Soul suffers first loss of season
Philadelphia, which won its first season games, lost 55-57 at Jacksonville.
THE SOUL started its two-game Florida road trip by hitting its first sour note of the season in a 55-47 loss at Jacksonville on Saturday.
The defeat ended a season-opening seven-game winning streak for Philadelphia (7-1), which committed three turnovers and forced none. Jacksonville recovered each of its two fumbles.
Dan Raudabaugh threw seven touchdown passes and an interception for the Soul, which was without fullback Tommy Taggart in the second half. Taggart sustained a right high-ankle sprain and was replaced in the backfield by Bryan Robinson, a veteran defensive lineman.
Robinson had never carried the ball in his six AFL seasons and, sure enough, fumbled at the goal just before halftime.
Despite the injuries and subpar play, the Soul still had a chance to force overtime, but were stopped on downs on their final drive. The Sharks then ran out the clock.
San Jose (8-0) which hammered Spokane, 83-28, is the AFL's only remaining unbeaten team.
Jacksonville (3-5) was the preseason favorite in the South Division, but started 0-4.
The Soul held former teammates Tiger Jones to three catches for 16 yards, and Derrick Ross to 13 yards rushing. Each scored a touchdown, but those yardage totals are season lows for the former Soul stars.
Philadelphia wide receivers Marco Thomas (113 yards, three TDs) and Ryan McDaniel (93 yards, one TD) each had 11 catches.
The Soul will stay in Florida this week in advance of Saturday's game against Tampa Bay. The Storm (3-4) blew a 21-point lead and lost to Orlando over the weekend. Philadelphia's next home game is May 30 against Las Vegas at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.