VooDoo Still Hexed, Fall To Spokane Shock On Saturday In The Graveyard

Sunday June 26, 2011

NEW ORLEANS (June 25, 2011) – Turnovers and penalties continue to haunt the New Orleans VooDoo (2-12) in The Graveyard, extending its home loss streak to nine games dating back to 2008 with a 75-54 defeat to the Spokane Shock (7-7) on Saturday night.

The VooDoo had one fumble, three turnover on downs and one missed field goal in the loss, coupled with a season-high of 15 penalties for 105 yards.  The 21-point loss tied the largest point differential this season at home for the VooDoo.

“Penalties – a ton of them and because of them, were losing,” said head football coach Derek Stingley. “In my mind, it’s all about penalties at the wrong time.”

D. Bryant completed 24-of-41 pass attempts for 271 yards and six passing touchdowns.  He was without an interception or fumble in the loss.

VooDoo wide receiver P.J. Berry – who had been without a touchdown in his last two contests – finished with 221 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns in the loss that included a 54-yard kickoff return for a score.

The first play of the game was in the Shock’s favor when Terran Sanders returned Jonathan Ruffin’s 57-yard kickoff for a touchdown, but the VooDoo came right back the following drive to make the score even when D. Bryant connected with wide receiver Carlese Franklin in the end zone.

However, the Bryant-to-Franklin connection would be the only points the VooDoo would score in the first quarter as the Shock remained electric, building a 21-7 lead.

Spokane built its first half lead to as many as 20 points twice before going into the locker room with a 41-14 advantage, holding its biggest lead of the game to that point.

Despite its slow start in the first half, the VooDoo scored their final six offensive possessions of the game, but New Orleans was unable to recover from its first quarter deficit.  Of the six touchdowns in the second half, Berry accounted for six of them, while Skyler Green had two.

The VooDoo will be back in action next week when they travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Storm. Kickoff is slated for 6:05 p.m. CT.