Rush falls in playoffs

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The injury-riddled Chicago Rush fell to the Milwaukee Iron 64-54 in the opening round of the Arena Football League playoffs on Saturday night.

"We just didn't have the healthy bodies on the field to compete tonight against an opponent that I feel is very capable of winning the ArenaBowl," said Rush coach Mike Hohensee. "We were so banged up - especially on the offensive line - that we just couldn't give our quarterback enough time to make things happen.

"Despite the way things ended, I really enjoyed coaching this team. The players worked hard all season and were a joy to be around. I would have liked to have seen how things would have turned out if we had been completely healthy."

Josh Ferguson intercepted a Chris Greisen pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to give the Rush (10-7) a 27-20 lead with 11:27 left in the first half, but it was short-lived.

Greisen connected with Damian Harrell of the Iron (12-5) for 5 touchdowns.

Rush quarterback J.J. Raterink was 25 of 42 for 295 yards with 7 touchdown passes and 1 interception.