Mustangs fall in last second 62-61

Saturday April 21, 2012

 FINAL RUSH POSSESSION PROVES TO BE DIFFERENCE IN SEESAW BATTLE

ROSEMONT, IL (April 21, 2012) – In a back-and-forth thriller, the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-3) fell 61-55 to the Chicago Rush (5-1) in front of 7,955 fans at the Allstate Arena on Saturday night.

Chicago quarterback Russ Michna connected with Jared Perry on a 22-yard touchdown pass with only 0:04 remaining to give the Rush the victory and send Milwaukee back home with a heartbreaking defeat.

Jared Jenkins had an impressive evening for Milwaukee, catching four of Gino Guidugli’s eight touchdown passes for 126 yards, but it was not enough to take home the victory.

Milwaukee started strong offensively, taking a 7-0 lead after a three-play drive to open the game that finished with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Guidugli to Jonathan Wilson. After Chicago answered back with a short Kelvin Morris rushing touchdown, the Mustangs started their possession at the three-yard line and drove down the field, closing out the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Guidugli to Jared Jenkins to take a 14-7 lead. The Rush then would end the quarter with a Terrance Turner touchdown reception to tie the game.

The Mustangs faced a 4th and 10 in Rush territory on their next possession, but were able to convert, as Guidugli hooked up with Wilson on a 14-yard touchdown catch to regain the lead. Though Chicago’s Marquis Hamilton would take a five-yard pitch in for the score, the Mustangs bounced right back with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jenkins to give Milwaukee a 28-21 advantage. With a final drive before halftime, Chicago was able to knot the score up at 28-28 when Russ Michna scrambled out of trouble and reached the ball into the end zone with no time remaining on the clock.

The Rush got the ball back to start the second half and scored quickly when Turner caught his second receiving touchdown of the night to take a 35-28 lead. But Milwaukee’s Jenkins quickly made fans forget, as Guidugli connected with the receiver on the first play from scrimmage to bring the game to 35-35.

The Mustangs defense rose to the challenge on Chicago’s next possession. Justin Lawrence and Quartez Vickerson both recorded sacks and helped force the Rush into two false start penalties to halt the drive and take the ball back. With the turn of events, Milwaukee capitalized when Jenkins hauled in his fourth receiving touchdown to put the Mustangs back in the driver’s seat at 41-35.

Chicago would fight right back with another Turner touchdown catch, but the Mustangs would answer with a 42-yard touchdown catch by Josue Paul on 3rd and 21 to go back on top, 47-42. But Terrance Turner continued to have a breakout evening, catching his fourth touchdown pass of the night to give the Rush a 49-47 advantage with 8:24 to play.

Milwaukee would not let Chicago pull away and regained the lead, 53-49, on a 17-yard screen pass to Nick Torresso. After a failed Milwaukee onside kick, Chicago answered back with a touchdown reception by Marquis Hamilton to take the lead, 55-53. The Mustangs’ offense then bounced right back with a Guidugli rushing touchdown and two-point conversion to take control, 61-55, with 0:52 remaining, but the Rush would take the lead for good on their final drive of the contest.

AWARD WINNERS

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: Mustangs QB Gino Guidugli

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: Mustangs DL Luis Vasquez

JLS Ironman of the Game: Rush WR Marquis Hamilton

AFL Playmaker of the Game: Rush WR Terrance Turner

Cutters Catch of the Game: Rush WR Jared Perry’s TD catch in the final seconds

Spalding Highlight of the Game: Rush WR Marquis Hamilton’s TD catch over the boards

National Guard MVP of the Game: Rush QB Russ Michna

ABOUT THE MILWAUKEE MUSTANGS:

The 2012 Milwaukee Mustangs are thrilled to honor and represent the Arena Football League as they celebrate their silver 25th anniversary this season. The rich heritage of the Milwaukee Mustangs continues the tradition of hard-hitting arena football action in Milwaukee. The Mustangs are looking forward to the 2012 AFL season and you should be too. Tickets and Sponsorships are on sale now! For more information visit mkemustangs.com or call 414-224-4000 today! Please make sure to follow the Milwaukee Mustangs and Fillies Dance Team on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.