Deja VooDoo! VooDoo defeat Gladiators on Saturday

Saturday April 16, 2011

 NEW ORLEANS (April 16, 2011) – The New Orleans VooDoo captured its first win of the season by defeating the previously unbeaten Cleveland Gladiators, 34-33, in The ‘Q’ on Saturday night.

The last time these two teams meet was in 2008, and like 2011, Cleveland was 3-0 on the year at the time. However, just like in 2008, New Orleans ended the Gladiators undefeated run.

“This is just a great win – a huge win for our franchise and for this team,” said head football coach Derek Stingley. “We made a lot of moves in the off week, and I’m glad to see that those moves paid off. We needed this win; all along I said we need a starting point and this is a huge starting point for us.”

New Orleans (1-4) trailed Cleveland (3-1) late in the fourth quarter, 33-27, before VooDoo signal caller Danny Wimprine connected with wide receiver James Jordan on an 8-yard slant route to give New Orleans a 34-33 lead after a successful Jonathan Ruffin point after attempt with 4:54 left in the contest. The touchdown pass for Wimprine was his 101st career touchdown pass in the AFL.

Wimprine finished 22-of-36 for 200 yards and three touchdowns to only one interception. He also had three carries for 15 yards and a score.

The score would remain 34-33 for the remainder of the game, but Cleveland made it exciting by getting in the red zone in the final 20 seconds. Cleveland quarterback Kurt Rocco connected with wide receiver Victor Williams along the wall, but Alvin Jackson stopped him at the 10-yard line.

With no timeouts left and the clock continuing to run for the Gladiators, New Orleans watched as the final seconds ran off and the team laid claim to their first victory of 2011.

“This was big for us. We know what we are capable as a team, and when we went up early on them [Cleveland], we knew we had to maintain our momentum,” said Alvin Jackson about the win. “Coach Stingley had a great game plan, and we executed it out there tonight.”

Jackson was atop the game, leading all defenders with 9.5 total tackles (nine solo), an interception and a pass break up. Defensive back Matt Jackson was second on the team with six total stops (five solo), a tackle for a loss and two forced fumbles. It was his first AFL action since 2007.

The VooDoo held a first quarter lead – 14-6 – for the first time all season, and limited an opponent to a season-low 33 points in the victory.

The New Orleans VooDoo will return home on Thursday, April 21 to take on the Pittsburgh Power at 7:05 p.m. in The Graveyard.

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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 Louisiana Superdome. 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.
About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the AFL has afforded the fast-paced and exciting game of Arena Football to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The NFL Network will once again broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week for the entire regular and post season on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST, culminating with the ArenaBowl Championship Game in August.