Soul hold off VooDoo spell in 70-49 win
Sunday May 29, 2011
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Soul used an explosive offensive performance to hold off the New Orleans VooDoo (2-9) 70-49 in front of 7,626 fans at the Wells Fargo Center Friday night and improve to 4-7 on the season.
The Soul scored 10 touchdowns in the game, six passing and four rushing, including two rushing touchdowns from lineman Darnell Whitely, which earned him Ironman of the Game honors.
"We've had some unfortunate things happen in some of our losses," said Soul head coach Mike Hohensee. "These guys came out and worked hard and today they executed extremely well."
The four rushing touchdowns is the most the team has scored since March 15, 2007 against the Grand Rapids Rampage and ties the franchise record for second most in a game.
Soul quarterback Ryan Vena completed 22 of 33 passes for 291 yards and was responsible for seven touchdowns, six passing and one rushing. Vena's main target of the night was Donovan Morgan who hauled in a game-high eight passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns, including his 100th career touchdown reception which came on a 15-yard Vena pass with 9:07 left in the third quarter. The catch earned him the Cutter's Catch of the Game Award for the evening.
Morgan also earned Most Valuable Player, and Playmaker of the Game Awards for his performance.
The game ended much better than it began for Vena who threw an interception to the VooDoo's Matt Jackson 37 seconds into the game which was returned for a 16-yard touchdown, however, Jonathan Ruffin's extra point attempt failed and left the VooDoo with a 6-0 lead.
Whitely tied the game with his first rushing touchdown while Jon Striefsky, who signed with the team earlier in the day, nailed the extra point to give the Soul a 7-6 lead, a lead they would not resign for the remainder of the game.
Whitely barreled in for his second touchdown, a one-yard run with nine seconds left in the first half to give the Soul a 41-23 lead heading into the locker room.
Syvelle Newtown added three touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing while catching seven passes for 61 yards.
The Soul defense allowed only 147 total offensive yards and 28 offensive points and held the VooDoo scoreless on six possessions in the game. The Soul would have allowed a season low 43 points if not for a Tommy Taggart three-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds remaining in the game.
The VooDoo's D Bryant completed 14 of 26 passes for 157 yards and threw two interceptions including one to Soul defensive back James Sadler in the endzone who returned it 38 yards for the Highlight of the Game.
The Soul's next game will be Friday, June 3 against the Milwaukee Mustangs at 7:05 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA SOUL
We’re back! The Philadelphia Soul’s next home game will be against the Milwaukee Mustangs, which will be on Friday, June 3 at 7:05 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. Pro-rated season tickets start at approximately $50, with individual tickets starting at $13. The Soul capped their previous
five seasons with an ArenaBowl title in 2008. Fans may order tickets by calling the Soul sales department at (215) 253-4900 ext. 3, or request contact from a representative by filling out the form on www.philadelphiasoul.com. The Philadelphia Soul are presented by Frederick’s Chevrolet on the Blvd.
