Trailing 46-41 with one minute and no timeouts remaining, the Rush’s Etu Molden returned an Indiana onside kick 14 yards for a touchdown, helping secure a wild, come-from-behind 49-46 win over the Indiana Firebirds before 12,189 fans at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The win keeps the Rush (4-0) atop the Central Division while Indiana (0-4) continues to search for its first victory under new head coach–and former NFL quarterback–Steve DeBerg.
“Even though we didn’t play as well as we wanted to, when it mattered most we came up big,” Rush coach Mike Hohensee said.
The Rush’s top-ranked defense, which limited the Firebirds to just 19 second-half points, finally figured out Indiana’s new starting quarterback, former Florida State star Adrian McPherson. In his first career start, McPherson accounted for six TDs.
Rush QB Raymond Philyaw completed 16 of 23 passes for 161 yards and four touchdowns, three to Molden. Philyaw has thrown 14 TDs and no interceptions this season.
