Derrick Ross offensive player of the game in a big win for the Soul. Photo by Andy Lewis/ contrastphotography.com

The Philadelphia Soul (9-8) used defense and capitalized on turnovers as they defeated the San Jose SaberCats, 42-20, in front of 10,471 fans on Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Center.  In the victory, the Soul set a regular-season mark for fewest points allowed in a game (20) and it keeps the Soul’s playoff hopes alive heading into the final week of the regular season.

 “This is playoff football,” said Soul head coach Clint Dolezel.  “We really brought our ‘A Game,’ especially on the defensive side.  We need to continue to keep up this level of play the rest of the way.”

Philadelphia’s offense was led by Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game, Derrick Ross, who had 109 all-purpose yards (63 rushing and 46 receiving) and three rushing touchdowns.  J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game, Markee White finished with seven receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Emery Sammons also helped the Soul by putting up eight receptions for 82 yards.  Tiger Jones finished with four catches for 41 yards, while Ross added two receptions for 46 yards. Soul quarterback Dan Raudabaugh finished the evening by completing 21-of-36 passes for 240 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

Defensively the Soul was led by Riddell Defensive player of the Game Rayshaun Kizer, who had 9.0 total tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups.  Also for Philadelphia, Calvin Fance had 4.0 total tackles, while Kent Richardson had 3.0 total tackles and an interception.  Padric Scott added a sack.

San Jose’s (12-5) offense was led by Jason Willis with five receptions for 45 yards.  Reggie Gray had four catches for 62 yards, while Dominique Curry added four receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown.  Quarterback Nathan Stanley completed 17-of-40 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. SaberCats defense was led by Simeon Castile with 7.0 total tackles.  Francis Maka tallied 6.5 total tackles, while Ken Fontenette finished with 5.0 total tackles and a pass breakup. 

The first quarter kicked off with a SaberCats touchdown, and a missed extra point.  Armstrong ran in a six yard touchdown with 4:33 remaining.  Pertuit missed the extra point, leaving the SaberCats ahead by six. The Soul were unable to return with a touchdown, and the first quarter ended with the Soul trailing 6-0.

The Soul started the second quarter off strong with Ross’ four-yard touchdown with 13:06 remaining. Carlos Martinez followed through with the kick to give the Soul the lead, 7-6. Soul defense remained strong, leaving the SaberCats unable to respond with a touchdown. A strong pass from Raudabaugh to Markee White ended in a 27-yard touchdown for the Soul with 7:01 remaining in the half.  SaberCats’ ball resulted in a pass by Stanley that was intercepted by Kent Richardson with six minutes remaining in the half.  To keep the momentum going, Ross barreled through defenders for a 32 yard touchdown in the last 40 seconds of the half.  A 6-yard pass from Stanley to Curry resulted in a SaberCat touchdown, with a completed extra point from Pertuit with 16 seconds remaining.  Martinez attempted a field goal in the final five seconds but was unable to make the kick, so the half ended with the Soul leading 21-13. 

The third quarter started off slow for Philadelphia, with an interception for Raudabaugh.  San Jose’s Armstrong had another touchdown, with the kick by Pertuit completed.  The Soul’s offense responded strong with another 7-yard rushing touchdown by Derrick Ross, Martinez’s kick good.  With 2:50 remaining in the third quarter, the Soul led the SaberCats 28-20.  A pass by Stanley resulted in another SaberCat interception by Rayshaun Kizer. The third quarter ended with the Soul leading 28-20.

Markee White completed another 10-yard pass from Raudabaugh for a Soul TD within the first minute of the final quarter.  The SaberCats’ final three drives ended with two interceptions by Kizer and a turnover on downs.  The final score of the game came when Ross plunged in from three yards out to make the final score, 42-20.

In Week 20, the Soul travel to play the Pittsburgh Power in the final week of the regular season.  The game will kick off Saturday, July 26 at 5 p.m. at the Consol Energy Center. 

Game Awards

Russell Athletic Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s Derrick Ross

Riddell Defensive Player: Philadelphia’s Rayshaun Kizer

J Lewis Small AFL Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Markee White

Cutter’s Catch of the Game:  Markee White’s 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Spalding Highlight of the Game: Derrick Ross’ 32-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.