Rush control their emotions and second half in Week One victory
Jeff Sims
Wednesday March 5, 2008
“It was like when we used to pack over 15,000 when I was in Arizona,” said new Rush QB and AFL veteran Sherdrick Bonner. “I was on the phone with my wife the night before burning up my minutes. You would have thought that I was playing my first high school game.”
The noise that the game started with grew infinitely as the first play after the kickoff resulted in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Bonner to new Rush WR Damian Harrell. Two plays later, Rush LB DeJuan Alfonso scooped up a Mark Grieb fumble to give Chicago an early 14 – 0 lead.
What started out appearing as an early rout turned into a battle. San Jose turned around and scored the next 21 points in the game, converting two Rush turnovers into touchdowns; one on a Bonner fumble and another after an interception by SaberCats DB Clevan Thomas.
At that point, the game was on just as it had been almost eight months ago. The Rush knew that they would have to regain their composure and execute on both sides of the ball and make plays.
“One thing we talked about was controlling our emotions,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “We knew there was a lot of hype in this building with the world champs coming in. And as soon as that emotion and hype wore down, we knew that it was going to become a business and we had to be ready to play. It would be the team that executed the best, made the fewest mistakes, and decided to play with the top of their pads more often and longer would come away.”
After getting the jitters out, the Rush settled down and did what they do best; play defense.
Going back to last season, the Chicago Rush defense has been almost impenetrable at home in the second half of games. Last season in the playoffs, they shut out Los Angeles in the second half of their quarterfinal game and then pitched another shut out in the second half in the conference semi-final against Kansas City.
On this night, the Rush defense, which was ranked as the league’s best last year, picked up right where it left off. They held the defending champs to seven points in the third quarter and 14 points late in the fourth quarter en route to a Rush victory 70 – 47.
The Rush baited San Jose into four turnovers in the second half, two on interceptions by hard hitting Rush DB Dennison Robinson. The other two turnovers were a fumble caused by Robinson that was recovered by DB Jonathan Ordway and an interception by Alfonzo.
What makes this Rush defense so tough in the second half of games, especially at home?
“We feed off the crowd,” said Robinson. “With loose balls flying, the second guy coming in and trying to get the strip, and we are all ballhawks back there to be honest. We always feel like we are in better shape, so we just come in and try to put the nail in the coffin.”
It was a hard hit by Robinson on SaberCats WR James Roe that caused the fumble. The Rush capitalized and scored on an amazing one handed touchdown grab by new WR Travis LaTendresse. The interception by Alfonzo capitalized on the new jack linebacker rule that allows jack linebackers to play from board to board no deeper than five yards. Alfonzo was by the side wall when he picked off Grieb and returned it 34 yards. The Rush would then score again on a 5 yard run by FB Dan Alexander.
“We play to get five stops every week,” boasted Robinson. “Everyone says that two is good, but we want to double that every time. If we can get our offense the ball five more times per game with Bonner and Harrell and those guys? Come on.”
The fact is that the Chicago Rush were able to take San Jose’s best shot and then was able to turn around, maintain their composure, and make adjustments to take control of the game.
“I don’t think anybody panicked,” said Bonner. “They went on a little run and we were able to answer. Some guys made some great plays and the defense just picked it up in the second half and dominated. Our guys were able to come out strong and finish the game tonight. That was the difference.”
Game Notes
The Rush has lost FB Matt Kinsinger for the season. Kinsinger tore the patella tendon in his left knee on a rushing attempt in the second quarter. Kinsinger signed a two year deal with the Rush as a free agent during the off-season. Luckily, the team also signed last season’s rushing leader Dan Alexander. Alexander took over for Kinsinger and scored once. Kinsinger had surgery performed on Tuesday and should be ready for the start of the 2009 season.
SaberCats QB Mark Grieb threw for 353 yards and five touchdowns. He is the only QB to throw for over 300 yards in consecutive games against the Rush in the last two seasons. When asked about Grieb’s stats against the Rush, LB DeJaun Alfonzo replied; “We ain’t here to stop stats. We are here to win ballgames.”
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.
