CHICAGO – John Avery continued his NFL audition by rushing for 170 yards and two touchdowns as the Chicago Enforcers posted their first shutout, a 13-0 victory over the Birmingham Bolts.
Avery, a former NFL first-round pick, has been among the top players in the fledgling minor league. He carried 20 times, including touchdown runs of 73 yards in the first quarter and nine in the final period.
Avery’s total surpassed his own league record of 157 yards against Orlando on February 3.
Corey Ivy had a pair of interceptions for Chicago (3-5), which dealt Birmingham (2-6) its fifth straight loss. Kerry Cooks and Dorian Brew also had pickoffs for the Enforcers, who allowed 335 total yards but kept the Bolts off the scoreboard.
Chicago also knocked out Birmingham quarterback Jay Barker, who completed 13-of-17 passes for 169 yards before being drilled by defensive back Ray Austin and leaving with a concussion midway through the second quarter.
Graham Leigh replaced Barker and was 9-of-27 for 102 yards and three interceptions.
On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Avery raced for a TD to give the Enforcers a 6-0 lead.
The middle two periods were scoreless until Chicago put together a 56-yard drive in seven plays, capped by Avery’s second score. This time, LeShon Johnson ran for the extra point and a 13-0 lead.
Kevin McDougal was 11-of-20 for 143 yards for Chicago. Stepfret Williams caught nine passes for 152 yards for Birmingham.
SUMMARY
Birmingham 0 Chicago 13 – Final
1 2 3 4 Total
Birmingham 0 0 0 0 0
Chicago 6 0 0 7 13
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
Chi – Td, John Avery 73 yd run (Pat Failed), 0:36. Drive: 1 Play, 73 Yards In 0:36.Chicago 6-0
Second Quarter
None
Third Quarter
None
Fourth Quarter
Chi – Td, John Avery 9 yd run (Leshon Johnson run For Converison), 0:58. Drive: 7 Plays, 56 Yards In 3:31. Key Plays: Avery 29-Yard run To Birmingham 27; 11-Yard Personal Foul On Bolts’ J Willis To Birmingham 11; Avery 5 Carries 45 Yards. Chicago 13-0Att: 10,593
BOXSCORE
Team Statistics BIR CHI
FIRST DOWNS 17 12
Rushing 4 5
Passing 12 5
Penalty 1 2
3RD-DOWN EFFICIENCY 5-13 2-11
4TH-DOWN EFFICIENCY 1-2 0-1
TOTAL NET YARDS 335 310
Total plays 66 46
Average gain 5.1 6.7
NET YARDS RUSHING 67 181
Rushes 21 24
Average per rush 3.2 7.5
NET YARDS PASSING 268 129
Interceptions-returns 0-0 4-21
PENALTIES-YARDS 7-58 6-50
FUMBLES-LOST 2-1 3-2
TIME OF POSSESSION 33:57 26:03
Player Statistics
Missed field goals :
Birmingham (Brad Palazzo 23, 37); Chicago (Andy Crosland 26, 22).
Birmingham rushing :
James Bostic 18-44, Graham Leigh 2-15, Jay Barker 1-8.
Chicago rushing :
John Avery 20-170, Leshon Johnson 4-11.
Birmingham passing :
Jay Barker 13-17 for 169 yards, 1 INT, 0 TD, Graham Leigh 9-27 for 102 yards, 3 INT, 0 TD.
Chicago passing :
Kevin Mcdougal 11-20 for 143 yards, 0 INT, 0 TD.
Birmingham receiving :
Stepfret Williams 9-152, Quincy Jackson 6-47, Kaipo Mcguire 3-18, Joe Douglass 2-35, Ed Smith 2-19.
Chicago receiving :
Junior Lord 3-63, Luke Leverson 3-32, Aaron Bailey 2-34, Willie Tate 1-7, John Avery 1-5, Leshon Johnson 1-2.
Birmingham tackles-assists-sacks (unofficial) :
Chris Shelling 7-1-0, Duane Butler 5-3-0, James Willis 4-2-0, Calvin Jackson 3-2-0, Dion Foxx 2-2-0, Cedric Pittman 3-0-1, Eric Sloan 2-1-0, Fred Perry 2-0-1, Charles Preston 1-1-0, Jarett Loggins 1-1-0, Kyle Schroeder 0-2-0, Malcolm Hamilton 0-2-0, James Bostic 1-0-0, Chase Raynock 1-0-0, Kaipo Mcguire 1-0-0, David Knott 1-0-0, Kevin Drake 0-1-0.
Chicago tackles-assists-sacks (unofficial) :
Ray Austin 8-2-0, Quincy Coleman 7-0-0, Corey Ivy 5-1-0, Jamie Baisley 3-3-0, Dorian Brew 3-1-0, Larry Fitzpatrick 2-2-0, Aaron Humphrey 2-2-0, Jason Bray 3-0-0, Kerry Cooks 2-1-0, Chike Egbuniwe 2-1-0, Matt Finkes 2-0-1, Halakilangi Muagututia 1-1-0, John Fisher 1-0-0, Hubert Thompson 1-0-0, Paul Janus 1-0-0, Charles Wiley 0-1-0, Willie Tate 0-1-0, Leshon Johnson 0-1-0, Carlos Timmons 0-1-0.
Interceptions :
Chicago (Corey Ivy 2 for 21 yards, Dorian Brew 1 for 0 yards, Kerry Cooks 1 for 0 yards).
Fumbles lost :
Birmingham (James Bostic); Chicago (John Avery 2).
Officials :
Referee-Dennis Lipski, Umpire-Frank Kosman, Head linesman-Jerry Bergman, Line judge-John Mcgrath, Back judge-Andrew Panucci, Side judge-Gene Steratore, Field judge-Al Delvento.
