Rush makes the big plays when they count
TAMPA, Fla. -- While it might not have been pretty, it still counts as a win as the Chicago Rush found a way to hold off the Tampa Bay Storm 51-46 Monday night at the St. Pete Times Forum.
With the Rush leading by 5 points and just 28 seconds left to play, defensive back Dennison Robinson recovered a Storm onside kick at the Tampa Bay 22-yard line, and the visitors (8-2) were able to run out the clock for their fourth-consecutive victory.
The Rush now enters its bye week with a 3½ game lead in the Central Division. After a week off, the team returns to action May 19 against the Los Angeles Avengers at the Allstate Arena.
Rush quarterback Russ Michna improved to 5-0 as a starter, completing 18 of 32 passes for 184 yards and 4 touchdowns. Michna also ran for 35 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver Travis LaTendresse was Michna's favorite target, catching 9 passes for 98 yards and 3 touchdowns.
"I was proud of the way we battled tonight," said Rush coach Mike Hohensee. "There were some moments when the game could have turned against us, but we came up with some big plays when we needed them. It is a great way to go into the bye week and get some rest."
In a see-saw game that was tied 24-24 at the half, the Rush took control in the third quarter, taking the opening kickoff and methodically moving down the field. Michna capped the 46-yard drive with an 8-yard TD pass to LaTendresse for a 31-24 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, kicker Dan Frantz forced a fumble by Storm return man Sedrick Robinson. The fumble was recovered by Liam Ezekiel, giving the Rush possession at midfield.
Two plays later, Michna scrambled out of the pocket and ran for a 25-yard touchdown to give the Rush a 37-24 lead.
However, the Storm would not go quietly, cutting the lead to 37-30 when fullback Torrance Marshall scored on a 2-yard run.
The Rush had a chance to take a 14-point lead to open the fourth quarter, but linebacker Lawrence Samuels intercepted a Michna pass in the end zone and returned it to the Storm 21.
Tampa could not fully capitalize on the interception and tie the game, instead, settling for a 19-yard Seth Marler field goal to cut the Rush lead to 37-33 with 9:25 remaining.
One play after a Jonathan Ordway kick return set the Rush up at the Tampa 11-yard line, Damian Harrell caught a pass in corner of the end zone, giving the Rush a 44-33 lead.
The Storm came right back, cutting the deficit to 44-39 on another Marshall two-yard run. However, when Marler missed his second extra point of the game, the Rush held on to its five point lead with 2:20 to play.
The teams exchanged touchdowns in the final minutes, with Michna scoring on a 6-yard run to put the Rush up 51-39, and Storm wide receiver Robinson catching a 5-yard TD pass to reach the final margin