Soul Stay Perfect Behind D'Orazio, 59-51
March 29, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
Philadelphia (March 29) -- Quarterback Matt D'Orazio tossed seven touchdown passes, including three each to Chris Jackson and Larry Brackins as the Philadelphia Soul extended its perfect record to 5-0 with a 59-51 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm Saturday afternoon at the Wachovia Center.
D'Orazio hit Brackins for 22 yards on a critical third and 17 play in the final minute and followed with a three-yard TD to Jackson for the final margin of victory. The Soul defense held on for the final 38 seconds to secure the first 5-0 start in franchise history.
The triumph moved the Soul into sole possession of first place in the Arena Football League Eastern Division, ahead of the 4-0 Dallas Desperados, who meet the New York Dragons Sunday afternoon. The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 2-2 in the AFL's Southern Division.
The Soul seized control of the see-saw battle midway through the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns during a 2:18 span with D'Orazio hitting Brackins from eight yards out and Jackson on a 14-yard score. The Jackson touchdown was set up by an Eddie Moten fumble recovery.
It was the Soul's second win without starting quarterback Tony Graziani, who was injured in the Week 3 victory over the New York Dragons.
Brackins totaled 139 yards on 10 catches and added a highlight-reel special teams tackle that pinned Tampa Bay to its one-yard-line during the first half. Jackson had eight catches for 76 yards to go along with his TD grabs. His eight yard reception at the end of the first half gave him 12,004 receiving yards, making him just the fourth player in AFL history to surpass the milestone. He ended the game with 12,054 receiving yards.
Jackson now needs just eight more catches to hit the 900 mark for his career and 12 more TD catches for 300.
Storm quarterback Brett Dietz completed each of his first eight passes, including touchdowns to Hank Edwards and Brent Holmes, as the Storm took the lead in the first quarter and stayed in control for most of the first half. Philadelphia's Connor Hughes hit a 32-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give the home team a 25-23 at the break. Dietz ended up with six touchdown passes, including three to wide receiver Lawrence Samuels.
The Soul opened the scoring on the first play of the game, when D'Orazio completed a short sideline pass to Brackins, who then busted it up the sideline for a 37-yard touchdown.
Graziani may return next weekend, when the Soul host the Utah Blaze Saturday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at the Wachovia Spectrum.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 29, 2008
- Destroyers lose 47-44 - Columbus Destroyers
- Brigade lose to SaberCats 44-36 - Kansas City Brigade
- SaberCats edge Kansas City 44-36 - San Jose SaberCats
- Soul Stay Perfect Behind D'Orazio, 59-51 - Philadelphia Soul
- Rampage Return Home to Face Los Angeles Sunday - Grand Rapids Rampage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
