Soul feast on Predators, 64-60
April 30, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA â The Philadelphia Soul played an inspired game this evening defeating the team with the AFL's best record in the Orlando Predators (9-5), 64-60, at the Wachovia Center.
Billed as an underdog, the Soul had high hopes of pulling an upset en route to a franchise record for wins in a season (six). Thanks in part to strong offensive performances, led by quarterback Tony Graziani and wide receiver/linebacker Marcus Knight, the Soul notched their sixth win of the season.
Philadelphia got off to a fast start with Graziani throwing two touchdowns on the Soul's first two possessions of the game. His first touchdown strike was a 25-yard pass to Knight, followed by a 20-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith.
Graziani finished the game 27-of-38 for 337 yards and seven TDs.
Knight finished with a game-high four touchdowns to go along with his 10 catches for 108 yards. Smith also contributed 10 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned five kicks for 70 yards.
The Soul defense knew coming into this game that they had to disrupt the Predators offense and pressure their inexperienced quarterback Chris Sanders if they were to have a chance at pulling off an upset. Forced fumbles kept Philadelphia close, as Dwayne Missouri and Mario Branch each came up with a forced fumble and a sack to help end crucial Orlando drives.
Sanders matched Graziani score for score throughout the second half, keeping Orlando within striking distance for a win. However, with the start of fourth quarter the Soul offense got in a groove, scoring on every possession and putting the pressure squarely on the shoulders of the Predators' offense. After Orlando fullback Marlon Moye-Brown scored the go-ahead touchdown with 54 seconds remaining in the game, Philadelphia countered with a one yard rushing score of their own by Chris "Soul Train" Ryan with 38 seconds left, giving the Soul a 64-60 lead. The game came down to a fourth down pass with four seconds left that fell incomplete along the side of the endzone, giving the Soul their first ever win over Orlando.
After the game, Soul Interim Head Coach James Fuller spoke openly about what was going on in his mind on the game's final play.
"Hopefully, the ball goes out of bounds," said Fuller "We knew they would go to go Fleming either on a slant or a fade. The ball was thrown high and away and Chris Brown played great defense on the play"
Sanders finished the game 18-31 for 262 yards and five touchdowns.
As a result of his stellar play, Graziani was awarded the Offensive Player of the Game. Branch, playing in his first game in a Soul uniform, earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors while Marcus Knight garnered US Army Ironman of the Game.
With New York's win last night over Dallas, Philadelphia was officially eliminated from post-season play, marking the team's second straight season without a playoff birth.
The Soul are off in Week 15, but return to action in Week 16 when they host the Columbus Destroyers on May 15, 2005. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. (ET) and will be broadcast live on Philadelphia's NewsTalk 990 AM and www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 30, 2005
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