
The Rush, who finished last season at 13-5, winning the Central Division of the American Conference, got their ninth home opener win in franchise history.
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— Tailgate
Rush Tue May 24 2011
Chris Gould kicks off for the Rush / Photo: Etheria Modacure
By Etheria Modacure
Halfway through the Arena Football League's first 18-game season, the Chicago Rush are looking good in their quest for a 10th straight playoff berth. In order to do that, the team, led by Bob McMillen, the franchise's rookie head coach and all-time leading rusher, will need to develop cohesion in all three phases of the game.
Sunday at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, the Rush faced fellow Central Division contender Dallas, with both teams tied with 6-3 records and led by outstanding quarterbacks. Chicago's Russ Michna, a third-year pro out of Western Illinois University, squared off with Dallas' Dan Raudabaugh, who entered the contest with 42 passing touchdowns this season.
The Rush needed a victory against Dallas to remain in first place and pull even against divisional opponents this season. Dallas looked to keep its unbeaten record within the division intact. Unfortunately for the Vigilantes, they watched the Rush outduel them in nearly every facet of the game.
Chicago won, 69-57, taking firm control of its potential playoff seeding with eight games remaining in the season. Michna passed for seven touchdowns without an interception and linebacker Kelvin Morris returned an interception for a 55-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
"I think offensively, we're slowly coming together," Michna said. "We hit a few bumps along the road but I think we're starting to see the big picture."
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— Tailgate
Rush Tue May 20 2008
Even after more than 20 years of existence, Arena Football is regarded as something of a freak show by football purists, what with all the near-continuous passing and the net-rebounding and almost-triple figure scores. Sure John Elway is involved, but so is Jon Bon Jovi, so how serious can it be?
But there’s no denying the strong presence of the Chicago Rush in the AFL, who became the first team to clinch a playoff berth this season with a 72-28 victory over the Los Angeles Avengers Monday night, the fourth AFL Central Division title in their seven-year history.
Of course, for the most part the accomplishment is going unnoticed, with nary a word on the morning newscasts’ sports segments. When it comes to the hierarchy of Chicago sports, the Rush are somewhat lower than the disheveled Bulls, probably on an even plane with their Allstate Arena roommates the Wolves (who themselves are embroiled in their own title chase), but slightly higher in profile than the Fire, Sky, or any of the other minor league baseball, lacrosse or women’s softball teams floating around. Which all means that short of winning the league championship (which the Rush did in 2006), they’re pretty much assured of being last on the sports recap. This, despite the presence of owner Mike Ditka, who still has guys in Zubaz genuflecting at the mere mention of his name, and exposure on national AFL broadcasts.
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— Ken Green
