Despite all of the excitement, anticipation, and positive energy heading into tonight’s game, the energy was anything but positive as the Rush lose the 2013 season opener to the Iowa Barnstormers. Miscues and poor offense in the first half, followed by some bad plays and turnovers in the second half, left the Rush playing catch up all night.

Some costly errors within the first few minutes of tonight’s contest put the Rush behind early. Here is how it all went down:

The first quarter was a very low scoring affair. Iowa scored first when J.J. Raterink threw a touchdown pass from midfield to wide receiver Collin Taylor. Assisting that play was Rush defensive back Jorrick Calvin who slipped and fell on the turf while in coverage. The good thing is that defensive end Anthony Hoke sacked the holder to break up the extra point, Iowa led 6-0 early on.

On the Rush’s opening possession they marched into the red zone in just five plays. But after three straight incomplete passes by Carson Coffman, the Rush attempted a 12-yard field goal. Joe Martinez missed wide right allowing the Barnstormers to hang onto their 6-0 lead.

A couple of drives later, the Barnstormers would score again. After an unnecessary roughness penalty put them at 3rd and 20 from their own 8-yard line, Raterink again found some luck when Rush defensive back Joe Phinisee lost his footing on the turf allowing Darius Reynolds to score. Iowa missed the extra point again but still lead 12-0.

The Rush’s only score in the first came from a 4-yard touchdown pass from Carson Coffman to Reggie Gray. This cut the deficit to 12-7. As the second quarter began, Iowa again created another scoring drive capped off by a Raterink touchdown pass to receiver Marco Thomas off of a screen pass from three yards out. Iowa increased their lead to 19-7 at that point.

Midway through the second, the Rush would get back into it when Carson Coffman found Rodney Wright from 14 yards away to cut Iowa’s lead to 19-14. Just before the one minute warning J.J. Raterink found Iowa wide receiver Darius Reynolds for the second time in the corner of the end zone from 10 yards away to add to their lead, it was now 26-14.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rodney Wright could not recover the ball for the Rush after it bounced off of the net. Iowa would recover and score an easy touchdown, the Barnstormers led 33-14 by this point. The Rush would try to score one more time, but a sack on Coffman and poor clock management prevented that.

Then with just 10 seconds before halftime, Iowa would score again to add insult to injury. A pass by Raterink bounced off of the net but was recovered by Collin Taylor for his second touchdown of the evening. They would once again miss an extra point but the damage was none the less as they now led 39-14.

The Rush would manage to get some form of damage control before halftime. The Rush had one more play and Carson Coffman threw a 6-yard bullet to Reggie Gray for his second touchdown of the game. Iowa took at 39-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. When the second half began the Rush had the first possession and made good use of it.

Coffman threw his fourth touchdown pass to Reggie Gray from 24 yards out. It was Gray’s third TD catch of the night, and it cut Iowa’s lead to 39-28. But the Barnstormers would come back on their next drive and despite three straight penalties in the red zone, Iowa still managed to score to increase their lead to 46-28.

The Rush would come right back on the next drive as Reggie Gray would haul in his fourth touchdown catch of the night. This cut Iowa’s lead to 11, 46-35. Once the fourth quarter began, Iowa was hanging onto that 11-point lead. But they would add to it with a J.J. Raterink quarterback sneak, they were now up 53-35.

The Rush would make it a back and forth affair after Rodney Wright caught his second touchdown pass to make it a 53-41 game. The Barnstormers would come right back with 5:50 remaining and increase their lead to 19, 60-41. On the ensuing possession, Carson Coffman would throw his first pick in a Rush uniform to kill a four play, 20 plus yard drive.

The Rush would get the ball back but only for Coffman to throw another drive killing pick. After that pick things started to get chippy as both teams began to push and shove, leading to penalties and two ejections, one for each team. The Barnstormers would continue to add insult to injury by adding a field goal at the one minute warning to make it a 63-41 ball game.

The Rush would get one last drive, but they decided to run out the clock to end the game instead of scoring. The Rush lose their 2013 home opener, and their first home opener since since 2008 by the final score of 63-41. Here is tonight’s box score:

Even though they allowed J.J. Raterink and Darius Reynolds to combine for four of Iowa’s six touchdowns, among the other mistakes, there were still some positives. Reggie Gray caught four touchdown passes tonight, he now has 101 touchdown receptions for his career.

