Kats Defeat Rival Rush Behind Running Attack, Solid Defense
May 19, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Nashville Kats News Release
The Nashville Kats defeated the Chicago Rush 44-27 in front of 16,142 Saturday night at the Allstate Arena. The attendance was the largest crowd Nashville has played in front of in 2007. Kats FB Dan Alexander continued his march into the AFL record books when he broke the single-season record for rushes in a season with 117, a season-high 71 yards rushing with two touchdowns (Offensive Player of the Game). The record was previously held by Bernard Hall of the St. Louis Stampede who set the record in 1996. Alexander was almost a no-show as his wife gave birth to the couple's first child, baby boy born Braxton Alexander on Friday. Kats WR Kenny Higgins got in on the record-setting action as he broke former Kat Cory Fleming's record for most receiving yards in rookie season with 1,137. Fleming set the record in 1997 with 1,104 receiving yards. Kats DB Ahmad Hawkins was named Defensive Player of the game after he tied the team record for interceptions in season with 11.
Chicago's DeJuan Alfonzo was named Ironman of the Game for his stellar his two rushing touchdowns and 8.5 total tackles. Fortunately for the Kats, Chicago's WR Bobby Sippio was not in action due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 11. Nashville's win pushed the team 2-6 all-time record vs. Chicago and evened their 2007 record at 1-1.
Intense was the mood of the division match-up with both teams looking for wins after suffering losses in Week 11. Unfortunately for the Kats, Chicago's WR/DB Russell Shaw took the ensuing kickoff 41 yards to set up the first score of the game when WR DeJuan Alfonzo scored on a one-yard run off the left side. After trading numerous possessions with solid defense by both clubs, Alexander got the Kats in the endzone on an electrifying 25-yard toss off the right side that tied the score at seven at the end of the first quarter. The 25-yd run was Alexander's longest of the season.
The second quarter started fast as Chicago got on the board first when Chicago QB Matt D'Orazio found a wide-open WR Rob Mager in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown. On the Kats' ensuing drive, the team started on the Nashville 2-yard line and on the fifth play of the drive, Smoker was intercepted by Alfonzo which he returned for a touchdown. Fortunately for the Kats, the touchdown was called back as Alfonzo was ruled out of the box. On the ensuing play, Smoker hooked up with rookie sensation WR Kenny Higgins on a spectacular, in the air, arms-extended, between two-defender catch for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the score at 14 at the top of the second quarter. Down 21-14 just before the end of the first half, Nashville's game-tying drive was halted after a Smoker fumble. Luckily for the Kats, on the ensuing play, veteran leader, DL James Baron continued his consistent play by sacking D'Orazio in the endzone for a safety, leaving the score 21-16 at halftime.
Newly acquired WR Rocco Forgione, playing in his first career game, his fresh legs gave the Kats a boost and their first lead of the game when Smoker found him open in the endzone for 16 yards to make the score 23-21. Forgione finished with eight receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown. Alfonzo's second rushing touchdown put the Rush back ahead but not by much as Baron blocked his third kick of the season on the PAT to make the score 27-23 Rush towards the end of the third quarter. A four-yard run by versatile playmaker Ahmad Hawkins gave the Kats the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter 30-27.
At the top of the fourth quarter, Hawkins showed his prowess on both sides of the ball by halting Chicago's go-ahead drive by intercepting his AFL-leading 11th interception of the season. Nashville capitalized when rookie FB/LB Terrell Browden, who made an impact on both sides of the ball, scored his first career touchdown on a three-yard plunge up the middle, giving Nashville its largest lead of the game 37-27. Chicago's late run put the Kats on their heels but they did not bend, holding the Rush scoreless in the fourth quarter, leaving the final score 44-27 Nashville.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 19, 2007
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