Pittsburgh Power Outlast Philadelphia Soul 57-56
June 14, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Pittsburgh Power (10-3) clinched their first winning season in franchise history on Saturday with a 57-56 win over the Philadelphia Soul (6-7) in thrilling fashion.
Power kicker Julian Rauch knocked through a game-winning 23-yard field goal as time expired to give the Power their seventh-straight win, a streak that started on May 3 when Power and Soul first met this season.
Pittsburgh's night started off rough as Power wide receiver Rodney Wright fumbled the opening kickoff which led to a Soul touchdown run by Derrick Ross to put the Soul on the board first, 8-0. Power quarterback Tommy Grady responded with a 32-yard bomb to Prechae Rodriguez to make it 8-7 Philadelphia.
The Soul and Power traded scores throughout the first half until the Pittsburgh defense forced a turnover on downs following Power wide receiver Tyrone Goard's second touchdown of the game. The turnover allowed Pittsburgh to take their first lead on the night when Grady once again connected with Rodriguez to give the Power a 27-22 lead.
Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh put the Soul back on top 28-27 heading into halftime with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Emery Sammons.
Philadelphia started with possession in the second half, but an Al Phillips interception put the ball back in the hands of Grady and company. Pittsburgh's signal caller hit Rodriguez in the end zone for the third time to put Pittsburgh back on top 33-28. Rauch's ensuing kickoff hit iron and bounced into the lap of Power linebacker James Bryant for a net recovery touchdown to extend Pittsburgh's lead to 12.
The Power took a 47-36 lead into the fourth quarter but Philadelphia cut the deficit to five with another Raudabaugh-to-Sammons touchdown connection. On Pittsburgh's next possession, Philadelphia defensive back Rayshaun Kizer intercepted Grady's pass setting up another Ross touchdown run to put the Soul back on top 48-47.
Pittsburgh looked to lock up the win late in the fourth quarter when Grady hit Rodriguez for his fifth receiving touchdown on the night to give the Power a 54-48 lead. On the Soul's ensuing drive, Brandon Freeman recorded his seventh interception on the season to give Pittsburgh the ball back. A turnover on downs gave the ball right back to Philadelphia and they took advantage of it. Raudabaugh threw a dart to V'Keon Lacey in the back of the end zone to tie things up at 54 and then Raudabaugh raced to the right side on a naked bootleg for the two-point conversion to give the Soul the lead with 35 seconds left in the game.
The Power took the squib kick and worked the clock down. Grady drew the Soul defense offsides on fourth down giving the Power a fresh set of downs to put Rauch in position to knock through the game-winning kick that gave the Power their tenth win on the season. Grady finished the contest 21-of-34 for 197 yards and seven touchdowns. His favorite target was Rodriguez who finished the game with 13 receptions, 144 yards and five touchdowns.
The Power return home for a Week 15 showdown with their East Division foes, the Iowa Barnstormers. Kickoff from CONSOL Energy Center on Friday, June 20 is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from June 14, 2014
- Gladiators Win Second Straight - Cleveland Gladiators
- VooDoo Fall to Gladiators in Cleveland - New Orleans VooDoo
- Storm Wins Overtime Thriller in Iowa - Tampa Bay Storm
- Power Pulls Plug on Soul, 57-56 - Philadelphia Soul
- Pittsburgh Power Outlast Philadelphia Soul 57-56 - Pittsburgh Power
- Spokane's Tupua Named AFL Pulse Player of the Week - AFL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