Rush linebacker Kelvin Morris went unnoticed for his nine tackles, and new quarterback Carson Coffman managed to throw for 225 yards and 6 touchdowns in his first game in a Rush uniform. After the game, head coach Bob McMillen, receiver Reggie Gray, and defensive back Jorrick Calvin all spoke at the post-game press conference.

I give them a ton of credit for speaking with the media considering how much of a foul mood they were all in. You’ll see what I mean when you look at their body language in the video below:

I also spoke with a visibly upset Reggie Gray:

Next week the Rush will resume the season on Easter Sunday when the Spokane Shock comes into town. The Shock has always given the Rush a hard, they split the season series last year 1-1. Both teams are physical against one another and I expect next week to be no different.

The Shock was one of the teams that kept the Rush out of the playoffs last year. There is no doubt that the Rush will be looking for some #REDemption this time around. For sports anytime, follow me on Twitter @GabeSalgado82 #Q101Sports

 

After one of the more chaotic off seasons in team history, the 2013 Chicago Rush have made it to opening day. And they do so with a new look, new colors, new uniforms, and a new attitude. Today they take on their bitter division rivals, the Iowa Barnstormers. The Barnstormers are coached by former Rush head coach Mike Hohensee, who called the shots at Allstate Arena from 2001-2010.

He was the brains behind the operation that led the Rush to their only Arena Bowl title back in 2006. He is familiar with his counter part, former Rush fullback and current head coach Bob McMillen. McMillen in in his third season as the head coach of the Rush. He was the Rush starting fullback from 2002-2007, then transitioned into coaching from there.

He began as Mike Hohensee’s fullback/linebacker coach and held that position from 2008-2010. When Hohensee departed Chicago in 2011, McMillen took over the head coaching job and still holds the position to this day. There are a lot of new faces on this years roster. But just like Hohensee, Coach McMillen has a nack for finding undiscovered talent.

The Rush led by new over David Staral, made sure to bring in plenty of solid players for this years roster. Aside from Coach Hohensee, Iowa is led by veteran AFL quarterback J.J. Raterink. He is in his third season as their signal caller and would like to get payback from last season’s sweep by the Rush.

Throwing the ball for the Rush is Carson Coffman. He was brought in during the offseason after the retirerment of Russ Michna and the departure of Luke Drone. He will be backed up by Zach Frazer. There are still a few players leftover from last season. Reggie Gray, J.J. Payne, Derek Walker, Darrell Campbell, Kelvin Morris, Vic Hall, Semaj Moody, and Jorrick Calvin still wear Rush jerseys.

But there are some new players ready to come in and make an impact. Wide receiver Nate Forse has been around the block in the Arena Football League. He played with Orlando last season. Defensive lineman Anthony Hoke has played in both the AFL and NFL and he now brings his talents to Chicago.

There is all new offensive line, a few other players mixed in here and there, and a new kicker. Jose Martinez takes over the kicking duties which were held by Mike Salerno in 2012. As the old saying goes, “Out with the old and in with the new.” And that is the approach the Rush will take this season as they try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Last year was the only year in franchise history in which the Rush did not make the postseason. Their record of 10-8 wasn’t enough to get a playoff spot. This year they will try to change the mistakes from last year that put them in that position. The Rush were only 3-6 on the road last year, that has to change.

They also struggled in Central Division play, this also needs to change. They also need to limit turnovers and perform better on special teams. Here are the starting lineups for both teams today:

Rush:

Offense:

QB: #11 Carson Coffman

FB: #34 J.J. Payne

WR: #1 Reggie Gray

WR: #2 Rodney Wright

WR: #10 Nate Forse

OG: #79 Steve Edwards {Former Chicago Bear}

C: #66 Jeff Maddux

TE: #75 Colin Madison

Defense:

DE: #91 Derek Walker

NT: #92 Darrel Campbell

DE: #12 Anthony Hoke

MLB: #7 Tyus Jackson

JLB: #11 Kelvin Morris

DB: #4 Vic Hall

DB: #14 Jorrick Calvin

DB: #3 Joe Phinisee

Barnstormers:

Offense:

