By: 04/07/2012 10:06 PM - CHICAGO (April 7, 2012)- New faces for the Kansas City Command offense were given no time to get acclimated as the Chicago Rush sped along to a 69-40 victory in front of 5,854 fans at Allstate Arena.
All the Chicago Rush needed was the ability to get the ball. A seven-minute opening drive by the Command gave Kansas City their only lead of the night. Recently acquired QB Matt Gutierrez began the game completing five of seven passes, connecting with WR Syvelle Newton for a seven-yard touchdown pass to take the early lead 6-0.
From there, the Chicago air raid began. QB Russ Michna would only need eight minutes and forty-two seconds of the first half to throw six touchdown passes. WR Jared Perry would be his first target, hitting him on a 16-yard pass that came directly after Perry deflected away a would-be interception. Perry would go on to finish the night leading the team in receiving with 10 receptions for 175 yards and 5 touchdowns. WR Reggie Graywouldn’t be far behind totaling 7 catches for 125 yards and 3 touchdowns.
“All of our wide receivers have their own unique strengths and that’s exactly what makes them dangerous as a whole. I beg (Head Coach Bob McMillen) every week to activate all four,” QB Russ Michna stated.
The quick strike offense gave way to an opportunistic Rush defense that limited the Command offense to five scoring drives on thenight. Halting their offensive chances were five Kansas City drives that wouldn’t go further than twenty yards.
Chicago LB Kelvin Morris would get his third interception on the season and DB Vic Hall grabbed his first of 2012 by denying a Command touchdown in the second quarter. All in all it would create a run of 35 unanswered points building a 42-13 halftime advantage.
Coming out of the locker room, QB Russ Michna would continue the quick strikes hitting WR Jared Perry on his fourth touchdown one minute and forty-eight seconds into the 2nd half. A 23-yard touchdown delivery to WR Reggie Gray one possession later would be Michna’s last throw of the evening. Michna finished the game 17-20 for 311 yards, 7 TD and no interceptions.
Rush DB Vic Hall would add 7 tackles to his AFL leading total. DT Derek Walker would chase down QB Matt Gutierrez for a sack, pushing his total to two for the season. Newly assigned Rush QB Luke Drone would capitalize on Michna’s early exit, completing 5-7 passes for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Recently assigned WR Bradly Chavez, who finished with 9 catches for 104 yards and 3 touchdowns, paced the Kansas City offensive attack on way to being named the AFL Playmaker of the Game. Command QB Matt Gutierrez finished the game 23-39 for 258 yards, 5 TD and 2 INT.
With their fourth straight victory the Chicago Rush head to Atlanta next week to take on Georgia aiming for a franchise best 5-0 start.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – CHI QB Russ Michna
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – CHI DB Vic Hall
JLS Ironman of the Game – CHI FB/LB Kelvin Morris
AFL Playmaker of the Game – KC Bradly Chavez
Cutters Catch of the Game – CHI WR Reggie Gray 23-yard touchdown catch
Spalding Highlight of the Game – KC J.C. Neal 16-yard fumble return for a touchdown (3rd Q – 1:38)
National Guard MVP – CHI WR Jared Perry
ABOUT CHICAGO RUSH
Rush season ticket and flex plans are currently on sale with prices starting as low as $8 per ticket and can be purchased by calling the Chicago Rush office at 855.RUSH.WIN (855.787.4946) or by visiting our website at arenarush.com. Single game tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Coming off their best regular season record (13-5), the 2006 ArenaBowl Champion Chicago Rush will be look to make their 11th straight playoff appearance in 2012 under the leadership of Coach Bob McMillen. The Rush kick off the season on Saturday,March 10th with the home opener at the Allstate Arena against the Tampa BayStorm at 7 p.m. Stay informed and up to date with the latest team news by following the Rush on Facebook and Twitter.
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