Soul win overtime thriller, 56-55, over Rush
April 9, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Soul DS Eddie Moten intercepted QB Matt D'Orazio in the front of the endzone as the Chicago Rush attempted a two-point conversion in overtime to seal a 56-55 victory in front of 14,778 fans at the Wachovia Center. This was the first overtime game in Soul history.
The Soul tied the score with 27 seconds remaining in the game when backup quarterback Matt Sauk found WR/DB Rob Milanese for a Philadelphia touchdown, deadlocking the two teams at 49-49. Chicago had a chance to win the contest in regulation, but kicker Todd Gispert missed a 48-yard field goal as time expired.
After Philadelphia won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball in overtime, Soul FB/LB Wes Ours rumbled his way into the endzone to give the Soul their first lead of the game since late in the second quarter, pushing the home team ahead 56-49.
Chicago would then bring in backup quarterback Michael Bishop to run the ball in from one-yard out on third and goal. After he made his way in, Rush head coach Mike Hohensee decided to go for the victory with an attempt at a two-point conversion. He brought starting quarterback D'Orazio back into the game who was picked off by ADT Defensive Player of the Game Eddie Moten to secure the victory for the Soul.
With less than 11 minutes remaining in the game, Soul QB Tony Graziani went down with a pulled right hamstring as he attempted to avoid a would-be tackler. Graziani did not return and his status for next week's game will be re-evaluated early in the week. Sauk, seeing his first action since Week 3, was picked off by Chicago DS Jeremy Unertl on his first possession from scrimmage.
The Soul's defense responded to the turnover when WR/DB Mike Brown picked off D'Orazio for his fourth interception of the season. On the Soul's ensuing possession, Sauk found WR/LB Sean Scott in the endzone to knot the game at 42 with less than six minutes to go in the contest.
On fourth down from the Soul 16-yard line, D'Orazio found WR/LB Etu Molden for a touchdown to go ahead 49-42 right before the game tying score from Sauk to Milanese.
Philadelphia began the game breaking out to a 21-10 lead midway through the first half before Rush DS Carlos Wright returned a 57-yard kickoff for a touchdown to narrow the gap to 21-18 after a two-point conversion. It was the first kickoff returned for a touchdown allowed by the Soul all season. With under a minute left in the first half, Rush OS C.J. Johnson returned a missed field goal 55 yards for a score to put Chicago ahead for the first time 32-28. The Rush went into the locker room with 35-28 advantage.
Graziani finish the day completing 17-of-30 passes for 249 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Sauk played efficiently in relief, completing 8-of-11 tosses for 71 yards and two touchdowns despite one interception. Leading the way for the Soul receiving core was Offensive Player of the Game Sean Scott who grabbed eight receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown; he also rushed for another score. Ironman of the Game Mike Brown added four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 13 yards on two carries. On defense, he added an interception and two tackles.
The Soul travel to Nashville this Friday, April 14 when the face the Kats. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet (Tape Delayed). The game can also be heard on the New SportsTalk 950 AM and via the web at www.philadelphiasoul.com. The Soul return to the Wachovia Center on Friday, April 21 against the Columbus Destroyers. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the game are still on sale by calling 888-PHIL-AFL or by visiting www.philadelphiasoul.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 9, 2006
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- Wranglers downed by Force, 61-29 - Austin Wranglers
- Destroyers' comeback falls short in 39-36 loss to Orlando - Columbus Destroyers
- Las Vegas stunned at home 58-44 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Soul win overtime thriller, 56-55, over Rush - Philadelphia Soul
- Brigade Dominates Second Half, Marches to 62-45 Victory over LA - Kansas City Brigade
- Kats bounce back with 58-44 win in Vegas - Nashville Kats
- Soul hands Rush 56-55 overtime loss in Philadelphia - Chicago Rush
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