On the Soul's opening drive of 2012 their offensive unit did not disappoint after weeks of build up. WR Tiger Jones capped an eight-play drive with a 7-yard touchdown reception connecting with fellow former Dallas Vigilantes QB Dan Raudabaugh for the first time this season. WR Donovan Morgan had the game's first three catches for 14, 10 and 15 yards to help get the Soul to the VooDoo's 7-yard line to set up Jones' touchdown reception.
After the defense completed their first defensive stop of the season by breaking up a QB Kurt Rocco's pass on fourth-and-eight at the Soul's 24-yard line, the Soul struck right back with another score making it an early 14-0 lead for the visitors. Morgan collected his first touchdown reception of the season with a 13-yard reception on the Soul's third play of the drive.
With just one second left to play in the 1st quarter, the VooDoo were able to punch the ball into the endzone for their first score of the season. FB Joe Alajajian stretched the football across the goal line for the VooDoo on a second effort play from just 3 yards out. A roughing the passer penalty on Soul DL Bryan Robinson put the VooDoo at the Soul's 9-yard line which set up the score two lays later. VooDoo K Josh Shene failed the point-after-attempt giving the Soul 14-6 lead at the end of the 1st.
The 2nd quarter started just like the 1st with the Soul scoring a touchdown with ease further displaying their newly acquired offensive weapons. Raudabaugh connected with a wide open WR Jeff Hughley for the 24-yard touchdown strike as he walked into the end zone for the 21-6 advantage.
The heralded Soul defense allowed another VooDoo touchdown at the 9:03 mark in the 2nd quarter. On a 3rd-and-seven yard play, Rocco threw a 37-yard bomb to WR Quorey Payne who stepped out-of-bounds at the Soul's 5-yard line. Soul DB Rayshaun Kizer lost sight of Payne who was able to convert the long 1st down. Alajajian ran in another score from 2 yards out make the margin 21-13 after a successful Shene PAT.
The Soul then converted on their fourth straight drive by scoring another touchdown on a 1-play drive. On the Soul's 15-yard line, Raudabaugh threw a 35-yard bomb to Jones for his second touchdown reception off the game. Jones caught that ball at the right end zone marker near the sideline wall to make the terrific grab.
The Soul's 28-13 advantage wasn't safe for long as Rocco converted a 4th-and-one with a QB sneak to the Soul's 22-yard line for a 2-yard gain and the 1st down. He then threw his first touchdown pass of the season to Payne for the 22-yard score putting the game at 28-20 with 4:30 left to play in the half.
During the Soul's next drive on what looked to be an 11-yard Morgan touchdown run off a pitch from Raudabaugh, the officials ruled Morgan stepped out on the 1-yard line. A Morgan holding penalty on former Philadelphia Eagles KR Jorrick Calvin on the next play put the ball at the VooDoo's 11-yard line negating FB Derrick Ross' touchdown run. On 3rd-and-goal Calvin punched the ball out of Morgan's hands after a 5-yard reception resulting in a VooDoo fumble recovery and their first stop of the game.
With 1:07 left to play in the half, the Soul were able to stop the VooDoo from converting the fumble recovery into points. The VooDoo took the ball from their 8-yard line to the Soul's 3-yard line and called a timeout with 9 seconds left on the clock. Rocco then handed the ball of to Alajajian who refused to go down on what proved to be the half's final play resulting in a 5-yard loss just as time expired.
End of 1st Half - Soul 28 VooDoo 20
Stat Leaders:
OFFENSE
Soul -> QB Raudabaugh 12/15 167 yards 4 TD
VooDoo -> QB Rocco 9/17 123 yards 1 TD
Soul -> WR Tiger Jones 5 for 74 yards 2 TD
WR Donovan Morgan 6 for 69 yards 1 TD
VooDoo -> WR Quorey Payne 4 for 77 yards 1 TD
DEFENSE
Soul -> DB Rayshaun Kizer 2 UT / 2 AT
VooDoo -> DB Jorrick Calvin 6 UT / 1 AT & 1 FF
Second Half to come...
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