The mystery that is the Colorado Crush continued Monday night at the Pepsi Center, with an episode that kept the intrigue going.
After being embarrassed 51-14 two weeks ago by the Utah Blaze, the Crush faced its archrival, the Chicago Rush, with redemption in mind. But it was the Rush that played with an attitude on the way to a 66-57 victory and a continued successful run at the Central Division title – and a bye in the first round of the upcoming Arena Football League playoffs.
Rush quarterback Matt D’Orazio turned tormentor with five touchdown passes, but his long run for a touchdown before halftime started the Crush on the way to a third straight loss and no momentum as the playoffs near.
On the way to an 11th victory, the Rush scored touchdowns on a kickoff return, D’Orazio’s run and a 38-yard run by DeJuan Alfonzo, who appeared trapped on a third down. Alfonzo’s run kept the Rush’s momentum going early in the third period and produced a 42-24 lead.
“I don’t think my run got them down,” D’Orazio said. “It’s a long game. They are a championship team. They were going to fight all the way to the end.”
Chicago defensive end John Moyer said the Crush’s strategy early in the game was designed to get points on the board. The Crush took a 3-0 lead instead of going for a possible first down with the game still scoreless.
“They didn’t want to get behind against our defense,” Moyer said. “It didn’t send a message that they couldn’t beat us. We’re a good team, and we know we are.”
But the Crush couldn’t gain any separation in the scoring race that followed.
Crush coach Mike Dailey pointed to mistakes.
“It was a decision we made,” Dailey said. “There still was a long way to go, and we fought back pretty well in the second half.”
Crush quarterback John Dutton also pointed to mistakes, but added, “I think we’ll be seeing these guys again in a few weeks.”
Dutton completed 26-of-43 passes for 246 yards and six TDs but had two interceptions.
Four of his six TD passes went to Damian Harrell, whose league-record string of games with a touchdown catch ended at 78 against Utah.
The Crush managed a rally over the last 20 minutes and pulled within seven points at 52-45 with 8:23 left on Harrell’s third score, but each time D’Orazio answered.
The Crush missed a golden opportunity to send a message to the defending ArenaBowl champions early in the game.
After Chicago coach Mike Hohensee tried a surprise to open the game with an onside kick that failed, the Crush gained 5 yards on three plays to a fourth-and-5 at the 11-yard line.
Dailey settled for a field goal and a 3-0 lead that lasted until Chicago’s Jonathan Ordway returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards for a score.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
