the call to finish the year 7–9, blowing out the Utah Blaze 84–48 and defeating the Grand Rapids Rampage 70–47. It was the Rush's first and only losing season in franchise history, but produced the team's best playoff run. The Rush had to go on the road the entire time. Chicago opened the post-season on the road against the Nashville Kats. As divisional rivals, the teams met twice in the regular season, and spit the games. Both teams won at home, in overtime, with both games coming down to a made or missed two-point conversation. The Rush defense came up big and Chicago won, 55–47. Up next was the Colorado Crush, the defending ArenaBowl champions who had beaten the Rush twice in the regular season. But Chicago scored on an interception return for a touchdown by Dennison Robinson, Unertl recovered a ball off the net after a kickoff and DeJuan Alfonzo returned a fumble for a touchdown. The Rush led 13–0 after the first quarter, 33–14 at halftime and held on 63–46. The San Jose SaberCats stood between the Rush and its first trip to the ArenaBowl. San Jose beat Chicago in the conference championship in 2004. The Rush fell behind 21–10 in the second quarter, but fought back to take a 32–28 lead. The teams exchanged scores until the Rush got up by two possessions 52–42 and held on to a 59–56 win to advance to its first ArenaBowl in franchise history. Orlando Predators The Predators had a much more orthodox run to the ArenaBowl. Orlando finished the season 10–6, won the Southern Division and had the No. 2 seed in the National Conference, earning a bye during the Wild Card Playoffs. After losing in Week 1 to the Georgia Force, Orlando won its next three games. A two-game losing streak had the team at 4–4, but the Predators won their next five games to move to 9–5. The team ended the regular season losing two of three. Orlando swept the rival Tampa Bay Storm in two games. The Predators were coached by Jay Gruden, brother of Jon Gruden. Joe Hamilton quarterbacked the team. In the Divisional Playoffs, Orlando knocked off the Philadelphia Soul in a defensive battle, 31–27. The Soul led for the game's entire first 57 minutes before Orland got the game's final score. In the National Conference Championship, defense also was the key story for Orlando.