2010 Chicago Rush season
Encyclopedia
The 2010
Chicago Rush
season was the 10th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League
. The team was coached by Mike Hohensee
and played their home games at Allstate Arena
. For the 10th consecutive season, the Rush qualified for the playoffs. In the conference semifinals, they lost to the Milwaukee Iron
, 54–64.
on April 2. Their first home game of the season will take place on April 9 as they host the Gladiators. They concluded their regular season in Week 17 visiting the Shock
on July 23, one week earlier than the rest of the league, as the Rush had their second of two bye weeks in Week 18.
All times are EDT
All times are EDT
Week 1: at Iowa Barnstormers
In the league's season opener, the Rush were the first to score when DeJuan Alfonzo
intercepted a pass and took it 9 yards back for a touchdown. The Rush held a 17–0 lead after the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter saw more of the two teams trading scores, but the Rush still led the game at halftime 34–22. The Rush were the only team to score in the 3rd quarter, a 14-yard touchdown pass from Russ Michna
to Allen Turner. The Barnstormers were able to cut the Rush's lead to 10 points in the 4th quarter, but Chicago was able to close them out, winning the game by a final score of 61–43.
The Chicago defense forced six turnovers, including four on Iowa's first four possessions of the game. Quarterback Russ Michna
threw for 261 yards and 6 touchdowns. Samie Parker
led in the receiving department with 104 yards and 2 touchdowns. Josh Ferguson and Nygel Rogers each had two interceptions.
led the Rush on a 7-play, 33 yard drive that ended with a 12-yard field goal by Chris Gould to take the lead with two seconds in the game. After a touchback following the ensuing kickoff, the Gladiators completed a pass, but failed to even get the ball past midfield, ending the game. Michna finished with 315 passing yards, completing 22 of 27 passes with 8 touchdowns.
Week 3: at Arizona Rattlers
Week 4: vs. Utah Blaze
The Rush improved to 4–0 by defeating the winless Blaze at home. Utah took the ball first and scored a touchdown, but it was the only time they would lead in the game. On their first play from scrimmage, the Rush found the end zone on a 34-yard passing touchdown. When Utah got the ball again, the Rush's Clifton Smith blocked a field goal attempt, and then scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run on Chicago's ensuing drive. At halftime, the Rush led 28–14. They received the ball to begin the 3rd quarter and marched up the field for a touchdown, scored on a 3-yard running play. Chicago attempted an onside kick following this score, but it went out of bounds, putting the Blaze 10 yards away from the end zone. Utah only needed one play to score another touchdown and cut their deficit to 35–20, but the Rush did not allow the game to get any closer the rest of the night, winning 63–40.
Russ Michna
threw for 330 yards, a season high, and 7 total touchdowns. For the second consecutive week, Nichiren Flowers was the leading receiver with 129 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chicago held Utah to 40 points, a season-best for the Rush, and the defense stopped three fourth-down attempts by the Blaze offense.
Week 6: at Milwaukee Iron
At halftime, the game was tied at 27–27, but the Rush allowed 34 points in the 3rd quarter alone, a deficit that proved to large to overcome, resulting in the first loss of the season for Chicago. After giving up a touchdown to Milwaukee on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, the Rush turned the ball over on four consecutive possessions. Two of those giveaways were passes by Russ Michna
that were intercepted and returned for touchdowns, while another was a fumble recovered by the Iron in the end zone. At the start of the 4th quarter, the Rush were in a 61–34 hole. Losing by a final score of 71–48, it was the most points the Rush had given up in a single game since 2004. The team's 6 turnovers tied a franchise record set in 2001. Michna's 354 passing yards surpassed the season-high he had totaled in the previous week, and had six touchdowns in the game, four in the air and two on the ground. Kenny Higgins
had 157 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 catches, leading all receivers.
Week 7: vs. Iowa Barnstormers
Week 8: at Dallas Vigilantes
Week 10: vs. Jacksonville Sharks
Week 11: at Utah Blaze
Week 12: vs. Milwaukee Iron
Week 13: vs. Orlando Predators
Week 14: at Tampa Bay Storm
Week 15: vs. Arizona Rattlers
After a close win against Arizona, the Rush clinched a playoff berth.
Week 16: vs. Dallas Vigilantes
Week 17: at Spokane Shock
National Conference semifinals: at Milwaukee Iron
2010 Arena Football League season
The 2010 Arena Football League season was the twenty-third season in the history of the league. The regular season began on April 2, 2010 and ended on July 31...
