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Kansas City – Quarterback Russ Michna hit Travis LaTendresse with a 15-yard touchdown with just six seconds remaining, and the Chicago Rush held off the Kansas City Brigade 49-42 at Sprint Center Monday evening.
The win increased Chicago ’s record to 5-2, while the Brigade remained winless at 0-6.
“We knew this was going to be a difficult game,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “ Kansas City has a very solid defense and it is just a matter of time before it all comes together for them. I am proud of the way we hung in there and came out with a win.”
Michna completed 20 of 28 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns, including the game winner, while making his second start of the season. He got the nod over Sherdrick Bonner, who missed the game with a knee injury.
After breezing to a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Rush struggled for the final three quarters. And although Chicago never trailed the Brigade, the game was filled with tense moments for the Rush.
After Rush kicker Dan Frantz had a 26-yard field goal attempt blocked with the Rush leading 42-35, Kansas City moved down the field and tied the game at 42-42 on a nine-yard TD run by Dawan Moss with just 2:34 left in the game.
The offense never panicked, however, and Michna worked the clock perfectly, leading the team down the field and into position for the game winning TD.
Then the defense shut the door on a final “Hail Mary” pass by Brigade quarterback D. Bryant, ending the game.
Like last week in Orlando the Rush had several opportunities to expand it lead early in the game, but could not capitalize.
Leading 28-21 with 49 seconds left in the first half, the Rush was unable to extend its lead before the break as Michna threw his first career regular season interception with just four seconds remaining in the half.
Then, on its first possession of the second half, Chicago again failed to push its lead back to 14 points as Michna was sacked and fumbled at the Brigade 21-yard line.
After the Brigade tied the game at 28-28 with 9:11 remaining in the third quarter, Chicago looked like it was going to take charge again.
Talib Wise set the Rush up with good field position, returning the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to the KC 17-yard line. Three plays later DeJuan Alfonzo scored on a three-yard run and the Rush had regained the lead, 35-28.
The Rush then dodged a bullet on Kansas City ’s next possession. The defense forced the Brigade to settle for 27-yard field goal attempt, which kicker Peter Martinez missed wide left. Wise, however, fumbled the ball off the net and it looked like Kansas City had recovered for a TD. Fortunately for Chicago , the Brigade was charged with kick-catch interference and the Rush retained possession.
Early in the fourth quarter the Rush pushed its lead back to 14, as Dan Alexander scored on a two-yard run to put Chicago up 42-28 with 13:37 to play.
But the Brigade would not go away cutting the game to 42-35 when Bryant connected with Jerel Myers on a 14-yard TD pass with 11:44 remaining, setting up the tense final minutes.
Notes: In addition to Bonner, the Rush also played without starting defensive lineman John Moyer and starting DB Jonathan Ordway, both of whom were injured in last week’s game in Orlando … Rush defensive back Jeremy Unertl intercepted a pass in the end zone on the final play of the first half and DB James Sadler intercepted a pass in the end zone on the final play of the game.
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