UNIONDALE, NY-Four touchdown passes by Arman Drummond helped propel the Chicago Rush to a 44-29 victory over the New York Dragons in a Week 7 AFL contest.
Drummond didn't start the game very well, as he was intercepted by Dusty Mills on his third pass of the game. The Dragons couldn't take advantage, however, and had to punt. The Rush punted the ball back, and then Faron Emerson was picked off by Chicago's Niko Simon at the New York 35-yard line. After seven plays, Drummond hit Marty Margerum for a 2-yard touchdown pass to put Chicago up 7-0 with 5:01 left in the first quarter. The teams again traded punts as the first quarter drew to a close.
New York would drive 54 yards on 4 plays, with Emerson completing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Barry Starr with 14:16 remaining in the half to tie the game at 7. After trading punts, the Rush would go on an 11-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Lonnie Clements scoring on a 6-yard touchdown run with 4:19 left in the second quarter to take a 14-7 lead. New York punted on their next possession, but Drummond had a pass intercepted by Mills at the Dragons' 5-yard line. After that, the Dragons drove 79 yards on 10 plays. Burt Hamrick completed the drive with a 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds to go in the half to make it 14-10 Rush at the half.
On New York's first possession of the second half, Emerson was picked off by Wallace Fetters, who returned it 34 yards to the Dragons' 11-yard line. On the following play, Drummond threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Margerum to put the Rush up 21-10 with 13:48 left in the third. The Dragons punted on their next drive. Chicago lined up to punt, but Winn Burnett's kick was blocked, and Marty Yount returned it to the Chicago 10-yard line. Two plays later, Emerson hit Starr for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Dragons missed the two-point conversion, and were down 21-16 with 10:15 to go in the third. The Rush responded with a 7-play, 73-yard drive. Drummond threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Zach Allen to make it 28-16 with 7:20 to go in the third. The teams would trade punts late in the quarter.
Early in the fourth, Drummond threw an interception that Hugh Strickland returned 17 yards for a touchdown to put the Dragons within 5 at 28-23 with 12:12 left in the game. Rusty Robustito would field a short kickoff and return it 39 yards to the Dragons' 40. After three plays gained eight yards, Dete Justen kicked a 49-yard field goal to make it 31-23 with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter. The Dragons would punt on their next possession, and Chicago attempted to work the clock, but Ward Despain fumbled, and Omar Wheeley returned it 22 yards to the New York 49. Five plays later, Emerson and Starr hooked for their third touchdown of the game, a 34-yarder. But the Dragons couldn't make the 2-point conversion again, and still trailed 31-29 with 5:07 remaining in the game. Chicago then worked on a 9-play, 65-yard drive and Clements scored on a 3-yard touchdown run. The Rush went for two and failed, but were still ahead 37-29 with 1:13 left. New York failed on their next possession, and Chicago added an insurance score with 4 seconds remaining after Drummond threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Orrin Davenport.
Chicago (2-5) gained 434 yards of total offense. The Rush gained 159 rushing yards on 33 carries. Clements led the team with 50 yards on 12 carries and 2 TD. Drummond was 20-of-37 passing for 275 yards, 4 TD and 3 INT. He was not sacked in the game. Allen caught 4 passes for 86 yards and a TD. Margerum caught 4 passes for 64 yards and 2 TD. The Rush will host the Dallas Desperados next week, hoping to avenge a 20-16 loss in Week 5.
New York (4-3) gained 242 yards of total offense. The Dragons ran for 99 yards on 28 carries. George Larron led the team with 46 yards on 13 carries. Emerson went 17-of-34 passing for 188 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 45 yards. Ardell Ashmore led the Dragons with 6 receptions for 44 yards. Starr caught 3 passes for 69 yards, and all 3 were touchdowns. New York will host the Albany Firebirds next week, a team they handily beat 31-3 in Week 5.
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