Chicago Rush
Chicago Rush
The Chicago Rush is an arena football team based in Rosemont, Illinois. It is a member of the Central Division of the National Conference of the Arena Football League. The team was founded in 2001 and is co-owned by Mike Ditka, the Hall of Fame player and coach.The Rush have qualified for the...
season was the 10th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League
Arena Football League
The Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
. The team was coached by Mike Hohensee
Mike Hohensee
Michael Louis Hohensee is an American Arena Football League coach who is regarded as one of the best coaches in the history of the AFL. He was hired to guide the Soul's resumption of play after a two-year hiatus starting in 2011. He resigned on July 27, 2011...
and played their home games at Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena
Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and...
. For the 10th consecutive season, the Rush qualified for the playoffs. In the conference semifinals, they lost to the Milwaukee Iron
Milwaukee Iron
The Milwaukee Mustangs are a professional arena football team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 during the league's restructuring...
, 54–64.
Regular season schedule
The Rush opened their season on the road against the BarnstormersIowa Barnstormers
The Iowa Barnstormers are an arena football team based in Des Moines, Iowa. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring...
on April 2. Their first home game of the season will take place on April 9 as they host the Gladiators. They concluded their regular season in Week 17 visiting the Shock
Spokane Shock
The Spokane Shock is a professional arena football team of the Arena Football League from Spokane, Washington, USA. They play their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena...
on July 23, one week earlier than the rest of the league, as the Rush had their second of two bye weeks in Week 18.
| Week | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Location | Report | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | Record | ||||||||
| 1 | Friday | April 2 | 8:05 pm | at Iowa Barnstormers 2010 Iowa Barnstormers season The 2010 Iowa Barnstormers season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the sixth in the Arena Football League, after three total seasons from 2001–2009 in the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by John Gregory and played their home games at Wells Fargo Arena... |
W 61–43 | 1–0 | Wells Fargo Arena Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines) Wells Fargo Arena is a 16,980-seat multi-purpose arena in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Part of the Iowa Events Center, the arena opened in 2005, at a cost of $99 million.... |
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/index.html?article_id=53 | |
| 2 | Friday | April 9 | 8:00 pm | Cleveland Gladiators 2010 Cleveland Gladiators season The 2010 Cleveland Gladiators season was the 11th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League, and the second while in Cleveland. The team was coached by Steve Thonn and played their home games at Quicken Loans Arena... |
W 59–56 | 2–0 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/index.html?article_id=68 | |
| 3 | Friday | April 16 | 10:30 pm | at Arizona Rattlers 2010 Arizona Rattlers season The 2010 Arizona Rattlers season was the 19th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Kevin Guy and played their home games at US Airways Center... |
W 70–56 | 3–0 | US Airways Center US Airways Center US Airways Center is a sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It opened in 1992, and is the home of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association, the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena... |
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/index.html?article_id=83 | |
| 4 | Friday | April 23 | 8:00 pm | Utah Blaze 2010 Utah Blaze season The 2010 Utah Blaze season is the 4th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Ernesto Purnsley, who was fired on June 1, 2010, with Ron James named as his replacement. Home games are played at the Maverik Center, which was known as the "E Center" prior to... |
W 63–40 | 4–0 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-upends-blaze-63-40 | |
| 5 | Bye | ||||||||
| 6 | Friday | May 7 | 8:30 pm | at Milwaukee Iron 2010 Milwaukee Iron season The 2010 Milwaukee Iron season was the second season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Bob Landsee and played their home games at Bradley Center. For the opening round of the... |
L 48–71 | 4–1 | Bradley Center Bradley Center The Bradley Center is an indoor arena, located on the northwest corner of North 4th and West State Streets, in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-suffers-first-loss-in-milwaukee-71-48 | |
| 7 | Saturday | May 15 | 8:00 pm | Iowa Barnstormers 2010 Iowa Barnstormers season The 2010 Iowa Barnstormers season was the 10th season for the franchise, and the sixth in the Arena Football League, after three total seasons from 2001–2009 in the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by John Gregory and played their home games at Wells Fargo Arena... |
L 30–44 | 4–2 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/iowa-smothers-rush-44-30 | |
| 8 | Friday | May 21 | 8:30 pm | at Dallas Vigilantes 2010 Dallas Vigilantes season The 2010 Dallas Vigilantes season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. With many players of the old Desperados team that put up a 15–1 record in recent years returning, Dallas fans had high hopes for the Vigilantes carrying on with the Desperados' success... |
W 63–56 | 5–2 | American Airlines Center American Airlines Center The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL.... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-outguns-vigilantes-63-56 | |
