Soul top Avengers Thursday night
March 20, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
Los Angeles (March 20) -- Quarterback Matt D'Orazio tossed eight touchdown passes, including six to league leading scorer Chris Jackson as the Philadelphia Soul stayed undefeated with its fourth straight win, topping the Los Angeles Avengers, 71-34, Thursday night at the Staples Center. The Avengers dropped their second straight game and stand at 2-2 on the season.
Filling in capably for injured starter Tony Graziani, D'Orazio threw for 197 yards in the first half alone, leading the Soul to a 34-27 lead at intermission. Each of his first three TDs went to Jackson, who starred for the Avengers early in his career and is on pace to become the league's all-time leading receiver during the 2008 regular season.
Behind quarterback Sonny Cumbie and wide receiver Kevin Ingram, the Avengers matched the Soul touchdown for touchdown into the second half, when Soul defensive players stepped up to make a difference.
First, defensive back Mike Brown returned a kickoff 45 yards to set up a four-yard shovel pass touchdown from D'Orazio to Clif Bell. Then, Gabe Nyenhuis recovered a Cumbie fumble in the end zone after Soul defenders combined for a sack that separated Cumbie from the ball. The defense also produced a safety, two interceptions and a second fumble recovery for a score.
D'Orazio's fifth TD pass to Jackson with 5:48 remaining put the Soul in complete control, 57-34, and the visitors coasted from there.
The Soul, who will be without Graziani for several weeks, host the Tampa Bay Storm at the Wachovia Center on Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m.
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