PITTSBURGH, PA (JUNE 15, 2013) – Seven Pittsburgh Power turnovers and two Philadelphia Soul net recoveries were too much for the Power (3-9) to overcome in their 59-21 loss to the Soul (7-5), in front of 6,059 at CONSOL Energy Center tonight.
In the 1st Quarter, Philadelphia took advantage of two Power turnovers and a net recovery, which resulted in 21 straight Soul points. After the Power turned over the ball on downs in the game’s opening possession, the Soul took over at the Pittsburgh 9-yard line. Three plays later, Philadelphia fullback Derrick Ross scored from 4 yards out to give the Soul a 7-0 lead. After the two teams exchanged turnovers on their respective possessions, Philadelphia quarterback Dan Raudabaugh found Ross on the first play of the next drive to give the Soul a 14-0 lead. After another Power turnover, Ross scored his third touchdown of the quarter – the AFL Highlight of the Game – on a 14 yard catch-and-run, hurdling a Power defender, making the score 21-0.
The 2nd Quarter opened with Power kicker Julian Rauch missing a 64-yard field goal. The Soul took over at their own 20-yard line and scored five plays later, as Raudabaugh found Ryan McDaniel on an 11-yard scoring pass, which gave the Soul a 28-0 lead. The Power finally got on the board at the 1:48 mark of the 2nd Quarter, as Shane Austin, who replaced Derek Cassidy at the end of 1st Quarter, found Julian Talley for a 30-yard touchdown pass, which made the score 28-7. Philadelphia kicker Carlos Martinez closed out the first half scoring with a 27-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Soul a 31-7 lead.
The Soul wasted no time adding to their lead, scoring on the first play of the 3rd Quarter on McDaniel’s 45-yard touchdown catch from Raudabaugh, which made the score 38-7. The Power responded with Talley’s second touchdown catch from Austin that cut the lead to 38-14. Philadelphia came right back when Raudabaugh connected with Anthony Jones for a 7-yard touchdown pass, which increased their lead to 45-14. The Soul took advantage of another Power turnover, as Rayshaun Kizer’s (Riddell Defensive Player Of The Game) interception led to Andre Thurman 5-yard touchdown catch two plays later, increasing the Philadelphia’s lead to 52-14. The Soul had a net recovery on the ensuing kickoff and found the end zone four plays later on Jones’ second touchdown catch of the game, making the score 59-14. Mike Washington scored his first touchdown of the game on a 40-yard catch from Austin which ended the 3rd quarter scoring with the Soul leading 59-21.
Neither team scored in the 4th Quarter.
Philadelphia’s Derrick Ross (Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game and J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game)became the new AFL all-time rushing leader this evening (surpassing Arizona and Carolina’s Bo Kelly, who played from 1996-2007) with 1,618 yards. Ross finished the game with three touchdowns (2 receiving and 1 rushing), 54 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards. Raudabaugh finished with 18-of-27 for 211 yards and 7 touchdowns.
The Power’s Shane Austin was 18-of-30 with a game high 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. Julian Talley led Pittsburgh’s receiving corps with 9 catches for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Power hit the road next Saturday, June 22 against the Orlando Predators (4-8) at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on both thisTV Pittsburgh and TribLIVE Radio SportsTalk. Pittsburgh’s next home game is Saturday, June 29 against the New Orleans VooDoo at 7:00 p.m.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Philadelphia Fullback Derrick Ross
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Philadelphia Defensive Back Rayshaun Kizer
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME
Philadelphia Fullback Derrick Ross
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME
Philadelphia’s Anthony Jones’ deflected reception while seated on turf in 1st Quarter
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
Philadelphia’s Derrick Ross’ 3rd touchdown of the 1st Quarter, hurdling over Pittsburgh defender