Power Fall Short Against the Soul, Pr 3-23
March 23, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Pittsburgh Power News Release
(Pittsburgh)
There were more fireworks than just the ones that occurred at halftime at
CONSOL Energy Center on Friday night when the Philadelphia Soul came into
Pittsburgh and knocked off the Power in their home opener 84-59. in front of
7,094 fans.
Both teams got off to quick starts, with Philadelphia taking possession first.
Right off the bat, Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh and his wide receiver
Donovan Morgan established a strong connection. Raudabaugh hit Morgan
three times on the drive including a six-yard touchdown pass.
Bill Stull and the Power took the field and immediately called the Philadelphia
score. Stull would find Mike Washington deep over the seam for the Power score.
After a missed PAT, Pittsburgh trailed 7-6.
The good fortune continued to fall in the Power's favor on the ensuing kickoff
when Collin Wagner's kick hit the crossbar and bounced around in the end zone
before being recovered by Bryan Williams for another Power score. Another
missed extra point gave the Power a 12-6 lead.
Philadelphia answered on their next drive when the Raudabaugh-to-Morgan
connection was re-established. The two hooked up three times again for 36
yards and another score. The Soul took the lead 14-12.
The Power went back to work looking to retake the lead late in the first. Stull
spread the ball around hitting three different receivers on the drive as
Pittsburgh marched down the field. Tyre Young powered his way in from five
yards out to put Pittsburgh ahead 19-14 at the end of the first quarter.
Pittsburgh squandered an opportunity when John Green intercepted a
Raudabaugh pass and appeared to return it all the way for a score, but he
fumbled the ball into the end zone and Philadelphia recovered it for a touchback.
The Soul took advantage, driving down the field for a touchdown, giving the
Soul a 21-19 lead.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the second quarter as Stull orchestrated
another drive for the Power. In the red zone, Stull hit Moqut Ruffins in the back
corner to once again give the Power a lead going up 26-21.
Philadelphia began to take control in the middle of the second. Ross picked up
his second score on the night when he rushed in for a four-yard score to regain a
28-26 lead. On the Power's next possession, the Soul defense was able to force a
P.J. Berry fumble and the offense took advantage of it when Raudabaugh and
Morgan connected for their third score of the game.
Stull then found Randy Hymes on a 27-yard bomb to cut the deficit to two. The
Power had another opportunity to regain the lead before the half when Larico
Stevenson picked off Raudabaugh, but the Power drive stalled and ended on
downs. As time expired in half, Ross pounded his way across the goal line to give
the Soul a 41-33 lead at the half.
After the break, Stull and Hymes connected twice for 33 yards and a score that
cut the Philadelphia lead to one. Raudabaugh then hit Tiger Jones for a 30-yard
TD to go back up by 8.
The ensuing kickoff would also be recovered by Philadelphia after Berry couldn't
handle it off the nets. It took Raudabaugh one play to hit Larry Brackens to
increase the Soul lead to 15.
After another Washington score, the Power were able to successfully convert an
onside kick and then possession changed hands multiple times over the next few
plays. Philadelphia would eventually get the ball back on a Rayshaun Kizer
interception but as the Soul neared the end zone, Justin Parrish picked up a
Raudabaugh fumble and rumbled 46 yards for a Power touchdown. Philadelphia
would block and return the extra point, making the score 57-54 at the end of the
third quarter.
Philadelphia started off the fourth the same way they started the game, with
Raudabaugh finding his favorite target Morgan for a 30-yard score to increase
the lead to eleven.
Late in the fourth Stull connected with Lonnell Dewalt for the score, which
would be the last time Pittsburgh would find the endzone. Philadelphia then
capitalized on Power turnovers as home team failed to rally, ending a 84-59
Soul victory.
Pittsburgh hits the road next week for a Thursday night match-up with division
rival Milwaukee.
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