AFL: Rush Defeat Rattlers, 31-15

PHOENIX-The Chicago Rush defeated the Arizona Rattlers 31-15 during Week 6 of the AFL season.

After trading punts to start the game, Chicago drove 69 yards on 7 plays. Hershel Kimbrell finished the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marty Margerum to give the Rush a 7-0 lead with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter.

After another Arizona punt, the Rush would drive 79 yards on 7 plays. Kimbrell would throw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Finley Gentry to extend the lead to 14-0 with 13:32 to go in the second quarter. Kadeem Raburn would get picked off by Lin Atlas and returned 10 yards to the Rattlers' 48-yard line. Dete Justen would then miss a 55-yard field goal attempt. The Rattlers would punt, and the Rush appeared to drive for a score, but Lonnie Clements fumbled and Claud Fagan recovered for Arizona at their own 27-yard line. The Rattlers moved for a score, but Burt Hamrick missed a 45-yard field goal attempt. After trading punts, the Rush scored on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Kimbrell to Kendall Falcinelli on the final play of the half to go up 21-0.

Arizona opened the second half with a 5-play, 58-yard drive. Raburn scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 21-7 with 12:03 to go in the third quarter. Both teams traded punts, then Raburn's pass was picked off by Wallace Fetters at the Chicago 38-yard line.

Following the turnover, the Rush drove 36 yards on 6 plays. Justen kicked a 43-yard field goal to make it 24-7 with 13:45 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Rattlers punted the ball, then Chicago went on a 21-play, 92-yard drive. Keith Headrick finished the ten-minute march with a 4-yard touchdown run to make it 31-7 with 2:21 left in the fourth quarter. Arizona would move 69 yards on 8 plays. Raburn threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Melvin Jones and a successful 2-Point Conversion made it 31-15 with 37 seconds remaining. The Rattlers tried an onside kick, but the Rush recovered and ran out the clock.

Chicago (5-1) gained 490 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 205 yards on 35 carries. Clements led the team with 98 yards on 15 carries. He also caught 4 passes for 88 yards. Kimbrell was 18-of-37 passing for 316 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked three times, losing 31 yards. Falcinelli caught 4 passes for 103 yards and a TD. The Rush host the San Jose Sabercats next week.

Arizona (2-4) gained 280 yards of total offense. The Rattlers ran for 57 yards on 20 carries. Braxton Teal led the team with 15 yards on 4 carries. He also caught three passes for 49 yards. Raburn was 20-of-37 passing for 230 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked once for a 7-yard loss. Shelby Lerti (43 yards), Arvil Stinson (43 yards) and Jones (7 yards, TD) each caught three passes. The Rattlers host the Dallas Desperados next week.