Crush Edges Rush in Overtime

Andy McCullough caught a 22-yard touchdown pass 9:44 into overtime Sunday to send the Colorado Crush to the ArenaBowl with a 49-43 victory over the Chicago Rush in the American Conference championship game.

Colorado’s first overtime possession ended with Chicago’s Todd Howard intercepting John Dutton’s badly underthrown pass in the end zone.

The Crush defense, which had given up single-season records in passing yards (4,661) and total yards (5,046), then came up big as it knocked down two passes. Chicago also had a holding penalty that wiped out an apparent 15-yard scoring reception by Bob McMillen.

“They came up big when it mattered most,” Dutton said. “They backed me up after I’d thrown an interception.”

Chicago settled for a 35-yard field-goal attempt by Keith Gispert, but his kick went wide right.

“It should have been our game,” Chicago Coach Mike Hohensee said. “We get the stop, have the holding call and miss the field goal.”

Dutton came right back, completing three of four passes to get the Crush to the Chicago 22. He capped the drive with the pass to McCullough, who made a leaping catch to end the game.

“I wasn’t going to let that pass get away from me,” McCullough said.

Dutton completed 28 of 43 passes for 299 yards and five touchdowns.