Rush Lose Game and More in Record Second Quarter
Jeff Sims
Wednesday April 28, 2004
The old Tony Bennett song should go, “I Left My Heart in San Jose.” Okay, so I’m not correct in my title and geography, but the idea certainly fits the Rush, who went into the game against Los Angeles looking for a win to keep them in the hunt for a first round home playoff game. Instead, the Rush gave up a team record 50 points in the first half, including a team record 37 in the second quarter, as Los Angeles easily walked away with a 71-35 victory, increasing their hopes to host a first round game.
This game started out like any other Rush home game this season; the Rush scored a touchdown. The Rush came out with great intensity on defense, but gave up a free touchdown by being overaggressive and being penalized too much, keeping the opponent in the game and building their confidence.
Then, typically, Chicago would tone it down and put their opponent away in the second half.
Los Angeles didn’t even give the end of this story a chance on this day.
“I thought our guys did a really good job, especially giving up only 35 points to Chicago,” said Avengers head coach Ed Hodgkiss. “We played well all around and it was a good win coming into a tough place to play.”
On this day, it was a tough place for the Rush to play.
First, the Rush attempted to control the contest by developing a ground game, not typical in the AFL. On their second possession, Rush FB/LB Levelle Brown fumbled a handoff that was recovered by Avengers WR/DB Kevin Ingram. Avengers QB Tony Graziani would find OS Chris Jackson on the next play for a 28-yard touchdown and a 13-7 lead.
“The turnover was key,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee after the game. “The run is a safe play; pound them a little bit and try to create some intimidation on our part. And then we go and fumble the thing. We looked like the Three Stooges out there.”
Oh would Moe, Larry, Curly, Shemp, Joe, and Curly Joe be proud!
Record Breakers
Things would only get worse from there.
With 4:23 remaining in the second quarter and the Rush down 27-21, QB Raymond Philyaw went back to throw and was hit by Avengers OL/DL Al Lucas. The pass was intercepted by Jason Moore and returned for a Los Angeles touchdown. It was only Philyaw’s fourth interception of the season.
“The interception really turned things around and put their backs against the wall,” said Jackson, who scored four times on the day. “We continued to score from there. That gave us the motivation to go out. We knew we were up a score, and we were able to relax and just go out and play.”
The additional bad news was that Philyaw would leave the game with a sprained right MCL and will be out of the Rush lineup for approximately 2-4 weeks.
Not only did the Rush leave their hearts in San Jose, in the process they also lost their soul and leader on the field for at least the next two games.
Backup QB Chad Salisbury would then come in on the next possession in place of Philyaw and be sacked in the end zone for a safety on the second play of the drive.
Other than the safety, Salisbury played well in relief throwing for 110 yards and two scores.
“For the most part, I think he made the right decisions,” said Hohensee. “That was taking absolutely no snaps all week.”
Wait, it only gets better!
On their next drive, Los Angeles would score on only three plays and take a 43 – 21 lead as ex-Rush OS Joe Douglass scored on a 19-yard pass from Graziani. Ole’!
“We were playing a pressure type of defense,” said Hohensee. “We were coming up and trying to bang the guy that was in motion and they did a good job of coming off the pressure. They are a very good offensive football team, and we took chances and they didn’t pay off for us today.”
On the ensuing kickoff, the ball hit the crossbar and was recovered by Moore at the Chicago four-yard line. As time expired in the half, Graziani hit Ingram for yet another Los Angeles score.
The Rush had given up 23 points in the final 4:23 of the half and had recorded their worst half of football ever.
Game over.
Reopen the Infirmary
The Chicago Rush played without WR/LB Lindsay Fleshman, who was out with a hamstring strain and should be available next week against Detroit.
In addition to Philyaw’s injury, DS Corey Sawyer (ankle), OL/DL John “The Hulk” Moyer (hamstring), and OS Jeremy McDaniel (shoulder) were all injured in the game. According to team physician Raj Khanna, each of these players should be ready to play next week.
“I’m not too sure where we will be at personnel-wise,” said Hohensee. “That will be the first thing we have to take care of going into next week.”
The Rush take their 7 – 4 record and two game losing streak into Detroit where they will attempt to avenge one of their losses this season as Detroit defeated the Rush, 72-71, in Chicago back on March 28th.
Jeff has been writing for ArenaFan.com since 2004. Originally from New York, Jeff has been living in the Chicago area for the past ten years and is an avid football fanatic. He holds a BA in communications from Hofstra University in New York and a sports management certificate from Loyola University in Chicago.
