FYI Sports Fans | Brigade Upset Rush in Week 1

Well...I'm sure no one foresaw how this game would play out. The AFL champions, Chicago Rush, playing against a new and struggling team, Kansas City Brigade. Easy win for Chicago, right? Wrong. Though the Rush scored first and had a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter this game was taken by Kansas City early.

Once Kansas City took their second lead of the game, 14-13, they were able to hang onto it and claim a win. The turning point came on a play that resulted in Matt D'Orazio being sacked in the endzone and increasing Kansas City's lead to 3. After Kansas City got the ball back they were able to strike again making it a two possession game.

On Chicago's next drive, the same thing nearly happened. D'Orazio's knee and hand were both on the ground in the endzone before the ball had been released but the referees didn't call that play a safety. The crowd at Kemper Arena wasn't happy about that as "boo"ing could be heard from the stands. That bad call, followed by a string of Brigade penalties allowed Chicago back into the game but a crucial extra point was missed and the score was 23-19 KC.

Chicago made a risky call and kicked an onside kick. They didn't recover it due to excellent awareness displayed by the Brigade. The Rush should consider themselves lucky considering KC was unable to find the endzone and a short fieldgoal was missed in the final seconds prior to halftime. But Kansas City would get another chance after halftime.

Kansas City quickly scored to start off the half and made it a ten point game again along with D'Orazio's first pass of the second half was intercepted but Kansas City couldn't capitalize. Chicago scored to come closer and made it only a 3 point defecit. However, Kansas City started the fourth quarter with a touchdown and a 41-26 lead.

Things got interesting when an error by the holder allowed for Chicago to run back the PAT for 2 points making it a 41-28 game. Then Chicago scored again and made it more of a game with KC's lead down to just 6.

The Kansas City offense was able to step up and wrap the game up and Kansas City came away with a 54-41 win.