Raudabaugh, defense help Soul weather Storm 73-55
Sunday May 26, 2013
East Division Leaders Win Second Consecutive Game
TAMPA (May 25, 2013) – The Philadelphia Soul (5-4) got a strong second-half defensive effort and a sharp performance from Dan Raudabaugh on their way to a convincing 73-55 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm (6-4) in front of 11,804 fans at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Saturday night.
“We came out in the second half and played like the team we are capable of being,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel. “Two big defensive stops to start the third quarter and Dan (Raudabaugh) was efficient with the football. When you do those things and balance it with Derrick (Ross) in our rushing game, we will win a lot of games with the kind of performance.”
Tiger Jones led Soul receivers with eight receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns, while Ryan McDaniel added seven receptions for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Andrae Thurman contributed with four receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game, Soul QB Dan Raudabaugh guided the Philadelphia offense and finished by connecting on 20-of-23 passes for 297 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
The ground game was spearheaded by J Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game, Derrick Ross, who finished with 15 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.
Defensively, Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, Bryan Robinson, who had 3.0 total tackles and two sacks led the pressure along with Calvin Fance (5.0 total tackles and a sack), Ko Quaye (one sack), while LaRico Stevenson (6.5 total tackles) and Rayshaun Kizer (5.0 total tackles and two pass breakups) helped seal the victory.
Tampa Bay was led by QB Adrian McPherson, who finished 19-of-35 for 258 yards, five touchdowns passing, two rushing touchdowns, but was sacked four times. Joe Hills finished with nine receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns, while Greg Ellingson added nine catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
The Soul took the opening drive on three plays and capped it with a Ross 6-yard rushing touchdown for a 7-0 lead to start the game. Tampa Bay answered with a 29-yard touchdown pass from McPherson to Greg Ellingson, but a missed extra point kept the Soul in the lead 7-6. The Soul ended the first quarter scoring when Raudabaugh found McDaniel on a 16-yard touchdown and a 14-6 lead.
A great defensive stand, highlighted by back-to-back sacks from Calvin Fance and Bryan Robinson, forced a turnover on downs. However, a bad snap on a field goal attempt gave the ball back to the Storm. McPherson took advantage by scoring on a 1-yard rush to bring the score to 14-13 in favor of the Soul.
Two Ross touchdowns and three by Tampa Bay’s Joe Hills helped bring the halftime score to 34-31 with the Storm leading at the half.
After forcing another turnover on downs, the Soul got a 3-yard touchdown from Ross to start the third and take a 38-34 lead. Another defensive stand gave the Soul the ball back and they answered with a Raudabaugh to Thurman 14-yard touchdown and a 45-34 lead with 4:48 left in the third.
McPherson countered with a 31-yard scoring strike to Ellingson to narrow it to 45-41, but Raudabaugh again led the offense with a quick one-play touchdown to Tiger Jones to extend the lead to 52-41 after three quarters.
Carlos Martinez attempted and recovered an onsides kick to start the fourth and the Soul responded by scoring on a 44-yard pass from Raudabaugh to McDaniel and a 59-41 advantage that the Soul didn’t look back from. The Soul added touchdowns from McDaniel and Jones, while Hills and McPherson added a pair, but Philadelphia came out victorious, 73-55.
The Soul will return home for a re-match of ArenaBowl XXV when the Arizona Rattlers visit on Saturday, June 1 at Wells Fargo Center at 4:05 p.m. The game can be seen on The Comcast Network with Matt Martucci and Tom Goodhines calling the action.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh
Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia’s Bryan Robinson
J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Derrick Ross
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Philadelphia’s Ryan McDaniel one-handed touchdown catch in the fourth quarter
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s Carlos Martinez onside kick recovery in the fourth quarter.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA SOUL
The Philadelphia Soul are presented by Parx Casino. They capped their seventh Arena Football League season by capturing the 2012 American Conference championship. The Soul will return home for a re-match of ArenaBowl XXV when the Arizona Rattlers visit on Saturday, June 1 at Wells Fargo Center at 4:05 p.m. For tickets, contact 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. Follow the Soul on Facebook at facebook.com/soul and Twitter at twitter.com/soulfootball.
