The Rush couldn’t dig out a hole of their own making Friday night.
Costly fumbles led directly to three Kansas City scores as the visiting Command claimed a 58-51 victory at Allstate Arena.
“Last week we got lucky and overcame (mistakes), this week we weren’t,” Rush defensive back Jason Simpson said. “We had two special team turnovers and that never should happen — that’s 14 points right there. That killed us.
“We had five turnovers on offense and the defense didn’t shut them down.”
Kansas City (2-4) broke a 51-51 tie with 2 minutes, 8 seconds left as former Rush quarterback JJ Raterink combined with wide receiver Steven Savoy on a 32-yard touchdown play.
The Rush (4-2) still had a chance to tie or win in the final seconds. They drove to the Kansas City 5, but the Command defense stiffened as quarterback Russ Michna had two incompletions.
Rush coach Bob McMillen said some personnel shakeups are coming as a result.
“There are some guys making consistent mistakes,” he said. “I have no problem making changes, our coaching staff has no problem making changes and there will be some next week.”
Kansas City scored three times in the final 45 seconds of the opening half to claim a 38-30 halftime edge.
Raterink scored on a 25-yard keeper and Savoy added a one-yard run after the Rush fumbled a kickoff return deep in their own territory.
Another Rush fumble near midfield with 12 seconds left gave the Command one more shot and kicker Brian Umstead hit a 37-yard field goal as time expired.
Raterink then opened the second half with a 20-yard pass play with Savoy to open a 44-30 lead.
The Rush closed the gap to 44-37 on Reggie Gray’s 55-yard kickoff return, but failed to take advantage of two third quarter interceptions.
They finally turned a turnover into a touchdown after nose tackle Quartez Vickerson scooped up a loose ball late in the period.
On the subsequent drive, Michna lobbed a screen pass to fullback Johnie Kirton, who ran through traffic for a 20-yard touchdown. Chris Gould’s extra point forced a 44-44 deadlock with 12:31 left in regulation.
