Soul sign pair of af2 standouts
Published on October 12, 2005 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Soul announced today they have signed 2005 af2 Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Matt Sauk and wide receiver/linebacker J.J. McKelvey to contracts. As per club policy, terms of their deals were not disclosed.
Sauk (6'1", 225, Utah State) rewrote the League record book during the regular season for the Louisville Fire by shattering three all-time records and was named the League's Offensive Player of the Year. Setting new marks for touchdowns (99), yards (4,489) and completions (408), Sauk led the Fire to an 11-5 record, three straight postseason wins and to their first ArenaCup appearance in 2005. He finished the season ranked first in pass attempts (603), second in pass completion percentage (67.7%), third in passer rating (118.0) and fourth in offensive plays (618).
"Matt had great success in af2 last season," head coach Bret Munsey said. "He will be a great fit here in our system as I have worked with him in the past and he backed up Tony Graziani in 2002 while they both played in Los Angeles."
McKelvey (6'4", 225, Clemson) finished his second season with the Manchester Wolves of af2 as the League leader in receptions with 138 and second in the League in scoring with 298 points. He was named to the 2005 American Conference All-af2 Team. Offensively, he had 1,454 receiving yards with 44 touchdowns. He also ran for three scores and had five 2-point conversions. On defense, he collected 21.5 total tackles, one sack, one interception that he returned for a touchdown and two pass breakups. Overall, McKelvey set nine Wolves records on the season along with being named af2 Ironman of the Week by the League during Week 5 vs. Macon (4/29/05).
"We expect big things from J.J. this season," Munsey said. "He had an incredible season in af2 and I expect the same as a rookie in this League."
Season tickets for the Soul's 2006 season are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $96. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com for more information. The Soul are entering their third season in the AFL and for the second consecutive year led the League in attendance, averaging 16,121 fans per game. The Soul have a drawn a League best 263,783 fans combined during the past two years. Don't miss the return of the AFL on NBC beginning in January of 2006.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 12, 2005
- C.J. Sedoris of Bishop Gorman High School named Gladiators' Ironman Award winner - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Soul sign pair of af2 standouts - Philadelphia Soul
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