Rush drop third game of season 72-41 to Philadelphia Soul

Saturday May 4, 2013

 Philadelphia Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh’s six touchdown lead the way

The Rush saw their hot streak come to an end Saturday evening, dropping their third game of the season 72-41 to the Philadelphia Soul.

Philadelphia came out the gates quickly, establishing a 14-0 lead before the fans could get settled. After quarterback Dan Raudabaugh opened the game with a quick touchdown drive, Soul kicker Carlos Martinez placed the ensuing kickoff perfectly off the crossbar and into the hands of cover man Joe Goosby. All-Arena Fullback Derrick Ross scampered into the end zone on the very next play, and before the fans could get settled, the Soul were up 14-0.

Despite the ugly opening few minutes, the Rush immediately started chipping away at Philadelphia’s momentum. The Rush offense picked up right where they left off Week 6, as Carson Coffman hooked up with Reggie Gray to erase seven points of the deficit. After Raudabaugh found McDaniel for another score on the following drive, the Rush responded with another successful, albeit rough drive. A sign of things to come, the Rush were faced with a third-and-twenty after Coffman was sacked. The help of a defensive holding call gave the Rush new life on the drive. Jared Jenkins was the benefactor of the eventual score, juking around the entire Philadelphia defensive backfield to find paydirt.

The Soul started pulling away in the second quarter. The two teams matched touchdown drives to open the period; the Soul’s Tiger Jones and the Rush’s Jenkins scored on similar plays, barely breaking across the goal line to give their teams six. Philadelphia continued to persevere on offense despite poor field position. A Carlos Martinez field goal added to the lead, and McDaniel caught his third touchdown pass of the night to put the lead at seventeen going into halftime.

It was more of the same throughout the third quarter. After matching touchdowns by the two teams, Rayshaun Kizer put an end to Chicago’s second drive with a pick that eventually turned into Philly’s 51st and 52nd points of the night after an extended offensive drive.

Jared Jenkins’ efforts single-handedly kept the Rush in the game the second half. Two touchdown catches by the former Milwaukee Mustang kept Chicago within striking distance; however it was an unlikely interception by the Soul which put it away. After a Reggie Gray kickoff return and penalty put the Rush at the ten yard line of the Soul with eleven minutes remaining in the fourth, a pass attempt to Nate Forse went off his heel and was scooped up by LaRico Stevenson.
The Soul used the opportunity to eat up clock and add on to the lead with yet another McDaniel touchdown, his fourth. Eventually both second-string quarterbacks made appearances; Danny Southwick and Steven Gachette officially came on with just under six minutes to go. Both quarterbacks eventually threw for scores, but it did nothing to affect the outcome, a 72-41 victory by the Soul. The Rush return to action next week against the Cleveland Gladiators.

About the Chicago Rush
The Chicago Rush will take on the Arizona Rattlers May 19th at the Allstate Arena. Season tickets start as low as $8 per seat/ticket and are available now by calling the front office at 855-RUSH-WIN. Stay informed and up to date with the latest team news by following the Rush on Facebook and Twitter.