Tulsa Talons Shred Chicago Rush, 64-45

The Tulsa Talons (3-5) earned a convincing 64-45 home victory over the Chicago Rush (5-3) on Saturday night on the arm and legs of their quarterback, Matt Bassuener.

Things looked great for the Rush after marching the ball down the field on its opening drive, punctuated by a two-yard touchdown run by Marcus Waugh. When Tulsa took possession after the Chicago score, Bassuener's very first pass of the game was picked off by Jason Simpson and returned for another Rush touchdown. Just like that, it was 14-0, Chicago. That's how it was supposed to be.

Tulsa apparently didn't get a copy of the script, though, because they reeled off 27 unanswered points during a 64-21 run that lasted into the fourth quarter.

Bassuener was Mr. Everything to the Talons, passing for 234 yards and three touchdowns, while leading the team in rushing with 33 yards and another four touchdowns on the ground. Troy McBroom pulled down nine receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rush, meanwhile, couldn't find the handle on the ball, losing two interceptions and four fumbles. Tulsa also blocked a Chris Gould field goal attempt. The league leader in turnover ratio coming into the game had a -3 ratio in this one.

Even flashes of brilliance for the Rush were thwarted by mistakes. For example, in the second quarter, Vic Hall intercepted Bassuener and returned it to the Tulsa two yard line. The Rush then immediately fumbled the ball away.

Less than a minute later, Hall intercepted Bassuener again. This time, Chicago was able to move the ball down the field and score, but they promptly turned around and gave up a nine-second touchdown drive to the Talons. The Rush responded by missing a field goal as the first half expired.

Turnovers and mistakes continued to plague the Rush in the second half. Eventually, Russ Michna was replaced at quarterback by Dominic Randolph, who led the visiting team on a touchdown drive, but then threw an interception of his own in the end zone on the next possession.

On the defensive side of the ball for Tulsa, J.C. Neal was a one-man wrecking crew, tallying eight tackles, two forced fumbles, a recovered fumble, an interception, and a pass break-up. Fred Shaw added five tackles, an interception, and a pass break-up, while Brandon Copeland was good for five tackles of his own.

The defensive star for Chicago was Hall, who had 11 tackles on top of his two interceptions and pass break-up. Quartez Vickerson added four tackles, an assist, a pass break-up, and two sacks. Kelvin Morris had four tackles, as well.

The offensive star for the Rush was, of course, Reggie Gray with his seven receptions, 142 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Charles Dillon caught five passes for 63 yards and a score, while Johnie Kirton added ten yards on the ground. Michna, however, lost ten yards rushing, so Chicago had a grand total of two rushing yards on the game--probably not something that head coach Bob McMillen appreciated.

With the loss, the Rush drops into second place in the Central Division on the heels of the Dallas Vigilantes (6-2) winning their fourth straight game and continuing the misery of the Iowa Barnstormers (2-6), 71-57. Tulsa jumps into third place in the division.

Chicago has a lot of work to do this week. Up next for the Rush is another road trip to take on the Arizona Rattlers (7-1), who just dismantled the San Jose SaberCats. Chicago's game in Arizona is set for Saturday, May 14, at 9:00 p.m. Central Time.

Tulsa travels to the bayou to take on the New Orleans VooDoo on Friday night, May 13, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time, to be featured on the NFL Network.

Friday the 13th against the VooDoo...... Is anyone in Tulsa superstitious?

This article also appears on Arena Pigskin.