Ferguson denies Rattlers as Rush defense holds

The Chicago Rush was in the midst of rebounding from a tough loss the previous week by dominating the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.

And when the Rush (10-4) took a 55-42 lead late in the game, not one of the 8,452 in attendance thought the game would be decided on the last play of the game.

That's when Josh Ferguson stepped up and made the biggest play he's made all season.

The Rattlers (8-5) had quickly rallied and trailed 55-50 with the ball on the Rush 5-yard line with two seconds left. Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila, tied with Rush quarterback Russ Michna for the league lead in completion percentage, dropped back to look for his favorite target of the night, Rod Windsor.

Windsor (15 catches, 179 yards, 2 TDs) was in the middle of the end zone when Davila delivered the ball to him, but Ferguson was able to wrestle it away to secure a Rush victory.

"I knew he was coming at me," said the 5-foot-7 Ferguson, who was covering the much larger Windsor (6-4).

"He doesnt quit," said Rush coach Mike Hohensee of Ferguson. "This team loves him, and he feeds off that."

Somewhat overshadowed by Ferguson's big play and the down-to-the-wire victory was the performance of Rush receiver Syvelle Newton. Playing in his third game with the Rush, Newton caught 7 passes for 125 yards and 4 touchdowns.

According to Hohensee, last week's loss was tough on Newton, who had a costly drop and fumble at Tampa Bay.

"He didn't take his equipment off for an hour after the game," said Hohensee. "He put the loss on his shoulders."

During the past week of practice, Hohensee was faced with a tough decision. Receiver Kenny Higgins came off injured reserve and was available to play, but Hohensee chose Newton because he felt Newton had a better week of practice.

"I didn't even know I was going to play until coach told me Friday," said Newton.

The victory clinches the Rush's ninth straight playoff berth and sets its magic number for clinching the division at 2.

The Rush is home again next Saturday against the Dallas Vigilantes.