D-Robber Steals One from Rampage

Jeff Sims
Wednesday April 23, 2008

It is not very often that you see a game day program for that particular day foreshadow what you are about to see.

The front of the Chicago Rush game day program for this week read “D-Robber” and the article featured Rush defensive back Dennison Robinson and his rise to becoming one of the best defenders in the AFL.

Robinson stole the show late in the fourth quarter as the Chicago Rush secured a 55 – 52 victory and an Amtrak Classic series sweep against the division rival Grand Rapids Rampage.

Robinson made two spectacular plays that saved another great performance by Rush rookie wide receiver Donovan Morgan. Morgan finished the game with 10 receptions for 149 yards and four touchdowns.

“Donovan Morgan has played second fiddle to everyone all year,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “He came up big today. And those were not easy catches.”

He almost became the goat as well.

The Rampage took the lead with just under five minutes remaining and on the next Chicago possession, Morgan fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and the ball was recovered by Rampage DB William Haith. Grand Rapids had the chance to go up two scores and take more time off the clock.

Then came Robinson. On the following possession, he made a spectacular interception on a pass thrown by Rampage QB James MacPherson. The pass hit off the iron in the endzone and flew up into the air. Robinson stretched out parallel to field and reached out to catch the ball before it hit the ground.

The Rush were back in business and that was all they would need to take the lead.

Rush QB Russ Michna found Morgan again on the same play that he fumbled previously for a 21 yard gain. A couple of plays later, Michna threaded a needle and completed a touchdown pass to Damien Harrell to give the Rush the lead back.

“(The fumble) was my mistake,” said Morgan. “I caught the ball and wasn’t looking it in and I turned upfield before I tucked the ball in. It was a lost fumble and I went by coach and asked him to come back to me again and he had the belief to come back to me again and I made something happen.”

But the Rampage still had one more chance to take the win with one minute left, but Robinson appeared again.

On fourth down, MacPherson attempted to connect Rampage wide receiver Anthony Hines in the endzone for the win, but D-Robber was there one more time to bat the pass away and uphold the Rush victory.

The Rush now hold a 6–2 record and hold a solid lead in the race for home field in the American Conference.

“They tried to pick on (Robinson) because of some of the tendencies that he may have,” said Hohensee. “A lot of teams do that, but that is why he comes up with a lot of interceptions too; because he competes for the football when it gets there.”

Robinson, who has not missed a game in seven years, is ranked third in the league in tackles and is tied for second place in interceptions with six. His teammates call him a football guy who is always talking about football or watching film and it shows in his performance, especially this week.

“The first play was just a hustle play off the net,” said Robinson. “Just running to it and knowing the rules of the game and knowing the ball is live when it comes off the net. So I just tried to be a football player and go after the ball. That is what we preach in practice. The last play I just wanted to knock it down. It was fourth down and all you need to do is knock it down.”

D-Robber had made the program true to its word and showed that not every gameday publication brings a “cover jinx”.

Game Notes

The Chicago Rush were without some of their key players this week. Defensive Lineman John Moyer was out with an injury to his left foot. But it is a show of team depth when Moyer is replaced by returning lineman and former All-AFL performer Khreem Smith. Smith led the league in forced fumbles in 2006 and ranked second in the league in sacks that year. Smith had spent the past season on the practice squads of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs.

Joked Moyer, “I waited to get hurt so we could bring in a guy that has more athleticism in his pinky toe than I have in my entire body.”

The Rush were also without DB Jonathan Ordway (groin) and QB Sherdrick Bonner who was still out with a knee injury.

How many times have we heard this in Chicago; “(insert name here) is our starting quarterback”. It appears the Rush have moved to Russ Michna for the time being.  Over the past two games, Michna has two victories and compiled a 131.4 passer rating, making him second in the league. Maybe the Rush have their quarterback for some time to come.

Defensive back James Sadler was lost for the reason when he ruptured an Achilles.

Offensive lineman Robert Boss excited the crowd with his two receptions. The 6’5” 295 pound Boss made multiple moves after the catches and plowed over multiple Rampage defenders before being taken down on both plays.