Soul drop season finale, 77-63, to Dallas Desperados
May 22, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA â The Philadelphia Soul (6-10) concluded their 2005 season today with a hard fought 77-63 loss at the hands of the Dallas Desperados (8-7-1) in front of 12,273 fans at American Airlines Center.
With both teams eliminated from postseason play, the outcome came down to the final 30 seconds of the game. Trailing by seven points with 28 seconds remaining the game, the Soul had the ball on their 23-yard line. On fourth down, Soul quarterback Tony Graziani's pass with intercepted by Jermaine Jones, who returned it 45 yards for the touchdown.
Graziani had one of his best statistical games of the season, completing 27-of-51 for 356 yards and six touchdowns. His sixth touchdowns put him at 90 for the season while his 51 attempts broke a team record (previous record 45 attempts). Graziani's main targets for the game were offensive specialist Steve Smith and wide receiver/linebacker Marcus Knight. Smith recorded nine receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns while Knight had a team-high 10 receptions for 107 yards and a pair of scores.
Dallas was led by offensive player of the game offensive specialist Jason Shelly. Shelly totaled 10 receptions for 147 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a rushing attempt for an 11-yard score. Quarterback Clint Stoerner completed 18-of-23 for 230 yards and six touchdowns.
The Soul began the game with an onside kick attempt but after the ball went out of bounds, the Desperados started their opening drive at the Soul's five-yard line. Dallas got in the scoring column three plays later after fullback/linebacker Duke Pettijohn rumbled in from one yard out.
On Philadelphia's first possession, the Soul turned the ball over after wide receiver/linebacker Sean Scott fumbled the ball at the Desperados'15-yard line. Dallas capitalized on the fumble when Stoerner found wide receiver/linebacker Bobby Sippio on an eight-yard slant route. After the Desperados converted the extra point, the Soul trailed 14-0.
The Soul cracked the scoring column when Tyronne Jones rushed in from three yards out to cut the deficit to 14-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Desperados wide receiver/defensive back Will Pettis returned the ball 56-yards for a touchdown. The return was the third kick return for a touchdown the Soul have allowed this season.
The Soul answered with a 46-yard drive ending with a three-yard rush from fullback/linebacker Chris Ryan. Ryan was hit behind the line of scrimmage but broke four tackles before crossing the goal line.
On Dallas's next possession defensive specialist Joe Todd picked off Stoerner's pass in the Soul's endzone. It was Todd's first interception of the season. Todd replaced Eddie Moten in the starting defensive backfield after he was placed on injured reserve yesterday. After the turnover the Soul tied the game 21-21 when Graziani found Smith from 24-yards out.
Shelly gave Dallas a 28-21 lead after he rushed in from nine yards out. The Soul answered on the first play from scrimmage when Graziani found Jones on a 30-yard corner route.
The two teams traded scores to conclude the first half, including a 15-yard strike from Graziani to Knight. After the first half the game was knotted at 35-35.
On the first series of the second half, Philadelphia took their first lead of the game when Graziani found Scott streaking across the middle for a 23-yard scoring reception. Dallas' special teams unit continued to shine after Pettis returned his second kick of the game for a touchdown, this time a 58-yard return.
The Soul failed to convert on fourth down on their next two possessions and the Desperados capitalized on both stops with Stoerner finding Shelly on a 10-yard and 28-yards scores respectively. The touchdowns put the Desperados up 56-42.
Graziani and company responded on the next series when he found Smith for a perfect 45-yard touchdown strike. After three quarters, the Soul trailed 56-49.
The Soul's special teams unit responded on the ensuing kickoff when defensive specialist Calvin Coleman forced Pettis to fumble in the endzone. Coleman pounced on the ball and the Soul once again tied the score, 56-56. It was the second time in the game that the Soul erased a 14-point deficit.
Dallas would outscore the Soul 21-7 over the final 12:38 of the game including the final interception return of the game.
Season tickets for the 2006 season are on sale now. For more information call 888-PHIL-AFL or visit www.philadelphiasoul.com.
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