Friday, January 13, 2017

AFL: Chicago Beats Milwaukee, 33-20

MILWAUKEE-Lonnie Clements rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in aiding the Chicago Rush to a 33-20 win over the Milwaukee Mustangs in a Week 13 AFL game.

After both teams traded punts, Milwaukee got on the board first with a 10-play, 61-yard drive ending with a 27-yard field goal by Rock Philbrook to take a 3-0 lead with 6:57 to go in the first quarter. Chicago went three-and-out, but Rory Bane fumbled the return and Keith Headrick recovered for the Rush at the Mustangs' 27-yard line. Five plays later, Arman Drummond threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ward Despain to give the Rush a 7-3 lead with 4:09 remaining in the first. The Mustangs answered with a 6-play, 67-yard drive ending with a 30-yard field goal by Philbrook with 29 seconds left in the first to make it 7-6.

The teams would trade punts through much of the second quarter. Late in the quarter, the Mustangs had the ball at their own 17, and JC George would get sacked on consecutive plays, the second in the end zone by Cletis Valiant for a safety to give the Rush a 9-6 lead with 3:29 remaining in the half. After the safety kick, the Rush drove 66 yards on 9 plays. Chicago lined up for a 35-yard field goal, but backup QB Hershel Kimbrell faked the attempt and fired an 18-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Falcinelli with 5 seconds remaining in the half to put Chicago up 16-6.

Much like the second quarter, the teams punted through much of the third quarter. Milwaukee had chance to score, but Philbrook would miss a 41-yard field goal. The Rush would take the ball and drive 69 yards on 13 plays. Clements would finish the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run extending Chicago's lead to 23-6 with 11:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee would try to come back, and moved the ball 71 yards on 11 plays. George finished the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass to C.C. Cage, his 10th touchdown catch of the season, to make it 23-13 with 8:18 left in the game. The Mustangs would recover the onside kick, but Loren Wilkinson intercepted a George pass and returned it 21 yards to the Milwaukee 24-yard line. Four plays later, Clements ran in from 2 yards out to make it 30-13 with 5:22 remaining in the game. George would fumble on a scramble for the Mustangs, and Wilkerson recovered at the Milwaukee 42-yard line. After 9 plays netted 23 yards, Dete Justen kicked a 36-yard field goal to put the Rush up 33-13 with 1:03 left in the game. But the Mustangs went down fighting, and a 5-play, 68-yard drive ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass from George to Alza Kenworthy on the final play of the game.

Chicago (5-8) gained 266 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 119 yards on 35 carries. Despain led the team with 49 yards on 13 carries. Drummond went 13-of-27 passing for 163 yards and a TD. He was sacked four times, losing 34 yards. Marty Margerum was Chicago's leading receiver with 3 catches for 43 yards. Next week, the Rush are on the road visiting the Albany Firebirds.

Milwaukee (7-6) gained 363 yards of total offense. The Mustangs ran for 88 yards on 21 carries. Chester Brice led the team with 60 yards on 7 carries. Brice also led the receivers with 6 catches for 40 yards. George went 21-of-41 passing for 308 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 33 yards. Next week, the Mustangs visit the Detroit Drive.

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