Derrick Ross breaks league all-time rushing as Soul turn out the Power in Pittsburgh, 59-21
Soul fullback Derrick Ross reached rarified air Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
During the Soul's 59-21 destruction of the Pittsburgh Power at the Consol Energy Center, Ross became the Arena Football League's all time leading rusher.
Ross only needed eight yards to break the record formerly held by Bo Kelly and finished with 54 yards to set the new record at 1,618 yards in only his third season in the league.
Ross and the Soul came out firing on all cylinders Saturday as they raced to a 28-0 lead over the Power. The All-Arena fullback scored the Soul's first three touchdowns with the first coming on the ground and the next two coming from screen passes.
Ross broke the league rushing record on the next offensive possession, which culminated with an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dan Raudabaugh to wide receiver Ryan McDaniel.
The Soul defense provided the offense plenty of opportunities to pile on the points against the Power. The defense forced stops on the first four possessions as they came away with two interceptions, a net recovery after a kickoff and a stop on downs.
The poor offensive play forced Power head coach Derek Stingley to bench starting quarterback Derek Cassidy during the first quarter. In total, the Soul defense forced seven turnovers Saturday night.
"I was pleased with how we came out and played from the start," Soul head coach Clint Dolezel said via a team press release. "This is the time of year when you have to get on a roll and start stringing wins together. This is an important divisional win for us and something that we look to continue to build on."
The Soul took a 31-7 lead into halftime and cruised the rest of the way through.
Raudabaugh had an efficient game under center as he completed 18-of-27 passed for 211 yards and seven touchdowns. His favorite target, Tiger Jones, had his usual big night with nine receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
McDaniel matched Jones in the touchdown department with two of his own. Fellow reeceiver Andrae Thurman had a solid game with seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive back Rayshaun Kizer had a huge game as he led the team with seven tackles and two interceptions. David Richardson and James Romain caught the other two picks.
After Cassidy was benched, Shane Austin replaced him as best he could completing 18-of-30 passes for 269 yards, three touchdowns and two more picks.
Cassidy and Austin were the top two quarterbacks for the Power this week as Steve Sheffield, the man who led the Power to a victory over the Soul back on May 11, missed his second consecutive game due to his father's death last week.
The Soul return home June 22 when they host the Iowa Barnstormers (6-7) at 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. The Soul defeated the Barnstormers earlier this season in Des Moines, Iowa, 54-43.