SaberCats fall short in comeback
Sunday July 27, 2008
Philadelphia Takes ArenaBowl XXII, 59-56
NEW ORLEANS (July 27, 2008) – Quarterback Matt D’Orazio passed for seven touchdowns and ran for another as the Philadelphia Soul hung on for a 59-56 win over defending champion San Jose, but not before the SaberCats gave a gallant comeback in the final minutes of ArenaBowl XXII Sunday afternoon in New Orleans Arena.
The Sabercats (13-6) outscored Philly (16-3), 22-13, in the final period, just a little too late for their 4th ArenaBowl title in the last six seasons.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Soul led, 46-34, but San Jose battled back behind Mark Grieb was six of 10 and connected on three touchdowns in the period. But a key onside kick recovery and return of 16 yards put the ‘Cats in position to score again with 22 seconds remaining in the game.
Grieb then hit Geathers for 14 yards, his fifth touchdown and 8th catch of the game closing the Soul margin to 59-54. Geathers ran for the 2-point conversion and it was 59-56 with 15 ticks on the clock.
A.J. Haglund’s 3rd onside kick off in the final 1:34 was recovered by Rod Davis with 15 seconds left. D’Orazio, the game’s Most Valuable Player, then retreated on three consecutive downs to un out the clock.
Grieb finished 27 of 44 with on interception, 299 yards and eight touchdowns. His main target was Rodney Wright, who had an ArenaBowl record 13 catches, for 146 yards and three TDs.
Geathers, playing both receiver and ‘Jack’ linebacker, had 101 yards 2.5 tackles, including a half tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
The Soul built a 37-27 halftime lead, thanks to several mistakes by the SaberCats in the second quarter. But D’Orazio took advantage connecting 13 of 20 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.
Philadelphia added nine points in the 3rd stanza, D’Orazio found Jackson for 32 yards and then Raheem Orr tackled Grieb in the endzone for a safety, the first since two were made in ArenaBowl XIV (2000) when Orlando defeated Nashville, 41-38.
A couple crucial mistakes in the 2nd quarter cost San Jose 14 points when Philly took over on a 4th-down incomplete pass by Grieb with 5:54 remaining. On the first play, D’Orazio found Larry Brackins for the 20-yard score. Hughes’ extra point gave the Soul a 27-20 lead at 4:50 of the second.
On the ensuing series, Grieb’s second pass was forced into the middle of field where Eddie Moten intercepted the ball at the 3 yard line and returned it 17 yards to the 20. In five plays, including a San Jose penalty, D’Orazio then carried the ball eight yards to the left for the touchdown with :54 seconds left in the half.
D’Orazio’s TD and Hughes extra point gave the Soul a 34-20 margin.
Geathers second TD reception of 23 yards in the second quarter came after Grieb connected twice with Wright for a total of 20 yards. That closed the Soul lead to 34-27.
NOTES – Wright’s 13 catches broke the ArenaBowl record for number of receptions in the game. The record was held by three others including Derek Lee of Georgia, Terrell Shaw of Grand Rapids and Eddie Brown of Albany…The season-leading SaberCats in sacks (30) had three to the Soul two, with Ron Jones collecting two for 16 yards in losses and linebacker Frank Carter had the other…Wright also had an interception at the 2 yard line with 8:14 left in the 4th, but after nearly a 5-minute review, the officials ruled he fumbled the ball and Phil Bogle recovered the ball for Philly…Three of the officials working day’s game were the same ones who work the controversial New York loss at Philadelphia…Penalties went against San Jose, 11 to 8, and San Jose lost two challenges and Philly won the only challenge (the Wright fumble).
