Chicago Sun-Times

Rush coach points finger at porous defense after defeat

Thu, 02 May 2013 06:35:05 -0500

Arena-league rules favor the offense, but that doesn’t mean defenses are absolved of making an impact. So after the Rush’s 76-61 loss Sunday against the Spokane Shock at Allstate Arena in which the Shock scored on every possession except its last when it ran out the clock, Rush coach Bob McMillen put his defense on notice. “On our defensive line, we can’t have just one guy getting the pressure all the time,” McMillen said. “We got to have all three of them, and we’ll go to practice this week and continue to work with those guys, and if not, we’ll …

Rush opens with a clunker at home

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:29:32 -0500

The Rush’s 2013 season opener featured a lot of new things: new owner, new logo, new uniforms and a new theme of “redemption” after failing to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in 2012. That “redemption” directive didn’t get off to a good start during a 63-41 loss to the Iowa Barnstormers before a crowd of 6,026 on Saturday at Allstate Arena. Iowa, coached by former Rush coach Mike Hohensee, jumped to a 12-0 lead and never looked back. It was Hohensee’s first win over his former team in three tries. “Redemption is about making the …

Rush owner, AFL split ways; Allstate says ‘impossible’ for team to play full schedule

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:36:51 -0500

The Arena Football League has terminated its relationship with Rush owner Julee White less than three months after she purchased the team from the league. According to a news release, the Rush will play a full schedule of games in 2013, though Pat Nagle, the general manager of Allstate Arena, where the Rush has played its home games since 2001, said that’s ‘‘impossible’’ because the arena has other events scheduled on the dates the Rush plans home games. ‘‘While the ownership was new to our league, we still have expectations that must be met,’’ AFL commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said …

Rush back in business with new owner

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 23:34:46 -0500

Having owned the Rush for only about five weeks, David Staral Jr. had little to do with the franchise’s turmoil this offseason. But while he was looking forward when he addressed the media for the first time Monday, he acknowledged the challenges the Rush will face this season. The Arena Football League had sold the franchise to Julee B. White this offseason, but White had her relationship with the league terminated less than three months into her ownership because of logistical and financial reasons. Staral became owner days later. During White’s ownership, fans were unable to get in touch with …

Rush falls out of last playoff spot

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:38:50 -0500

The Rush won’t need a magnifying glass to dissect its game Saturday against the San Jose SaberCats at Allstate Arena. The team made glaring mistakes throughout, resulting in a 75-61 loss, its first home defeat this season. The Rush (9-6), which fell a half-game behind the SaberCats (10-6) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the National Conference, fumbled twice, muffed a kick return and allowed a fourth-quarter kick return for a touchdown. The SaberCats turned two Rush miscues in the first half into touchdowns, helping them take a 21-point lead at halftime. Reggie Gray fumbled a kickoff on …

Rush offense gets rolling again in rout of Force

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 06:49:12 -0500

Just a week removed from calling Rush quarterback Russ Michna the hottest signal-caller in the Arena Football League, coach Bob McMillen might have found himself biting his tongue when the team suffered the worst loss in franchise history June 9 at Utah. But Michna vindicated his coach Saturday. The Rush (8-5) scored on all but two of its possessions in a 62-27 victory over the Georgia Force (7-7) at Allstate Arena. “This is a crazy game. Momentum plays a key role in this game,” said Michna, who threw for 217 yards and six touchdowns. “We started off slow last week, …

Rush QB Russ Michna throws nine TD passes on record day

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 08:20:48 -0500

Facing the Spokane Shock and the Arena Football League’s worst defense Sunday at Allstate Arena was enough to whet the appetite of Rush quarterback Russ Michna. But the veteran signal-caller couldn’t have been prepared for the feast that would come. Michna set single-game franchise records in completions (32), passing yards (412) and touchdown passes (nine) in the Rush’s 73-62 victory over the Shock (6-5). While a porous defense provided the stage for Michna, he credited his receivers for the historic day. “It’s amazing to me what we’re able to do with them, the things we do on the fly, what …

Reggie Gray sets Rush touchdown record in win over Barnstormers

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 08:16:35 -0500

Reggie Gray caught two touchdown passes and set a franchise record for career touchdowns with 74 in the Rush’s 61-50 victory over the Iowa Barnstormers on Sunday at Allstate Arena. Gray’s 70 career touchdown catches tie him with Bobby Sippio atop the franchise list. “It was great, especially doing it in front of my hometown,” said Gray, who led Morgan Park to the 2001 city championship. “I preach that a lot. There’s nothing like playing in front of your hometown and breaking a record.” Gray and fellow receiver Jared Perry had their way with the Barnstormers’ secondary. Gray had five …

