Soul defeat Dallas, 57-28, stay unbeaten
April 28, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (April 28) - Matt D'Orazio ran for two touchdowns and threw for six more as the undefeated Philadelphia Soul chalked up their ninth victory, 57-28, over the Dallas Desperados Monday night before a raucous crowd of 15,426 at the Wachovia Spectrum.
The game marked the latest (Week 9) battle of undefeated teams in Arena Football League history as the two Eastern Division rivals cruised through the first half of the season without a loss. Dallas fell to 7-1 and will look to avenge the defeat when the two teams square off again June 7 in Dallas.
The Soul defense, overshadowed all season by the league's highest scoring offense, won the day early, shutting Dallas out for the game's first 25 minutes, during which the Soul established a 21-point lead. Bryan Save snuffed the first Dallas threat with a bruising sack of Desperados star quarterback Clint Dolezel. Later in the first quarter, Eddie Moten picked off Dolezel to stop a first and goal series.
Dallas finally got on the board with 4:51 left in the first half on a one-yard Dolezel quarterback sneak. But the Soul snatched back the momentum on the extra point try when the defensive line blocked the conversion kick and Soul defensive back Mike Brown scooped it up and ran 40 yards for a two-point defensive score. The Soul added two more touchdowns before intermission, taking a 37-13 halftime lead.
Wide receiver Chris Jackson continued his pursuit of team and league records with seven receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown. He is one touchdown shy of becoming the third player in AFL history to score 300 touchdowns. The big receiving game for the Soul came from Larry Brackins, who accounted for three touchdowns and had four other catches, totaling 77 yards.
D'Orazio, filling in for injured starter Tony Graziani, ended up 20 of 29 for 194 yards and six touchdowns. Dolezel, one of the league's elite quarterbacks, had two rushing touchdowns and was 17 of 36 for 206 yards. The Soul defense came up with a total of four interceptions. Dallas wide receiver Will Pettis caught 10 passes for 133 yards and two scores.
The Soul will try to continue their perfect season Friday night on the road against the 4-4 Cleveland Gladiators. The Soul's next home game is set for Saturday, May 17, when they host the Columbus Detroyers at 7 p.m. at the Wachovia Sports Complex.
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