Cobras Eke Out 46-43 Win Over Soul
May 15, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Carolina Cobras News Release
PHILADELPHIA â Rob Bironas connected on a 26-yard field goal with just two seconds remaining in the contest to give the Carolina Cobras a thrilling 46-43 victory over the Soul Saturday night at the Wachovia Spectrum. Bironas' kick completed a string of 15 consecutive points for Carolina, who trailed 43-31 with just over six minutes remaining in the contest. The winning field goal allowed Bironas to redeem hiself for two missed PAT attempts over the game's final minutes.
Carolina's furious comeback began with a 3-yard touchdown catch by WR/DB Lenzie Jackson to cut the Philadelphia lead to 43-37 with just over five minutes remaining in the game. The Cobras then forced Soul K Ken Hinsley into an errant 44-yard field goal attempt, which OS Bernard Holmes returned 33 yards to midfield. Two plays later, QB Rickey Foggie found WR/LB Todd Doxzon for a 19-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 43-all. However, Bironas missed his second PAT attempt of the night and the contest remained deadlocked. On the Soul's ensuing drive, QB Todd Hammel was intercepted by WR/LB D.J. Humphries to set the stage for the winning kick.
Carolina (5-9) was paced by the throwing arm of Foggie, who completed 28-of-41 passes for 296 yards and five touchdowns on the night. Holmes pulled in eight passes for a team-high 97 yards and a score, while Humphries led the Cobras with nine catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. Bironas made two field goals in the game, setting a Carolina single-season record with 16 on the season.
Philadelphia (5-9) was led by Hammel, who completed 12-of-20 passes for 161 yards and four touchdowns. All of his scoring passes were reeled in by WR/LB Sean Scott, who led all Soul receivers with six catches for 96 yards.
Philadelphia stormed out to an early 16-point advantage and withstood a second quarter flurry by the Cobras to hold a 30-21 halftime lead. The Soul were assisted by a number of Carolina miscues in a first half that included three onsides kicks, two missed field goals and a pair of rather unique touchdowns. Foggie directed the Cobras to three scoring drives in the first stanza, completing 14-of-18 passes for 155 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Cobras got off to a rocky start in the first quarter as the Soul capitalized on a handful of miscues to take a 9-0 advantage. Philadelphia recovered a failed Carolina onsides kick attempt on the opening kickoff, but the Cobras defense was able to hold the home squad to a 21-yard field goal by Ken Hinsley. The Soul defense was able to hold Carolina to a field goal attempt as well, however, Bironas pulled his 27-yard attempt wide left just minutes later.
The Soul extended its lead to 9-0 on the ensuing drive as Hammel found Scott for a 25-yard touchdown reception on his first pass of the night. Hammel came on to replace QB Nick Browder, who had completed only 1-of-4 pass attempts, and had an interception nullified by defensive pass interference on the previous play. Hinsley missed the PAT attempt.
Carolina's offensive futility continued into the second quarter as the Soul defense held the Cobras on three consecutive plays inside the five-yard line. Philadelphia quickly capitalized as Hammel found Scott for an 11-yard score just moments later. Carolina finally notched its first points of the game when Foggie found Holmes in the corner of the end zone five minutes into the quarter after the Soul's onsides kick attempt went out of bounds to give the Cobras the ball at the 15-yard line.
The Cobras then recovered the third onsides kick attempt of the evening and methodically marched down the field on a drive that was capped off with Foggie's second scoring pass of the frame. On the play, Humphries was able to pull in a sidearm pitch from the quarterback lying flat on his back to cut the Soul's lead to 16-14.
Philadelphia responded once again behind the arm of Hammel, who found Scott for a five-yard touchdown connection, to give the Soul a 23-14 lead. After Carolina's WR/DB Jarrick Hillery scampered in for a 1-yard touchdown run late in the half to cut the lead to 23-21, the Soul returned a squib kick to the 16-yard line to setup a 36-yard field goal attempt with two seconds on the clock. Hinsley missed just left of the crossbar, however, Philadelphia lineman Eric Gohlstin fell on the live ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Cobras were able to chip away at the Philadelphia advantage in the third quarter as the home team's advantage stood at 37-31 heading into the final frame. Bironas posted the first points of the frame with a 22-yard field goal, his 15th successful attempt of the season. After the Soul's FB/LB Marlion Jackson rumbled in from two-yards out to extend the lead to 37-24 late in the frame, Carolina's WR/DB Lenzie Jackson pulled in a 21-yard scoring reception on the final play of the third quarter to cut the lead to 37-31 heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
The Cobras return to the Queen City for the team's 2004 home finale against the Grand Rapids Rampage on May 22. This season's final home contest will be highlighted by the annual Fan Appreciation Day in which all fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win hundreds of gifts and prize packages including vacation getaways, golf outings, spa treatments and much, much more.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 15, 2004
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- Arizona Rattlers Dominate Detroit Fury 57-33 - Detroit Fury
- Cobras Eke Out 46-43 Win Over Soul - Carolina Cobras
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