| 9 | Saturday | May 29 | 7:00 pm | at Cleveland Gladiators 2010 Cleveland Gladiators season The 2010 Cleveland Gladiators season was the 11th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League, and the second while in Cleveland. The team was coached by Steve Thonn and played their home games at Quicken Loans Arena... |
W 52–49 | 6–2 | Quicken Loans Arena Quicken Loans Arena Quicken Loans Arena , is a multi-purpose arena, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States.... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/martin-return-sparks-rush-win-in-cleveland-52-49 | |
| 10 | Friday | June 4 | 8:00 pm | Jacksonville Sharks 2010 Jacksonville Sharks season The 2010 Jacksonville Sharks season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Les Moss and played their home games at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Sharks put together a 12–4 record, winning the South division and was also the top... |
L 56–64 | 6–3 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-bitten-by-sharks-64-56 | |
| 11 | Saturday | June 12 | 9:05 pm | at Utah Blaze 2010 Utah Blaze season The 2010 Utah Blaze season is the 4th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Ernesto Purnsley, who was fired on June 1, 2010, with Ron James named as his replacement. Home games are played at the Maverik Center, which was known as the "E Center" prior to... |
W 70–50 | 7–3 | Maverik Center | http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-puts-out-blaze-in-utah-70-50 | |
| 12 | Saturday | June 19 | 8:00 pm | Milwaukee Iron 2010 Milwaukee Iron season The 2010 Milwaukee Iron season was the second season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Bob Landsee and played their home games at Bradley Center. For the opening round of the... |
W 63–56 | 8–3 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-forges-thrilling-win-over-iron-63-56 | |
| 13 | Saturday | June 26 | 8:00 pm | Orlando Predators 2010 Orlando Predators season The 2010 Orlando Predators season was the 19th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Pat O'Hara and played their home games at Amway Arena. The Predators clinched a playoff berth for the 18th consecutive season by finishing fourth in the American Conference... |
W 55–42 | 9–3 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-holds-off-predators-55-42 | |
| 14 | Friday | July 2 | 7:30 pm | at Tampa Bay Storm 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season The 2010 Tampa Bay Storm season was the 23rd season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Tim Marcum and played their home games at the St. Pete Times Forum.-Regular season schedule:... |
L 60–68 | 9–4 | St. Pete Times Forum St. Pete Times Forum The St. Pete Times Forum is an arena in Tampa, Florida, that has been used for ice hockey, basketball, and arena football games, as well as concerts.... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-can%e2%80%99t-weather-storm-fall-in-tampa-68-60 | |
| 15 | Saturday | July 10 | 8:00 pm | Arizona Rattlers 2010 Arizona Rattlers season The 2010 Arizona Rattlers season was the 19th season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. The team was coached by Kevin Guy and played their home games at US Airways Center... |
W 55–50 | 10–4 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-clinches-playoff-berth-with-55-50-win-over-rattlers | |
| 16 | Saturday | July 17 | 8:00 pm | Dallas Vigilantes 2010 Dallas Vigilantes season The 2010 Dallas Vigilantes season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the Arena Football League. With many players of the old Desperados team that put up a 15–1 record in recent years returning, Dallas fans had high hopes for the Vigilantes carrying on with the Desperados' success... |
L 52–65 (OT) | 10–5 | Allstate Arena Allstate Arena Allstate Arena is a multi-purpose arena, in Rosemont, Illinois.It is home to the Chicago Rush, of the Arena Football League, DePaul University's men's basketball team, the Chicago Wolves, of the AHL, and the Chicago Sky, of the WNBA.It is located near the intersection of Mannheim Road and... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-falls-in-ot-in-home-finale | |
| 17 | Friday | July 23 | 8:00 pm | at Spokane Shock 2010 Spokane Shock season The 2010 Spokane Shock season was the fifth season for the franchise, and the first in the current incarnation of the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season... |
L 49–63 | 10–6 | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena a multi-purpose arena, located in Spokane, Washington, USA.It is home to the Spokane Chiefs, of the WHL and the Spokane Shock, of the AFL.-Construction:... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-shocked-in-spokane-63-49 | |
| 18 | Bye | ||||||||
All times are EDT
Playoff schedule
| Round | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Score | Location | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC Semifinals | Saturday | August 7 | 8:00 pm | at Milwaukee Iron 2010 Milwaukee Iron season The 2010 Milwaukee Iron season was the second season for the franchise, and the first in the Arena Football League, coming from the AF2, which dissolved following the 2009 season. The team was coached by Bob Landsee and played their home games at Bradley Center. For the opening round of the... |
L 54–64 | Bradley Center Bradley Center The Bradley Center is an indoor arena, located on the northwest corner of North 4th and West State Streets, in Downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.... |
http://www.arenarush.com/news/rush-eliminated-in-milwaukee-64-54 |
All times are EDT
Week 1: at Iowa BarnstormersIowa BarnstormersThe Iowa Barnstormers are an arena football team based in Des Moines, Iowa. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring...
