The Rush used a dominant all-around performance to reach 4-0 for only the second time in team history, knocking off the Utah Blaze 63-40 in front of 7,459 fans Friday night at Allstate Arena.The Rush passing game was on full display as quarterback Russ Michna went 22 for 31 putting up a season-high 330 passing yards, and six passing touchdowns to go along with his first rushing touchdown of the season.For the second straight week, Michna’s favorite target proved to be Nichiren Flowers, who caught a nine passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns.On the other side of the ball, the Rush defense held the Blaze to a Rush opponent season low 40 points. And although the defense only forced one turnover – Nygel Rogers’ league-leading fifth interception of the season – the Rush stopped the Blaze offense on three fourth down attempts.Utah quarterback quarterback Brett Elliot (31-44, 316 yards, five touchdowns, one interception) led the blaze on a six-play drive to open the game, ultimately connecting with Aaron Boone on a four-yard touchdown to give Utah a 7-0 lead. That was the only lead the Blaze would take all game.The Rush got the ball back at its 16-yard line after a Blaze penalty, and on its very first play from scrimmage Michna connected with Samie Parker for a 34-yard touchdown. The score was the third time in as many games that the Rush has gotten into the end zone on its first offensive play from scrimmage.The next five minutes belonged to Clifton Smith. On the ensuing Blaze possession, Smith recorded his league-leading third sack on a third down and 10 at the Rush 19. But he wasn’t done yet. On fourth down, Smith blocked a Utah field goal attempt, giving the Rush the ball back at their own 7-yard line. After driving to the Utah 1-yard line, Smith rumbled his way into the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season and a 14-7 Rush lead.Utah began the second quarter with the ball, but just like it has the entire year, the Rush defense stepped up, stopping the Blaze on fourth down at the Rush 7. Three plays later, Michna connected with Flowers on a 29-yard touchdown that put the Rush up two scores.Even with a 21-7 cushion, the Rush defense didn’t let up, and on the next Blaze possession Rogers stepped in front of an Elliot pass for his league leading fifth interception of the season.The teams then traded scores in the final minutes of the first half, giving the Rush a 28-14 lead at the break.The Rush received the ball to start the second half and seamlessly drove down the field before Michna hooked up with Alan Turner, this time for a 3-yard score that put the Rush up 35-14.Utah responded with a quick score that made it 35-20, but with just under 6 minutes to go in the third quarter Michna hooked up Flowers for the second time of the game, making it 42-20. The Rush never looked back and the Blaze never got within 18 points the rest of the game.

NOTES—Chris Martin led the Rush with 12 total tackles on the game…. Kicker Chris Gould made all nine of his PAT attempts, extending his streak of consecutive PATs to 29 – just three shy of Dan Frantz team record. Rush starting WR Kenny Higgins and DL Joe Peters both missed the game with injuries.