DES MOINES, Iowa (April 30, 2011) – The Philadelphia Soul (2-5) defense forced four turnovers – scoring on two – and held off the Iowa Barnstormers (2-5) to secure the 76-62 road victory in front of 8,103 fans on Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Arena. The Soul, who snapped a five-game losing streak, posted a season-high 76 points in the victory – the most points in a regular-season game since April 21, 2008 when they defeated the Columbus Destroyers, 76-55.
“We still have some areas for improvement, but it was nice to get the victory,” said Soul head coach Mike Hohensee. “We capitalized on the turnovers and we were able to overcome our mistakes late in the game. For a team that really hasn’t had the advantage the home crowd, this was a much needed and satisfying win.”
Philadelphia QB Ryan Vena, who earned National Guard MVP, finished by connecting on 20-of-30 passes for 317 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Leading the receiving corps for the Soul was Keith Stokes with 11 receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns, while Syvelle Newton had four receptions for 85 yards and three touchdowns and Donovan Morgan added three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Philadelphia’s DeJuan Alfonzo had two total tackles, a fumble recovery and a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown. Tanner Varner, who earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Game, added eight total tackles and an 8-yard interception return for a touchdown, while Brandon Perkins and Jeffrey Fitzgerald each added sacks.
Iowa got on the board first when QB Brad Banks found WR Todd Blythe on a 23-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. Philadelphia answered on a 49-yard pass play from Vena to Stokes to take a 7-6 lead. The Soul capitalized on a Barnstormer fumble when Vena found Stokes again on a 14-yard scoring strike to end the first quarter with a 14-6 advantage.
The Soul outscored the Barnstormers 27-21 in the second quarter on Vena scoring strikes to Ty Nsekhe (17 yards), Morgan (24 yards) and Newton (10 yards) and led at halftime, 41-27.
The offense kept clicking as the Soul scored on their first possession of the second half when Vena hit Newton on a 28-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 48-27. But the story of the game was defense as Varner intercepted Banks’ first pass of the next possession and returned it eight yards for a 55-27 lead.
Philadelphia, who has had fourth quarter troubles, got touchdowns from Stokes and Newton, while Alfonzo sealed the victory with his 39-yard interception return for a touchdown en route to 76-62 victory.
The Soul return home to host the Jacksonville Sharks on May 6 at 7:05 p.m. in Wells Fargo Center and will play four of their next five games at home.
Russell Offensive Player: Philadelphia’s Ryan Vena
Riddell Defensive Player: Iowa’s Brad Banks
JLS Ironman: Iowa’s Errick McCown
NiftyTV Playmaker: Philadelphia’s Keith Stokes
Cutter’s Catch of the Game: Iowa’s Errick McCown
Spalding Highlight of the Game: Philadelphia’s Tanner Varner’s 8-yard interception return for a touchdown.
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