OUCH!
Injuries to Moyer and Bleisath compound beating by Dallas

By: Gary Zahara
Photos: Richie Pawlak

This loss hurts. Literally.

There was no magic comeback this time. The injury bug has hit the Chicago Rush in a big way instead. Defensive leader John Moyer and D. J. Bleisath checked into the Rush 'Mash' unit a few minutes apart. Moyer sprained his left knee and Bleisath injured his ankle and was helped off on a stretcher. X-rays were negative as well as the games result.

The Dallas Desperados came into the Allstate Arena for a matinee tilt and destroyed the Rush 59-42 in front of 13,503. The loss snapped Chicago's two-game winning streak and gave Dallas a conference leading 5-1 record and their first win in Chicago.

"The biggest thing on my mind are the players we're going to lose and for how long. (Moyer) came into the locker at half and said he could go, but we certainly weren't going to push it. We will know more about D. J. tomorrow," coach Mike Hohensee said. "We had no rhythm today, Dolezel picked us apart. There was nothing positive for us in this game. I want to make sure I have twenty healthy guys for Friday's game(against Colorado)."

The Rush(3-3) missed a huge opportunity to leap over Nashville for second place thanks to their loss to Arizona Saturday night. They remain a game behind the Kats, but more importantly two games behind Colorado. The defending AFL champions visit Allstate Arena Friday night in what could make or break Chicago's chances for a division title.

It didn't help that Chicago coughed up the ball four times, losing three while being penalized 9 times for 62 yards. Mostly leading to Dallas scores instead of defensive stops.

Dallas quarterback Clint Dolezel continued his career passing dominance against the Rush with a 25 for 32 221 yard, five touchdown effort. Dolezel used quick passes to keep the Rush defense on its toes all day. He has thrown 51 TD passes in ten games against the Men in Blue.

"We took offense in reading Colorado's comments in the papers and online that we couldn't finish games. I think this game serves notice that we can finish anybody off," Dolezel said.

Even with Dolezel's near flawless first half, the Rush only trailed 28-22. Kicker Dan Frantz was responsible for nine of those points hitting all three of his field goals, including a career long 52 yard bomb.

After holding Dallas to a 25 yard field goal on its opening possession of the second half, the Rush were poised to begin another magical comeback. But Matt D'Orazio was sacked by Colston Weatherington on the second play of their possession and coughed up the ball which was recovered by Duke Pettijohn in the endzone for a touchdown.

The Rush never recovered.

D'Orazio, usually Mr. Comeback in the third and fourth quarter, had his cape ripped off with three sacks in a 20-32, 233 yard, three touchdown performance.

C.J. Johnson snared twelve D'Orazio passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Rush fullback Bob McMillen, who broke then lost the AFL rushing record last week had no carries for the first time in his Rush career. He holds at seven yards to break the record. It got so bad that McMillen had to fill in on the offensive line because of the injuries to Moyer and Bleisath.

"That's the kind of team player he is. Always looking to help his team win," said Hohensee.

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