Michna, Rush roll on

The Chicago Rush cruised to its fifth straight victory, 72-28 over the Los Angeles Avengers in a nationally televised blowout before 15,904 Monday at the Allstate Arena.

Six-foot, 265-pound fullback/linebacker Dan Alexander scored the first 2 Rush touchdowns on a 13-yard cutback run and a few minutes later on a 14-yard pass from left-handed quarterback Russ Michna, a Conant High School and Western Illinois product who had 6 TD passes and no interceptions.

"This is something we expected from Russ," Rush coach Mike Hohensee said. "He's a very cerebral kid, a student of the game, and he made some phenomenal plays."

Michna played backup to 15-year veteran and AFL legend Sherdrick Bonner through the first five games of this season.

But when the venerable southpaw, who has thrown 854 career touchdown passes, suffered a knee injury, Michna stepped in and has played well enough to keep the job and help the Rush to a 9-2 mark, a franchise best after 11 games.

With the victory, the Rush clinched the American Conference Central Division title.

Although Bonner is back to 100 percent, Hohensee has decided to stay with the hot hand of Michna, who remained undefeated (6-0) as a starter. He has completed 71.8 percent of his passes with 32 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions.

"I was thrown into a great situation," Michna said. "I have three great receivers and I'm getting excellent protection up front. I'm just trying not to screw it up."

The Avengers fell to 4-8 and suffered their fourth straight loss at the Allstate Arena, including the previous three by 32, 35 and 36 points.

The Rush rolled up a 44-14 halftime lead as Michna tossed 4 first-half TDs, including a pair to Travis LaTendresse (21 and 11 yards).

Michna's fifth TD pass, a 4-yarder that Damian Harrell caught one-handed as he was slammed into the sideboards, put the Rush ahead 50-21. It was the 313th touchdown catch of Harrell's 10-year AFL career.

LaTendresse's third TD catch, a 27-yarder, was Michna's sixth scoring pass, tying his career best, and made it 58-21 late in the third quarter.

Defensive back Dennison Robinson intercepted 3 passes and returned 1 for a touchdown.