Rush stays unbeaten with 69-40 victory against Command

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:52:27 -0500

Rush receiver Jared Perry on Saturday notified the rest of the Arena Football League that defenses no longer can focus only on Reggie Gray. Perry had 10 receptions for 175 yards and five touchdowns in the Rush’s 69-40 victory against the Kansas City Command at Allstate Arena. Gray has drawn an overwhelming amount of attention from opposing defenses early this season after setting franchise records for points scored (322), receptions (130) and receiving yards (1,969) in 2011. Gray added seven receptions for 125 yards and three touchdowns for the Rush, which is the only undefeated team in the AFL at …

Rush rebound after slow start, beat Predators

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:21:45 -0500

Typically, a bad offensive start in an Arena Football League game is crippling. So when the Rush failed to score on its first three possessions Thursday against the Orlando Predators at Allstate Arena, the outcome looked ominous for the home team. But as it did much of last season, the Rush defense came to the rescue, holding the Predators scoreless on three of their first four possessions. The Rush then put enough offense together for a 51-49 victory. “Hats off to the defense,” wide receiver Reggie Gray said. “Offense, we came out struggling, and that’s what a team is for. …

Rush back to work, beats Storm in season opener

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:11:04 -0500

Under the cloud of a work stoppage, Rush players might have questioned whether their season would start on time. Most Orlando and Pittsburgh regulars sat out the league opener Friday in a game played with replacements. But the AFL players union had its members return to work Saturday, when the Rush opened its season with a 70-48 victory against the Tampa Bay Storm at Allstate Arena. Starting quarterbacks earn a weekly stipend of $1,200 while all other players make $400 per week. Housing and two meals per day are included. “It’s not necessarily anyone is looking for a contract increase,” …

Rush’s success starts on defense

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:23:47 -0500

Last year, the Rush was the kind of team that probably left Arena Football League executives scratching their heads. In a league built for offense, the Rush set the AFL record with 56 takeaways and allowed a league-low 46 points per game. It won a franchise-record 13 regular-season games largely because of its defense. That shouldn’t change this season considering the Rush re-signed defensive back Vic Hall and jack linebacker Kelvin Morris, two of the league’s top defensive players in 2011. “We put a lot of hard work into it, and we’re not going to accept the fact that it’s …

Only 1 team in a 'Rush' to sign T.O.

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:54:54 -0500

No NFL scouts attended free-agent receiver Terrell Owens’ workout Tuesday in Calabasas, Calif., but that doesn’t mean one coach wasn’t watching the televised event hoping to add the 37-year-old to his receiving corps. No NFL teams have offered Owens — who had surgery on his left knee in early April to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament — a contract, but the Arena Football League’s Rush has. The team faxed a contract offer Wednesday to Owens’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus. ‘‘Watching him work out [Tuesday], you can still see he has the passion to play,’’ McMillen told the Sun-Times. ‘‘He wouldn’t …

J.J. Raterink sparks Rush’s 54-51 comeback win over Dallas

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:11:31 -0500

Rush quarterback J.J. Raterink’s $400 game check doesn’t offer much of a financial incentive. He probably makes more working an offseason job. So when he got slammed headfirst into the wall with 9:16 left in the third quarter and the Rush trailing the Dallas Vigilantes by 10 points in first-round playoff action Friday at Allstate Arena, he could have called it quits. But Raterink proved his pride is priceless. He took off only two plays and rallied the Rush to a 54-51 victory by completing 8 of 12 passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. ‘‘It …

Rush’s miscues in 54-41 loss to Mustangs worry coach McMillen

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 02:24:46 -0500

With the second seed in the National Conference locked up and a first-round playoff game against Dallas at Allstate Arena already set for Friday, Saturday night’s home game against the Milwaukee Mustangs —the regular-season finale — was little more than a glorified scrimmage. And the Rush played like it knew what the game meant. In a game in which it committed six turnovers, the Rush lost to the visiting Mustangs 54-41. Three of the turnovers came in the first half; two were fumbles recovered in the end zone for touchdowns. The loss means nothing in terms of the playoffs, but …

Rush locks up playoff position

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:08:00 -0500

The Rush clinched the Arena Football League’s Central Division title with a 53-44 victory over the host Dallas Vigilantes. The Rush (13-4) trailed by 16 at halftime but outscored the Vigilantes 32-7 in the second half. J.J. Raterink threw six touchdown passes, three to Reggie Gray. The No. 2-seeded Rush will host the third-seeded Vigilantes (11-6) in the first round of the playoffs. …