Defeat drops Rush to 10-4

CLEVELAND -- The Chicago Rush needs to find a way to break a habit that's becoming nasty.

For the third straight week, the Rush fell behind early and was forced to playing catch-up. But the Cleveland Gladiators held on, taking a 65-44 victory at Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday night.

The loss dropped the Rush to 10-4 with two regular-season games left and prevented the team from clinching homefield advantage throughout the American Conference playoffs.

"We certainly did not play very well tonight," said Rush coach Mike Hohensee. "I thought Cleveland played more physical than we did, and I can assure everyone that we will not let that happen again. I know for sure that we will be ready to play next week in Georgia."

Former Rush quarterback Raymond Philyaw completed 14 of 19 passes for 222 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Gladiators (8-6).

The Gladiators' defense and special teams played pivotal roles in the second quarter. Trailing 14-7, the Rush stalled at the Gladiators' 22-yard line. New Rush kicker Paul Edinger, who was signed this week after Dan Frantz was released, missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt.

Kick returner Otis Amey grabbed the ball off the iron and returned it 50 yards for a TD to give the Gladiators a 21-7 lead.

On the Rush's next possession, quarterback Russ Michna (6 TD passes) was hit as he threw and his pass was intercepted by DB Brandon Hefflin at the 5-yard line. Hefflin returned it 45 yards for a TD, and the Gladiators took a 28-7 lead with 10:58 to go in the first half.

Trailing 38-17 at intermission, the Rush scored when tight end Robert Boss caught a 7-yard TD pass from Michna to cap a 45-yard drive.

But the Gladiators extended their lead to 45-24 when Amey (6 catches for 125 yards and 3 TDs) snared a 13-yard touchdown pass.