Chicago Fights Off Firebirds, Solidifies Home Playoff Game
Jeff Sims
Tuesday May 25, 2004
The same applies to visiting teams coming into Allstate Arena to take on the Chicago Rush. A number of times this year, opposing teams have come out during pregame warmups and attempted to intimidate Chicago and make them feel inferior.
Teams, such as Orlando earlier in the season and Dallas last week, and even Indiana this weekend, have all tried to put fear into the Rush during pregame. But the bullies can’t seem to beat the little kid up for his lunch money.
In this week’s installment, by far the worst incident to date this season, Indiana Firebirds OL/DL Ricky Hall intentionally went shoulder first into Rush FB/LB Jamie McGourty as the Firebirds were coming off the field from their warm-up. Of course, McGourty took offense and chased Hall into the tunnel and a rumble ensued between both teams. The altercation got so far out of hand that the coaching staffs from both teams and arena security had to separate the two teams.
“We don’t take too much from other people,” said Chicago OL/DL John Moyer. “If they want to come and talk to us on our field, they’re not going to get away with it. They said a few things and it became a little out of control, so we tried to handle it as properly as we could.”
Rush coach Mike Hohensee felt it was a big motivator for his team and was a big mistake on the part of the Firebirds.
“That was the worst thing they could have done,” said Hohensee after the game. “All I had to do after the team prayer before the game was open the doors and say I’m gonna stay out of your way. You guys go out and handle this one.”
The team certainly took offense to the altercation and came out fired up ready to play. The Chicago defense only gave up three points to the Firebirds on their first two possessions, en route to a 53-37 victory that guaranteed the Rush a first round playoff home game.
Moyer recorded two early sacks on Firebirds Rookie of the Year candidate QB Adrian McPherson, who never was able to get settled in the pocket and make plays all game long. McPherson, ranked second in the league in rushing and fifth in the league in passing going into this game, was held to only 15 yards on the ground and 242 yards in the air. A great accomplishment for the Rush against a young QB that is almost sure to be a star at the next level.
“As long as we kept him in the pocket, we felt that we could shut him down,” said Moyer. “Hitting him as many times as you can early in the game can get a young kid like that sort of flustered. I think that that might have got him out of his game a little bit.”
“Not only did we do a good job of chasing him down and making the tackle, but we also did a good job of sticking with the men downfield where he didn’t have any options,” said Hohensee.
McPherson admitted to feeling the heat against the Rush.
“They have the best pass rush in the league”, said McPherson of the Chicago defense. “I watched a lot of film on them and every play they are touching the quarterback. When you are a quarterback, you cannot sit comfortable in the pocket when you got a pass rush like that. I think their front line does a great job for them.”
After being held scoreless in a quarter for only the second time this season—the first was in the 3rd quarter during the team’s loss to Philadelphia—the Rush opened the second quarter with a two-yard touchdown run by QB Raymond Philyaw. On the ensuing kickoff, the Firebirds misplayed the rebound off of the net and Rush rookie WR/LB Etu Molden recovered it in the end zone for another score. Just like that the Rush had a 14-3 lead and never looked back.
Molden, also a candidate for Rookie of the Year, scored four touchdowns even though he only recorded 26 yards receiving. He was able to make up for his lack of receiving yards by making big plays when they counted. The kickoff recovery in the end zone, one rushing touchdown, and two receiving touchdowns helped solidify his push for the end of the year award.
Rush OS Jeremy McDaniel continued his fine play as of late, catching eight passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. One came with :01 left in the first half on a third down play that gave the Rush a 29-17 halftime lead.
“This team has been coming together more and more since day one, “ said Molden. “We’ve been in a few tough situations over the season, taken a couple of tough losses, but we’ve always been able to come back as a team and play together.”
The Rush concludes their regular season next week in Colorado and will attempt to solidify home field throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Rush defeated Colorado 65-35 back in the third week of the season. The team will then prepare for its home quarterfinal playoff game on June 6th.
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.