Soul stopped by Desperados, 51-47
Published on February 15, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
DALLAS, TX â After trailing the game throughout the day, the Philadelphia Soul overcame a 23-point lead when quarterback Nick Browder connected with Chris "Soul Train" Ryan on a screen pass that was good for a 10-yard touchdown with a minute remaining in the fourth quarter â putting the Soul up 47 â 44. Dallas then struck back when quarterback Glen Gauntt threw the eventual game-winning pass to Will Pettis, as the Desperados edged out the Soul, 51 â 47.
The Soul had an opportunity with less than 20 seconds left on the clock in the fourth quarter. On the first play from their own 10-yard line, Nick Browder found Derin Graham on an out-route, which went for 25-yards â putting the Soul on the Dallas 15-yard line with 13 seconds left. After three failed tries to get in the end zone and the clock down to 2-seconds, Browder tried to get the ball to Tyronne Jones, but it was deflected by Bobby Sippio, dropping the Soul to 0 â 2 on the season.
"As a coach I have to look at each situation and the first two games we have got off to a slow start," said Soul Head Coach Michael Trigg. "We have big play potential and we showed that in the fourth quarter, the team showed great character fighting their way back."
In the first quarter, the Soul got off to a rocky start as Nick Browder fumbled the ball into the end zone â resulting in a safety for Dallas. A minute later, Gauntt threw a 48-yard strike to Bobby Sippio to give the Desperados a 9 â 0 lead. Philadelphia then got on the board later in the first quarter, when Travis McDonald rumbled in for a 1-yard touchdown.
The second quarter proved to be a shoot-out. Dallas scored three touchdowns, two of them to WR Jason Shelley and the other to Will Pettis, who scored on a 28-yard scamper. Philadelphia then had their turn, when Tyronne Jones broke off a 54-yard kick return, as well as hauling in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Browder.
For the game, Browder completed 20-of-39 for 230 yards and five touchdowns. For Dallas, Glen Gauntt threw for 225 yards and five touchdowns in the win for the Desperados.
Jason Shelley, who finished the game with five catches for 60 yards and three touchdowns, remained the story in the third quarter for the Dallas offense. Shelley scored on a 4-yard run, as well as a 14-yard strike from Gauntt giving the Desperados a commanding 44 â 21 lead halfway through the third quarter.
Just when Dallas thought it was over, Philadelphia was just beginning. With 3:53 remaining in the third quarter, the Soul began a miraculous comeback as Nick Browder threw a 41-yard bomb to Ricky Ross â giving the Soul some life.
Ricky Ross and Tyronne Jones played vital roles in Philadelphia's comeback. Ross caught five passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns, while Jones hauled in eight passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Both players were great on special teams â Ross taking five kicks for 95 yards and Jones had three kicks for 99 yards and a touchdown.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Soul. In the early stages of the fourth, Browder connected with Ross once again, cutting the lead to 44 â 34 â in favor of Dallas. Just minutes later, it was Browder to Tyronne Jones â narrowing the lead to 44 â 40, after Ken Hinsley missed the PAT.
Chris "Soul Train" Ryan gave the Soul its first lead of the game with a minute left in the game, but Gauntt's pass to Pettis proved to be the clincher for Dallas â ending Philadelphia's hopes of obtaining their first win in franchise history.
The Soul will return home this week to host the Columbus Destroyers at the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday, February 21st at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the game are still available. The game will also be televised live on UPN-57 in Philadelphia.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 15, 2004
- Soul stopped by Desperados, 51-47 - Philadelphia Soul
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