In the league's season opener, the Rush were the first to score when DeJuan AlfonzoDeJuan Alfonzo
DeJuan R. Alfonzo is an American football wide receiver/linebacker for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League . Alfonzo attended Indiana State University.-College and NFL career:...
intercepted a pass and took it 9 yards back for a touchdown. The Rush held a 17–0 lead after the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter saw more of the two teams trading scores, but the Rush still led the game at halftime 34–22. The Rush were the only team to score in the 3rd quarter, a 14-yard touchdown pass from Russ Michna
Russ Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
to Allen Turner. The Barnstormers were able to cut the Rush's lead to 10 points in the 4th quarter, but Chicago was able to close them out, winning the game by a final score of 61–43.
The Chicago defense forced six turnovers, including four on Iowa's first four possessions of the game. Quarterback Russ Michna
Russ Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
threw for 261 yards and 6 touchdowns. Samie Parker
Samie Parker
Samie Jabar Parker is an American football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
led in the receiving department with 104 yards and 2 touchdowns. Josh Ferguson and Nygel Rogers each had two interceptions.
Week 2: vs. Cleveland Gladiators
The entire game was closely contended, with the score tied at the end of each of the first three quarters, and neither team led by more than a touchdown all night. With 45 seconds left, and the game tied 56–56, quarterback Russ MichnaRuss Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
led the Rush on a 7-play, 33 yard drive that ended with a 12-yard field goal by Chris Gould to take the lead with two seconds in the game. After a touchback following the ensuing kickoff, the Gladiators completed a pass, but failed to even get the ball past midfield, ending the game. Michna finished with 315 passing yards, completing 22 of 27 passes with 8 touchdowns.
Week 3: at Arizona RattlersArizona RattlersThe Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center...
Week 4: vs. Utah BlazeUtah BlazeThe Utah Blaze is a professional arena football team based in Salt Lake City, Utah and competes in the West division of the Arena Football League. Home games are played at the EnergySolutions Arena.-The original Utah Blaze :...
The Rush improved to 4–0 by defeating the winless Blaze at home. Utah took the ball first and scored a touchdown, but it was the only time they would lead in the game. On their first play from scrimmage, the Rush found the end zone on a 34-yard passing touchdown. When Utah got the ball again, the Rush's Clifton Smith blocked a field goal attempt, and then scored a touchdown on a 1-yard run on Chicago's ensuing drive. At halftime, the Rush led 28–14. They received the ball to begin the 3rd quarter and marched up the field for a touchdown, scored on a 3-yard running play. Chicago attempted an onside kick following this score, but it went out of bounds, putting the Blaze 10 yards away from the end zone. Utah only needed one play to score another touchdown and cut their deficit to 35–20, but the Rush did not allow the game to get any closer the rest of the night, winning 63–40.Russ Michna
Russ Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
threw for 330 yards, a season high, and 7 total touchdowns. For the second consecutive week, Nichiren Flowers was the leading receiver with 129 yards and 3 touchdowns. Chicago held Utah to 40 points, a season-best for the Rush, and the defense stopped three fourth-down attempts by the Blaze offense.
Week 6: at Milwaukee IronMilwaukee IronThe Milwaukee Mustangs are a professional arena football team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 during the league's restructuring...
At halftime, the game was tied at 27–27, but the Rush allowed 34 points in the 3rd quarter alone, a deficit that proved to large to overcome, resulting in the first loss of the season for Chicago. After giving up a touchdown to Milwaukee on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, the Rush turned the ball over on four consecutive possessions. Two of those giveaways were passes by Russ MichnaRuss Michna
Russell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
that were intercepted and returned for touchdowns, while another was a fumble recovered by the Iron in the end zone. At the start of the 4th quarter, the Rush were in a 61–34 hole. Losing by a final score of 71–48, it was the most points the Rush had given up in a single game since 2004. The team's 6 turnovers tied a franchise record set in 2001. Michna's 354 passing yards surpassed the season-high he had totaled in the previous week, and had six touchdowns in the game, four in the air and two on the ground. Kenny Higgins
Kenny Higgins
Kenny Higgins is a gridiron football wide receiver free agent. He was originally signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Toledo....
had 157 yards and 2 touchdowns on 9 catches, leading all receivers.