Michna, Rush return to Allstate with win
Russ Michna wasted no time welcoming football back to the Allstate Arena for the first time in 21 months.
The Conant High School graduate connected with former NFL wideout Samie Parker (9 catches, 148 yards, 3 TDs) on a 42-yard strike on the first play from scrimmage against former NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar's Cleveland Gladiators.
"I told coach it was one of those plays where (Parker) was so wide open that I didn't want to overthrow him," Michna said.
Not a problem.
Michna and his wide receiving corps seemed to be in midseason form after just 31/2 weeks of practice as he completed 22 of 27 passes for 315 yards and 8 touchdowns, leading the Rush to a 59-56 victory.
"This is a feeling-out process," Michna said. "We're going to throw the ball downfield if teams are going to let us. We have three talented receivers."
The play of the night, and possibly the play that signifies this year's team, came when kicker Chris Gould, brother of Bears kicker Robbie Gould, made a touchdown-saving tackle after the Rush took a 56-49 lead with 3:30 left in the game.
"I knew I had to step up for my team and make the tackle," Gould said.
It didn't go unnoticed.
"Chris is a tough competitor," Rush coach Mike Hohensee said. "But sometimes he gets too pumped."
Gould had to step up one more time for his team with five seconds left and the game tied at 56-56.
"The team did a great job," he said. "Give the credit to Alfonzo (DeJuan) and Boss (Robert) for the snap and the hold. All I had to do was swing my leg."
All the members of the Rush were happy to be back at Allstate. Michna called the Allstate Arena "home."
"I love the fans here. The arena," he said. "It's just something special that other arenas don't have."
Hohensee may have been the most excited to be back, however, because he didn't think the league would ever return.
"When I got the call back in December I had a bunch of things flashing through my head," he said. "I haven't been able to enjoy it, but now I'm starting to."