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Rush surge too much to bear for Crush

Colorado falters as ex-receiver Harrell returns

By Jim Benton, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 25, 2008 at 11:44 p.m.

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There are no exhibition games in the Arena Football League but Friday night's game between the Colorado Crush and Chicago Rush sure looked like one.

Using a makeshift lineup, the Crush gave up 28 unanswered points at the end of the first half and the start of the third quarter to ultimatley drop a 65-52 decision to the Rush before 11,114 at the Pepsi Center.

"That broke it open," Crush quarterback John Dutton said of the Rush surge. "We were forced to play catch-up. We had too many turnovers and got into fourth down way too many times. That's on me."

It was the second consecutive loss for the Crush, which fell to 3-5 while Central Division rival Chicago improved to 7-2.

Chad Owens started in place of leading Crush receiver Ben Nelson, who was involved in only one offensive play in the game.

He was nursing an undisclosed injury and didn't believe he could be effective as a receiver, although he did play on special teams.

Owens, a rookie from Hawaii, had 12 catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns.

Dutton threw seven touchdown passes but had two costly interceptions as the revamped Crush never seemed to show any offensive spark until it was too late.

Offensive lineman Chris Watton traded his usual jersey number 67 for 33 and played fullback because starter Robert Thomas was sidelined with a neck injury.

And defensive back Delvin Hughley also was nursing an injury and played sparingly early in the game.

His replacement - Dion Byrum, who was signed off the Orlando Predators practice roster earlier in the week - led the Crush in the first half with four tackles.

Byrum finished with five tackles, tying Rashad Floyd and Antonio Malone for the most on the team.

The game marked the first time Damian Harrell has played in Denver since the former Crush all-star receiver signed with the Rush in November.

Harrell caught eight passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns and moved into second place all-time in the AFL with 955 receptions.

"We got the win, man, but it was emotional," Harrell said. "I was actually holding back a few tears. I know those guys in the other locker room and they can compete, but the ball just isn't bouncing their way right now."

Russ Michna threw six touchdown passes for the Rush.

Michna, 4-0 as starter, completed 24 of 35 passes for 280 yards to help the Rush sweep the season series with the Crush.

"This was a big win for us," Rush coach Mike Hohensee said.

"I thought Russ played great again at quarterback and the defense made some big stops when we needed them."

Rush 65, Crush 52

Chicago7 21 17 20 - 65

Colorado7 14 6 31 - 58

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing - Chicago, Morgan 1-8, Alexander 3-6, Moyer 1-1, Michna 2-3; Colorado, Owens 1-4.

Passing - Chicago, Michna 25-36-1-280; Colorado, Dutton 27-46-2-289.

Receiving - Chicago, Harrell 8-72, Morgan 4-55, LaTendresse 6-72, Alexander 4-43, Boss 2-38; Colorado, Owens 12-115, Pyatt 6-81, Quinnie 8-77, Watton 1-16.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.