Rush takes over first place behind Michna, Dillon

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Updated: May 22, 2011 8:18PM

When the pressure was highest Sunday, the Rush delivered.

Quarterback Russ Michna threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Charles Dillon with 11:48 left in the game, and Kelvin Morris returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown at 8:03 as the Rush defeated the Dallas Vigilantes 69-57 at Allstate Arena.

The victory gives the Rush (7-3) sole possession of first place in the Central Division, a game ahead of the Vigilantes (6-4). The Rush is one game behind the Arizona Rattlers for the top spot in the American Conference.

Michna was nearly sacked for a safety on his throw, but he found Dillon just before he hit the wall.

“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, I guess,” Michna said. “They brought a new look at us, and we had a hard time reading it on the run. If I didn’t have [Dillon] there, that ball would’ve been in the stands.”

Morris’ play was even more impressive because he broke several tackles on his way to the end zone. Then his teammates formed a wall and escorted him the rest of the way.

“Oh, man, that’s teamwork,” Morris said. “Honestly, I wanted to run out of bounds because I was very tired.

“I was just trying to be patient and play within the scheme. Coach [Bob McMillen] told me I was going to get a big play, and it came.”

The Rush’s 69 points were a season high, with 41 coming in the second half. Michna completed 20 of 24 passes for 264 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Dillon had six catches for 113 yards and two scores.

The only offensive blemish was Reggie Gray’s fumble in the second quarter.

“I thought this was the first game all season where our offense played well,” McMillen said. “When we don’t turn the ball over, we’re a pretty good football team and we’re going to put points up on the board.”

Vic Hall led the defense with 121/2 tackles and an interception that stole a touchdown from the Vigilantes.