Lights out Defense Shut down Gladiators
June 24, 2017 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul (10-0) defeated the Cleveland Gladiators (3-8), with the final score 59-28 in front of 10,580 fans at the Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday night.
"We made a lot of mistakes on offense tonight, but we will take the win" said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. "It will be good to take the bye week to rest up and prepare for the final stretch of the season."
Soul WR Shaun Kauleinamoku led the receivers with six receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns. WR Darius Reynolds added six receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown and WR Ryan McDaniel tallied six receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Cleveland WR Michael Preston led the receivers with seven receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns.
Philadelphia QB Dan Raudabaugh completed 18-of-33 passes for 256 yards and six touchdowns. Cleveland QB Arvell Nelson completed 18-of-36 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gladiators won the coin toss and elected to kick off to the Soul. The Soul scored off their first drive of the game with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Raudabaugh to McDaniel. Trevino's kick was good and the Soul jumped out to a 7-0 lead. The Gladiators were unable to complete the first down and the Soul gained possession once again. Raudabaugh found Benson for a one-yard touchdown and the Soul stretched their lead, 14-0. Preston fumbled for the Gladiators and the ball was recovered by Soul DB Dwayne Hollis. The Soul capitalized with a quick 9-yard touchdown pass from Raudabaugh to Reynolds. The kick was good and the Soul remained in the lead 21-0 with 6:59 to go in the first quarter. The Gladiators grabbed their first touchdown of the night on a 5-yard rush by FB Jeramie Richardson. With the made extra point, the Soul kept their lead 21-7 to end the first quarter.
SK kicked off the second quarter with a 35-yard touchdown, stretching the Soul's lead to 28-7. LB Joe Goosby caught his fourth interception of the season on an off-the-net pass from Nelson, giving the Soul possession once again. Kauleinamoku caught his second touchdown pass of the night on a 28-yard pass from Raudabaugh. With the successful PAT, the Soul led 35-7 with 7:20 to go in the first half. Nelson connected with Preston for a 17-yard touchdown, his first of the night. With 2:16 remaining, the Soul kept the lead 35-14. Raudabaugh connected with McDaniel once again for a 15-yard touchdown. The Soul finished off the first half with a 42-14 lead.
The Gladiators started off the second half with Nelson's pass intercepted by Soul DB Kent Richardson however the Soul were unable to capitalize on this with Raudabaugh's pass intercepted by Gladiators' DB Kenny Veal. The Gladiators regained possession and Nelson found Preston for a 6-yard touchdown, bringing the game to 42-21. Raudabaugh's pass was again intercepted by Veal and the Gladiators closed the gap 42-28. Trevino missed the field goal for Philadelphia and at the end of the third quarter, the Soul led 42-28.
Nelson's first pass of the final quarter was intercepted by Soul DB James Romain, giving the Soul possession once again. Trevino's 25-yard field goal was good and the Soul added three to the board, 45-28. The Gladiators were unable to complete the first down and the Soul took over with 7:47 to play. On a pass to Reynolds, Gladiators' DB Fredrick Obi forced a fumble and the Gladiators took over possession however on the next drive, Nelson's pass was once again intercepted by Hollis and the Soul regained possession. Raudabaugh found SK for a 21-yard touchdown, his third of the night. With one minute to play, the Soul extended their lead 52-28. Another fumble by the Gladiators, recovered by NG Justin Lawrence, resulted in another Soul touchdown. Trevino's kick was good and the Soul finished the game with a final score of 59-28.
The Soul will recognize their third bye week of the 2017 season in Week 13. Following the bye, the team will travel to Baltimore to take on the Brigade on Saturday, July 8 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network and 97.5 the Fanatic.
Offensive Player of the Game: Philadelphia WR Shaun Kauleinamoku
Defensive Player of the Game: Philadelphia DB James Romain
MVP of the Game : Philadelphia QB Dan Raudabaugh
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Arena Football League Stories from June 24, 2017
- Gladiators Outdueled by Soul - Cleveland Gladiators
- Lights out Defense Shut down Gladiators - Philadelphia Soul
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