Desperados Deal Soul a 72-43 Defeat
February 28, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA â Turnovers and soft defense led to the downfall of the Philadelphia Soul on Sunday afternoon, as they fell 72-43 to the Eastern Division-leading Dallas Desperados in front of a crowd of 16,811 at the Wachovia Center. Philadelphia's defense failed to stop a Desperados' possession and Dallas quarterback Clint Stoerner threw eight touchdowns in the victory.
Playing in front of Philadelphia fans for the first time, Stoerner completed 15 of 23 passes for 242 yards, earning Offensive Player of the Game honors.
"The fans here are really overwhelming," Stoerner said. "They've got great spirit, so it was a rush to come here and win."
Soul quarterback Tony Graziani found the end zone three more times, finishing 14-for-26 for 191 yards with one interception. Philadelphia fullback/linebacker Chris Ryan carried nine times for 29 yards and two touchdowns.
The game was a story of two halves. The first half featured back and forth offensive action, as neither team was able to record a defensive stop. The teams traded scores through both quarters until Dallas recovered a fumbled kickoff return by Steve Smith at the Soul's 18-yard line and scored the go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing drive. The Desperados led 38-35 at the half.
Another turnover put Philadelphia in a hole early in the third quarter. After Stoerner and Dallas wide receiver/defensive back Bobby Sippio connected on a 30-yard score, Ryan fumbled a pitch on the team's first play from scrimmage in the second half. Stoerner found wide receiver/linebacker Jason Shelley two plays later to give Dallas a 52-35 lead.
The Desperados closed the door on Philadelphia's comeback bid with a defensive stop near the end of the third quarter, as wide receiver/linebacker Sean Scott failed to reel in a fourth down pass from Graziani.
The Desperados outscored the Soul 34-8 in the second half including 21 straight to start the half.
After the game Soul head coach Michael Trigg discussed his take on the game and changes that are likely to be made over the next few weeks.
Dallas gave us a problem with our size match up," Trigg said. "We just have to learn a lesson and not go with the smaller quicker guys and maybe put in some guys with more size."
The Soul host another divisional rival next Sunday when they take on the New York Dragons at the Wachovia Center. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. and the game can be seen live on NBC Sports (WCAU Philadelphia). The game can also be heard on Newstalk 990 AM and at www.philadelphiasoul.com. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Notes: Tony Graziani needs one more touchdown pass for the 300th of his career...Chris "Soul Train" Ryan's touchdown run in the first quarter was his first of the season...OS Tyronne Jones' 32-yard TD catch in the second quarter was his first of the season...The teams combined for 20 penalties, with Dallas committing 15 of them.
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