The NFL Network passed over an exciting game because of the Cleveland Gladiators/AFLPU strike. The NFL Network made the decision about an hour before kickoff because of “labor uncertainty”. “This is unfortunate, but we understand the decision being made by NFL Network,” AFL Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said in a statement, “The public negotiation tactics of some have put a large number of people in a difficult situation. We will continue to work at reaching an agreement with our players and hope that those involved in the talks will proceed in a more constructive way.”

The Milwaukee Mustangs (4-8) have lost yet another game with less than twenty ticks on the clock as the Philadelphia Soul (10-3) scored with 13 seconds left on the clock. This would be the 12th lead change of the game. A game that was as exciting as Arena Football is meant to be.
The Mustangs wore their retro purple and teal jerseys. This uniform is one of the most popular Arena Football League uniforms raking 12th on an AFL poll http://www.arenafootball.com/news/top-25-uniforms-arena-football-history. The Phillies also wore retro outfits and even some of the music played during the games fit the theme. They even had an Alumni Phillies squad come out and perform at halftime. The Mustangs organization did a great job with the retro night theme. Unfortunately their efforts went mostly unnoticed as a measly 3312 fans turned out for the game.

Was the low turnout due to the AFL turmoil? I don’t think so. Was it the beautiful weather that we only get a few days a year before we are swarmed by mosquitoes? It probably had a lot to do with it. Was it because the Milwaukee Brewers were in town playing at the same time? I’m sure this also contributed to the low attendance. There are only so many sports fans in this “small market”. The AFL needs to do a better job working with teams to ensure that they have an opportunity to succeed. Perhaps this may have been a better week to have a bye than Week 1 and Week 5.

Kelvin Rodgers returned the opening kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown. Derrick Ross quickly scored showing why he was the AFL MVP of the week last week as he pounded his way into the end zone from 11 yards out.

Following a failed onside attempt that was tipped out of bounds by Jared Jenkins, Andrae Thurman caught a 12-yard pass for a touchdown to give Milwaukee a 13-7 lead. The extra point was missed.

A great 49 yard return by Jeff Hughley took the ball to the one-yard line. Larry Brackins caught a touchdown pass over the end zone wall, pushing Philadelphia in the lead 14-13.

The Soul successfully converted their onside kick attempt this time. But three plays later the ball was stripped by Marcus Everett, the Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, and recovered by Dwayne LeFall.
Milwaukee made the most of this opportunity with a pass to Jared Jenkins to bring Milwaukee back on top 20-14.

Philadelphia started the second quarter with another Derrick Ross rushing touchdown from 4 yards out.

After the kickoff bounced off the crossbar and the ground, Kelvin Rodgers struck again with another 54 yard return for a touchdown to tip the scales in Milwaukee’s favor yet again 27-21.

This back and forth battle continued as Soul Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh connected with Tiger Jones on a 30 yard touchdown reception, giving the Soul the advantage once again 28-27.

Milwaukee Quarterback Gino Guidugli, coming off a team record, nine touchdown game last week, threw a seven yard touchdown pass to Mustangs fullback Jeff Tow-Arnett. Milwaukee was up once again 34-28.

Donovan Morgan caught a 17 yard pass for the Soul on their next drive. With yet another lead change the score was now 35-34 Soul on top.

Milwaukee offensive lineman Justin Lawrence fought hard for his 2 yard goal line rushing touchdown on fourth down to take a 41-35 lead.

Milwaukee fought hard and held Philadelphia out of the end zone on the last drive of the half.

Philadelphia started the second half almost as fast as Milwaukee started the first. The Soul scored on just one play with a 30 yard pass from Dan Raudabaugh to Jones to tie the game at 41-41.

The Soul defense stepped up their game and stopped Milwaukee to turn the ball over on downs. After a holding penalty Raudabaugh threw a pass to Donovan Morgan, who broke several tackles on his way to a 44 yard touchdown. Connor Hughes’ kick was wide to the right. Philadelphia had once again gained the lead 47-41.

Guidugli took matters into his own hands with a 2 yard run for a score. The extra point allowed Milwaukee to jump back up 48-47.

The third quarter ended with Marcus Everett intercepted a pass and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. This was his third interception returned for a TD this season. As good as an interception returned for a touchdown may be, Everett was then penalized for unsportsman like conduct for kicking the ball into the stands. These types of mental breakdowns are what seem to be the downfall of the Mustangs. They let their emotions take over and stop playing smart football. This score gave Milwaukee the lead 55-47.

On the next drive, Everett intercepted a second pass. The Mustangs were unable to capitalize on this opportunity. Jose Martinez missed a 46 yard field goal attempt after a series of offensive penalties leaving the Mustangs in a 4th and 24 at the mid-field stripe.

Philadelphia responded to their defensive stop by quickly scoring on an 18 yard pass to Jeff Hughley, closing Milwaukee’s lead to one point 55-54.

The Soul defense stopped Milwaukee again with a little help from a no call drop in the end zone that, in my opinion, should have been an obvious defensive pass interference penalty. “It’s a hard call,” Milwaukee linebacker Marcus Everett responded to a question about the contact, “but we were getting called on that with a lot less contact.”

Philadelphia once again stepped up after a big stop by their defense. A wide open Donovan Morgan caught a 3 yard pass for a touchdown. After converting a two point conversion Philadelphia was in the lead 62-55.

Milwaukee fought back, trying to run down the clock, forcing the Soul to use up their time outs Milwaukee managed to score on a rushing 3 yard rush by Jeff Tow-Arnett. The ball was fumbled and bounced on the ground before Tow-Arnett finally crossed the end zone. Coach Landsee stated that the play was designed to have him down on the one yard line but with the fumble and his momentum he had to score. With 36 seconds left on the clock the score was tied 62-62.

The Soul methodically marched down the field showing why they are the top team of this division. With 13.4 seconds left in the game Philadelphia scored what would be the last points of the game in a 17 yard touchdown pass to Donovan Morgan. With the score 69-62 Philadelphia was once again in the lead.

Jeff Sawatzke began writing for ArenaFan.com in 2011. Jeff has lived in the Milwaukee area his entire life; he is currently living in Germantown, Wisconsin. Jeff works for a local dialysis provider as the Information Technology Director. Jeff is married to Melissa and has one daughter. Jeff has been a fan of the Milwaukee Mustangs and the Milwaukee Iron for many years.