WEEK 1: Chicago Rush @ Milwaukee Mustangs

(March 14, 2011) – The Chicago Rush opened its 2011 season with a 49-41 win on the road in Milwaukee. The victory over the rival Milwaukee Mustangs came in front of a large number of Rush fans who crossed the border to attend the evening’s match at the Bradley Center Monday night.The Rush won the opening coin toss but deferred until the second half. The Mustangs offense came out strong in the first quarter led by Milwaukee’s Eric Ward who took his team down the field quickly with a 48-yard scoring drive that was completed by a 20-yard touchdown pass to Damian Harrell.However, the Rush matched the score quickly when quarterback Russ Michna connected with former Western Illinois teammate, Reggie Gray for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Michna had six additional touchdown passes throughout the night and was named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game.The Rush defense held strong and forced a failed Garrett Lindholm field goal attempt. After Lindholm’s missed field goal the Rush offense scored two additional touchdowns by the end of the first quarter. Michna connected with Charles Dillon for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 3:33 remaining in the first quarter and Reggie Gray also recorded his second touchdown reception of the night with 7-yard catch from Michna following Jason Simpson’s interception. The Rush scored three consecutive touchdowns before Ward and the Mustangs answered in the second quarter with 44-yard touchdown pass to Antoine Smith. Rush Fullback, Johnie Kirton had the first rushing play of the season for the team. Kirton quickly finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown reception from Michna. A Rush pass interference penalty kept the Milwaukee offense alive, and allowed Ward to connect with Brent Holmes for a 6-yard touchdown pass with just over five minutes to play in the half. Following a fumble by Charles Dillon that was recovered by Marcus Everett with just three minutes to go in the half, Milwaukee converted on fourth down with four yards to go to keep the drive alive. Quarterback Eric Ward rushed for a first down before the Rush called a timeout with 44 seconds left on the clock. Ward continued to close the scoring gap by calling a five yard run play to score but Lindholm missed the PAT leaving the Rush with a 1 point command at the end of the first half.The Rush began the second half on the 13 yard line after Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, Jason Simpson returned the opening kick-off for the second half. Rush newcomer Joel Filani scored the touchdown from a Russ Michna pass.In the next drive, the Rush stopped the Mustangs on 4th and 1 yard to go. Vic Hall broke up the pass and the Rush took over on their own 16 yard line. In the next play Michna was sacked for the first time by Milwaukee for a loss of 10 yards. Despite, the sack the Rush gained a first down on an offside penalty by Milwaukee. Joel Filani caught a 10 yard pass for a first down to the Mustangs 23 yard line. Michna completed an 11 yard touchdown pass to his favorite receiver of the night, former Leatherneck Reggie Gray and Gould was on target for the PAT.Milwaukee started the fourth quarter with a fourth down and seven yards to go. That didn’t stop Milwaukee’s offense though as Ward completed a 44 yard touchdown pass to Holmes.The Rush began their return drive at the eight yard line. Michna completed a pass to Dillon, before pitching it to Marcus Waugh who earned the first down at the Milwaukee 17 yard line. However, Milwaukee’s defense stepped up and Kelvin Rogers intercepted Michna’s pass. However, the Mustangs were unable to capitalize on the Rogers interception.The Rush offense came back strong following the interception with a 10 yard Dillon touchdown reception.Reggie Scott continued the offensive drive for the Rush when he recovered a Milwaukee fumble on the 14 year line with just over seven minutes to go in the game. Milwaukee continued to drive and scored late with less than a minute to go on a 15-yard pass from Eric Ward to Harrell. They resumed play with an on-side kick that was recovered by Chicago’s Kelvin Morris with 53 seconds remaining on the game clock. Although still ahead on the scoreboard, the Rush were unable to drive the ball. The Rush failed to gain the first-down and forced a Gould 27 yard field goal attempt. The missed field goal was returned by Holmes to the 12 yard line but Joe Clermond sacked Ward for a loss of nine yards on the play ending the game with a 49-41 Rush victory.In evaluating his team, Rush Head Coach Bob McMillen stated “ I loved the way our guys played tonight. We had a couple of guys go down injured but other players stepped up.“We have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time to get ready for our home opener this Friday but I like that we got our first victory under our belt. It’s nice to start off the season with a win,” he continued.