DENVER-The Colorado Crush prevailed over the Chicago Rush in a 34-24 victory in Week 12 of the AFL season.
Colorado started the game with possession, and drove 29 yards in 5 plays. Earl Ginger kicked a 47-yard field goal to give the Crush a 3-0 lead with 11:36 left in the first quarter. Keith Headrick returned the ensuing kickoff 60 yards to the Colorado 35-yard line. But the Rush were turned away when Eric Adcock picked off Hershel Kimbrell at the 6-yard line. The teams traded punts, then Colorado's scoring threat was extinguished when Howton Thom fumbled and Reb Avis recovered for Chicago at their own 34-yard line. Kimbrell finished off a 6-play, 66-yard drive throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Kale Colby giving the Rush a 7-3 lead on the final play of the first quarter.
JC Holman fielded the ensuing kickoff for the Crush, and returned it 40 yards before fumbling. Wyatt Coyle recovered for the Rush at the Colorado 45-yard line. Chicago looked to add to their lead, but Dete Justen missed a 53-yard field goal attempt. Thom would then end a 6-play, 57-yard drive by connecting with Peter Links for a 25-yard touchdown pass to take a 10-7 lead with 10:55 remaining in the second quarter. The Rush would respond with an 8-play, 78-yard drive. Kimbrell fired a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kendall Falcinelli giving Chicago a 14-10 lead with 6:05 remaining in the half. The teams would trade punts, then a fumbled snap by Thom was recovered by Wallace Fetters at the Rush 36-yard line. But Chicago was forced to punt, and Colorado's final possession of the half ended with Ginger missing a 24-yard field goal attempt just before halftime.
The teams traded punts to open the second half, each pinning the other deep in their own territory. Kimbrell was again picked off by Adcock at the Chicago 16-yard line. Four plays later, Thom would throw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Joe Foss helping Colorado retake the lead at 17-14 with 6:52 to go in the third quarter. Kimbrell was again picked off as Stan Dinn returned the ball 23 yards to the Rush 23-yard line. Four plays later, Aaron Yarnell scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 24-14 with 3:40 left in the third.
Chicago would recover from the unintended generosity driving 37 yards on 12 plays. Justen connected on a 53-yard field goal at the start of the fourth quarter to make it 24-17 with 14:52 to go. Again, the teams traded punts, then MacArthur Fagan strip-sacked Thom and Harlan Fears recovered for the Rush at the Crush 16-yard line. Headrick scored on a 2-yard touchdown run five plays later to tie the game at 24 with 8:23 to go in the fourth. But Colorado would answer with a 15-play, 73-yard drive. Thom ended the march with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Howell, giving the Crush a 31-24 lead with 1:49 to go in the fourth quarter. Dinn would pick off Kimbrell again, and return it 44 yards to the Chicago 28-yard line. Ginger ended a 4-play, 22-yard drive with a 23-yard field goal with 6 seconds to go for a 34-24 lead.
Colorado (7-5) gained 371 yards of total offense. The Crush ran for 81 yards on 28 carries. Valentine Millstone led the team with 41 yards on 10 carries. Thom was 29-of-41 passing for 311 yards and 3 TD. He was sacked twice, losing 21 yards. Howell led the receivers with 8 catches for 75 yards and a TD. Next week, the Crush visit the San Jose Sabercats.
Chicago (7-5) gained 265 yards of total offense. The Rush ran for 54 yards on 22 carries. Finley Gentry led the team with 49 yards on 11 carries. Kimbrell was 19-of-37 passing for 218 yards, 2 TD and 4 INT. He was sacked once for a 7-yard loss. Colby was the leading receiver with 5 catches for 46 yards and a TD. The Rush visit the Dallas Desperados next week.
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