In a league built on the passing game, Grand Rapids Rampage QB Michael Bishop is making a name for himself as a running quarterback. After sitting out the season opener, he has run the ball 27 times for 217 yards in four games. In week 2, Bishop became the first player in the 19 year history of the Arena Football League to rush for 100 yards in a game. If he continues to run wild at this rate, Bishop is on track to shatter the AFL season rushing record of 429 yards set in 1991 by another Heisman Trophy finalist, Major Harris.

Keeping Bishop behind the line of scrimmage will be at the top of Rush head coach Mike Hohensee’s agenda when the Rush take on the Rampage in Grand Rapids on Sunday. "Bishop is the best running back in the league," Hohensee said. "He just happens to take the snaps from center. He is very exciting and to win the football game we need to contain him."

Bishop’s achievements on the ground have not been enough to turn the Rampage, who went 1-15 in 2004, into winners. The Rampage made a splash in the free agent market in the off-season, luring top offensive specialist Chris Jackson away from Los Angeles. Since Bishop became the starter, he and Jackson have connected for touchdowns at least twice per game. But Bishop has also seen a lot of passes fall to the turf, as he sports one of the lowest completion rates in the league at 52.7 percent.

While Grand Rapids has the offensive tools to put points on the board, the team finds itself at 1-4 on the season largely because defensive stops have been few and far between. Ranking dead last in the league, the Rampage are averaging a whopping 66 points allowed per game. They have tallied just one interception in five games, and opposing quarterbacks are averaging a touchdown on one of every five passing attempts, also league worsts.

The anemic Rampage defense could be just what the doctor ordered as the 3-3 Rush continue to nurse themselves back to health and try to break above the .500 mark. The Rush defeated Nashville 45-38 last week without the services of starters QB Raymond Philyaw and OS Henry Douglas, both of whom are listed as "probable" for Sunday’s game. Hohensee said Philyaw’s status would be a "game-time decision." If Philyaw’s sprained knee needs another week off, veteran backup QB Todd Hammel will get the call again, having thrown for 223 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions versus Nashville. Rookie OS C.J. Johnson emerged from the practice squad last week to grab seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns, and would start again if Douglas is not ready to return from his groin injury.

The Rush hold a 5-4 lifetime edge over the Rampage, winning the three most recent contests. The Rampage’s February 27 win over Columbus was the club’s first home victory since week 11 of the 2003 season. Expect the crowd in Grand Rapids to feature a large Chicago contingent. The Rampage have drawn less than 6,700 fans for their last two home games. NBC will televise the game nationally at 11 a.m. CST.