Game preview VooDoo vs Pittsburgh
Wednesday June 26, 2013
NEW ORLEANS (June 26, 2013) – The New Orleans VooDoo begin the first of three straight road games as they take on Pittsburgh this Saturday night.
The VooDoo (3-10) are still searching for their first win on the road, and they will square off with a Pittsburgh team that has had similar struggles at 3-10. The VooDoo are also looking to avenge a 46-43 home loss to the Power earlier this season, while the Power are hoping to snap a four game losing streak.
VooDoo quarterback Kurt Rocco had a tough outing last week’s loss to the Talons. Rocco only threw nine passes, three of which were interceptions. He is still ranked tenth in the league in passing yardage with 2,106. Quarterback Chris Dixon saw some action and played a solid game as he amassed 151 yards passing with four touchdowns. He also used his feet for 66 yards on nine carries and two scores. Like Rocco, Dixon developed a rapport with talented receiver Donovan Morgan who had six catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Morgan leads all VooDoo receivers with 74 catches for 1,137 yards and 24 touchdowns and has come a long way since having just three receptions for 43 yards in the first meeting with the Power.
The Power have put multiple quarterbacks under center, including former LSU Tiger Jordan Jefferson, but Steven Sheffield has seen the most action in recent weeks. Sheffield had about an average day going 20-39 for 195 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in last week’s loss to the resurgent Predators. Pittsburgh receiver Mike Washington leads the way for the Power with 103 catches for 1,144 yards and 23 touchdowns. Washington, tenth in the league in receiving, is ranked just ahead of Morgan and had nine receptions for 61 yards and a score in the previous meeting with New Orleans.
Pittsburgh defensive back Sergio Gilliam has had a solid season as he ranks sixth in the league with 70.5 tackles. He also has five interceptions and 17 pass breakups (both team highs). Gilliam also returned a pick for a touchdown against the VooDoo. Defensive back Demarcus Robinson is still the tackles leader for New Orleans with 51, but fellow defensive back Cameron McGlenn comes in as the team’s interceptions leader with five and has 100 return yards. McGlenn has had at least one pick in all but one game he’s played in for the VooDoo. New Orleans linebacker James Bryant is hoping to repeat his solid performance he had against Pittsburgh as he collected two sacks, a safety, and a game high 9.5 tackles.
In the return game, the VooDoo’s Quorey Payne is just 79 yards short of the 1,000-yard mark for kick return yardage. Payne is currently fifth in the league with 921 yards and also had a touchdown last week. The Power’s Chris Leflore is ranked ninth in the league with 777 return yards.
This game will be critical for both teams in the American Conference playoff picture. Both teams are two games behind Orlando for the conference’s final playoff spot. Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker by virtue of their win in New Orleans, and a loss could put those chances out of reach for either team. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT in the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
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About the New Orleans VooDoo
The New Orleans VooDoo will play in the New Orleans Arena, an SMG managed facility directly across the street from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, as well as, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for the last six home games. Single game tickets for VooDoo regular season home games are on sale now by calling 504-875-3900. For more information call (888) 277-5526 for Vice President and Director of Operations, Jason Coffel. The game is on Rush Radio 99.5, WRNO and on the worldwide web at www.wrno.com as well as on Cox 4 in the New Orleans area, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The week following each COX game fans can watch replays on CST. To shop all things VooDoo, visit www.voodoostuff.com and get your gear today.
About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased their fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. CBS Sports Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week on Saturday nights for the entire regular season and postseason through the semifinal round. The ArenaBowl XXVI Championship Game will air on the CBS Television Network on August 17, 2013.