QB: #11 J.J. Raterink

FB: #41 Kai Brown

WR: #2 Collin Talyor

WR: #3 Marco Thomas

WR: #7 Darius Reynolds

G: #77 Michael Garrity

C: #72  Dace Richardson

TE: #70 Jayson Palmgren

Defense:

DL: #23 Rodney Gnat

DL: #53 Mike Lewis

DL: #55 Odrick Ray

LB: #57 Darnell Carter

LB: #5 John Mohring

DB: #1 Errick McIntosh

DB: #12 Mike Williams

DB: #6 Jason Simpson

Kickoff will be underway shortly. You can follow me on Twitter for game updates @GabeSalgado82 #Q101Sports #REDemption

 

 

After a sluggish start in the first half, the Rush picked up the pace on both sides of the ball in the second. The Rush walk out of Allstate Arena with a  61-50 victory and here’s how it all went down:

First Quarter: Iowa won the coin toss and on their first possession they started shakey. Barnstormers QB J.J. Raternik was sacked twice, called for intentional grounding, and even almost committed a turnover. But a big 4th down conversion got them in the red zone. They would score 3 plays later when Raternik found Wide Receiver Collin Taylor from 4 yards out. Iowa led 7-0. When the Rush offense took the field they started on their own 3 yard line after a poor kick return by Reggie Gray.

After back to back dropped passes by Jared Perry and Terrance Turner, the Rush got lucky with a pass interference call against Iowa on 3rd down. Then Reggie Gray took it all the way down to the Iowa 1 on the next play. Then Rush on 1st and goal lined up in their diamond formation with Kelvin Morris at Fullback, Luke Drone at Quarterback, and J.J. Payne and Jeffery Fitzgerald as tight ends. Luke Drone would quarterback sneak it in to tie the game at 7 with 5 minutes left in the 1st.

On Iowa’s next possession it appeared that they fumbled on second down and Rush Linebacker Kelvin Morris recovered. But Iowa challenged the call and won their challenge, and on the next play J.J. Raternik found Wide Receiver Marco Thomas from 16 yards out to take a 14-7 lead with 2:19 left. Just before the quarter ended the Rush took the ball down to the Iowa 18 yard line after Russ Micha found Reggie Gray wide open in the open field. Afterwards Micha would hit Jared Perry for a 10 yard gain. The Rush ended the quarter with 2nd and goal from the Iowa 8 yard line.

Second Quarter: On the 2nd play of the quarter, Russ Michna found his favorite target in Reggie Gray from the 8 yard line to tie the game at 14. Over 10 minutes would go by until J.J. Raternik pulled a quarterback sneak from the 1 yard line to take a 21-14 lead with 9:05 left before halftime. Almost 4 minutes later, Rush Receiver Terrance Turner would dodge 5 Barnstormer defenders and take a Russ Michna pass 18 yards to tie the game at 21 with 4:39 left before halftime.

Just before the 1 minute warning, Iowa marches all the way down to the Rush 10 before J.J. Raternik finds Receiver Jesse Schmidt from 10 yards deep to give Iowa a 28-21 lead just before the 1 minute warning. But poor clock management kept the Rush on getting another touchdown before the half. They would settle for a 20 yard field goal from Mike Salerno. Rush were down 28-24 at halftime.

Third Quarter: After getting a 12 yard kick return to start the 2nd half, Reggie Gray on the first offensive play of the half would catch a 38 yard touchdown pass to give the Rush a 31-28 lead with 13:50 on the clock. With that catch Gray broke the Rush Record for all-purpose touchdowns. But Iowa would battle back on their first possession of the half when J.J. Raternik would once again score a rushing touchdown from the 1 yard line. Iowa took at 35-31 lead with 8:52 left in the 3rd.

When the Rush got the ball back, Russ Michna found Jared Perry who took it 47 yards to the Iowa 3. But on the next play they would get called for delay of game which pushed them back to the 7. Perry would come through on the next play with a 6 yard catch from Russ Michna. On the next play Kelvin Morris lined up at wide receiver and took the pitch from Michna 1 yard into the end zone to retake the lead 38-35 with 6 minutes left.

But Iowa would not be denied. On a huge third down deep in their own territory, J.J. Raternik threw a 40 yard bomb to Jesse Schmidt for his second touchdown catch of the game. Iowa now led 42-38 with 3:25 left in the third. But almost immediately Marquis Hamilton took a Russ Michna pass from 45 yards out to score and put the Rush back up 45-42 with 2:06 left in the 3rd. At this point it was becoming a back and forth game.

