CHICAGO TOPS KANSAS CITY COMMAND, 69-40

The Chicago Rush scored 35 straight points in the first half and went on to a 69-40 home victory over the Kansas City Command in front of 5,854 at Allstate Arena Saturday night.  New Command quarterback Matt Gutierrez, making his first start after coming to Kansas City in a trade with Arizona this week, finished 23 of 39 for 258 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.  Rush quarterback Russ Michna threw for 311 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Command scored first when Gutierrez hit Syvelle Newton for a seven-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead.  The Rush then exploded for five straight scores as Michna hit Jared Perry for three touchdowns, Reggie Gray for one and former Command fullback JJ Payne for another.  The longest drive was four plays as the Rush were scoring quickly and often.  The Command, meanwhile, came up empty on four straight possessions with two missed field goals and two interceptions.   

Kansas City finally stopped the run with a 5-play drive capped by Gutierrez to Bradly Chavez, who was playing in his first game of 2012.  Chicago scored last, going 40 yards in six plays to take a 42-13 halftime lead.

The Rush got the ball to start the second half and Michna to Perry for the fourth time gave Chicago their biggest lead of the game at 49-13.

The Command answered with Gutierrez finding Chavez once again from 11 yards out.  After Michna hit Gray for a touchdown and the Command turned it over on downs, KC got a big defensive play when JC Neal scooped up a JJ Payne fumble and returned it 16 yards for a score.

Luke Drone replaced Michna at quarterback to start the fourth quarter and promptly hit Perry for a 27-yard touchdown.  With the game out of reach, the Command were looking to build some offensive rhythm in the final period and KC did score touchdowns on the team’s last two possessions, both on drives over 40 yards.

Perry, who played college football at Missouri, was named National Guard MVP with 10 catches for 175 yards and five touchdowns, all career-highs for the AFL rookie.  Michna was Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game.

Chavez was named AFL Playmaker of the Game, leading the Command with nine catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns.

The Command have a bye next weekend before playing at San Jose at 9pm CDT on Saturday, April 21.  The game will air live on Sports Radio 810 WHB and tape delayed on KSMO 62.  The SaberCats are 3-1 after a win Friday over San Antonio and play at Philadelphia next Sunday.

The Command’s next home game will be Saturday, May 5 at 7pm against the San Antonio Talons at Sprint Center.