Rush gets a sneaky win

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Updated: July 7, 2011 3:08PM

Rush quarterback Russ Michna isn’t a gambling man, but when his team’s fate was left to the officials Sunday, he was glad to have luck on his side against the Tulsa Talons at Allstate Arena.

With the Rush down by six and the ball inside the Talons’ 1-yard line with five seconds left, Michna was sacked on what looked to be the game-ending play. But offsetting illegal-formation penalties allowed the Rush an untimed down.

The Rush called a quarterback sneak on the next play, and Michna plunged over the line for the tying touchdown. Chris Gould kicked the winning extra point, and the Rush came away with a 49-48 victory.

“You hate to make it that close,” Michna said. “We had a good chance to run away with that game, and we just didn’t do it. A lot of times that’s going to cost you a game in this league, and it’s good to pull one out today.”

The Rush offense seemed to have regressed after its best outing of the year last Sunday against Dallas. It had only 206 total yards and committed three turnovers.

But Michna was quick to remind critics that his squad is still learning a new offense.

Lucky for Michna that he has the league’s most dynamic defense. Entering Sunday, the Rush led the Arena Football League with 31 takeaways.

Vic Hall, who had two interceptions, leads the league with 11.