When Iowa returned their next kickoff they ended up getting tackled for a safety after Iowa Receiver Collin Taylor tried to re-route his return through the end zone but was caught from behind by the Rush, A safety was called and the Rush added to their lead 47-42. They would also get the ball back. And 2 plays after the kickoff, Russ Micha hits Terrance Turner from 42 yards out but Salerno missed the extra point. But the Rush still had an 11 point lead 53-42 with 6 seconds left.

Iowa would end the 4th with a touchback on their following kick return. Rush leads 53-42 after 3.

Fourth Quarter: Iowa drove all the way into the Rush red zone and scored when Iowa Fullback Rodney Filer scored on a 2 yard run. But Iowa missed the extra point that followed so the Rush lead 53-48 with 10:32 left. When the Rush got the ball back, they scored in just 5 plays. They capped off the drive with Luke Drone faking the QB sneak and instead pasing it to Terrance Turner for a 1 yard score. But then the Rush would fake the extra point when Drone would pitch it to Kicker Mike Salerno who ran in the 2 point conversion.

The Rush now had a commanding 61-48 lead with 8:24 left in the game. When Iowa got back on offense they committed 4 straight penalties. But they did manage to get to the Rush 1 yard line only to be stopped on 4th down. The Rush had the ball back with 2 minutes left. But the Rush failed to run out the clock as the Barnstormers would get the ball back with :46 left in the game. Iowa did score with :33 left but it was called back due to offensive pass interference.

Iowa now had the ball 3rd & goal from the 18. Rush Defensive End Pierre Walters got a huge sack on the next play to force 4th and goal. Then on 4th down Iowa was stopped right at the 1 yard line with :16 seconds left. The Rush would fail to run out the clock as Kelvin Morris would take a handoff and get knocked back into the end zone for a Safety. The Rush lead was cut to 61-50 with 7 seconds remaining. But on the insuing kickoff, Rush Kicker Mike Salerno kicked a touchback giving Iowa the ball on their own 5 yard line.

Iowa would get 2 more plays but the Rush would hang on to win 61-50. Stay tuned for my full post-game report!

The Rush are only down by 4 at the half. But that’s because they let Iowa score early, along with miscues and poor clock management the Rush find themselves behind instead of ahead. Russ Michna has thrown 2 touchdown passes to Reggie Gray and Terrance Turner. The other touchdown came from a 1 yard run by backup Quarterback Luke Drone. And just before halftime Mike Salerno kicked a 20 yard field goal. But Iowa Quarterback J.J. Raternik has thrown 3 touchdown passes to 3 different receivers. Raternik also has a rushing touchdown to his credit as well.

The Rush need to stop making mistakes and get it together on defense if they are going to take over in the 2nd half. You can continue to follow me on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Hashtag: #Q101Sports Here are the halftime stats: http://livestats.prestosports.com/chicagorush/fball/?e=a1brgp62sbq5rupb

Today the Chicago Rush will be playing with a lot of emotion and anger. They welcome the Iowa Barnstormers to the Allstate Arena, a team in which the Rush defated 62-61 back on March 31st. The Rush have gone 1-2 in their last three games. They narrowly defeated Milwaukee two weeks ago, the week before that they suffered a heart breaking loss at Georgia, and last week they lost by just 1 point to San Antonio. One of the issues during this stretch is the Rush defense which had been solid most of the season. In the last three games the Rush defense has given up a total of 187 points.

Another issue has been various times of inconsistency on offense. But Head Coach Bob McMillen says that the Rush will improve against Iowa today. The Barnstormers are coached by former Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee. Hohensee who still has a residence here in the Chicago area, says he still loves the Chicago area but at the same time this is business. And considering that the Rush and the Barnstormers have become bitter division rivals, this game will be full of hard hits, physical play, and intensity.

You can follow me during the game on Twitter: @GabeSalgado82 Hashtag: #Q101Sports

And stay tuned here to Q101.com for my halftime update. In the meantime here are some interviews I conducted before the game.

Rush Linebacker Kelvin Morris:

Former Rush Head Coach Mike Hohensee: