Talons Hold off VooDoo in Closing Seconds
Sunday June 23, 2013
NEW ORLEANS (June 22, 2013) – The New Orleans VooDoo battled hard in the second half but were unable to complete the comeback as they fall to San Antonio 56-53 Saturday night in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Superdome crowd of 4,326 watched as the VooDoo suffered their tenth loss of the season to drop to 3-10 on the year. San Antonio improves to 7-6 as they held off a VooDoo rally in the second half.
The game began as both teams traded interceptions on their opening possessions. New Orleans defensive back Cameron McGlenn grabbed yet another interception as he picked off San Antonio quarterback Rohan Davey. Kurt Rocco’s interception bounced off the net and into the hands of defensive back Fred Shaw, who had two interceptions tonight. The Talons turned that into the first quarter’s only points as Davey found receiver Jomo Wilson for a 12-yard touchdown. Rocco and the VooDoo got deep into San Antonio territory helped by three Talons penalties that resulted in first downs, but Rocco threw his second interception.
The Talons moved down the field and scored on a 1-yard run by fullback Chad Cook. New Orleans answered as Rocco connected with receiver L.J. Castile, who stole the ball out of a defender’s hands for a touchdown. The Talons responded quickly as a big return from Wilson set up a 28-yard touchdown from Davey to Baker for a 21-6 advantage. On the VooDoo’s next possession, Rocco was intercepted once again. The Talons were unable to capitalize as they turned it over on downs. Backup quarterback Chris Dixon checked into the ballgame and lit it up with an 18-yard scamper on his first play. Dixon later ran it in for a score to cap off the drive to cut the lead to 21-13, but the Talons marched down the field once more after a solid kick return from Wilson. Xavier Lee scored on a 2-yard run to take a 28-13 lead into halftime.
New Orleans began the rally as kick returner Quorey Payne got the ball into San Antonio territory. Dixon rattled off a 12-yard run and later found receiver Donovan Morgan for a 4-yard touchdown. The VooDoo got the ball back as lineman Moqut Ruffins ran the ball fumbled the ball right into the hands of Demarcus Robinson. Dixon scampered for 21 yards and called his own number on a quick 4-yard score to pull within one point. Davey threw his second interception on the Talons’ next drive, and Dixon tossed another touchdown to Morgan for the VooDoo’s first lead, 34-28. San Antonio tied the game as Davey connected with Wilson three times, including a 6-yard score to start the fourth quarter. Wilson led the Talons with 12 catches for 121 yards.
The fourth quarter went back and forth as the lead changed hands six times. The teams scored on back to back kickoff returns for touchdowns: 58 yards by Payne for New Orleans and 56 yards by former VooDoo kick returner Brent Holmes for San Antonio. After a touchback on the next kickoff, Dixon got the VooDoo downfield and threw a 10-yard touchdown to Courtney Smith. Davey and the Talons answered with a methodical drive that ended in a 1-yard run by Davey for a score. Davey was workmanlike in leading the Talons as he finished 26-42 for 254 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Dixon needed only one pass to take the lead once more as he hurled one to Morgan for 45 yards to make it 53-48 after a missed 2-point try. Morgan rebounded after a down week to finish with 116 yards on six catches. New Orleans tried an onside kick but failed to recover. Fullback Chad Cook put the Talons up for good as he scored from 15 yards out. Davey added a 2-point conversion on a toss to Dallas Baker.
The VooDoo had one last shot, trailing by three. Dixon finished a solid night 10-15 for 151 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried the ball nine times for 59 yards. Dixon threw two quick strikes to Smith and Payne plus another short gainer to Payne, but his last pass fell incomplete in the game’s final seconds.
The VooDoo began the home stretch of the season with three straight road games coming up. Next week’s game is in Pittsburgh, where New Orleans will take on the Power next Saturday. The VooDoo’s final home game is on July 20 against the Jacksonville Sharks.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 TOTAL
San Antonio 7 21 0 28 56
New Orleans 0 13 21 19 53
Media Awards:
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – WR Jomo Wilson (SA)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – DB Fred Shaw (SA)
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – QB Rohan Davey (SA)
Cutters Catch of the Game – WR Donovan Morgan (NO): One-Handed TD Catch
AFL Highlight of the Game – KR Brent Holmes (SA): 56-yard kick return TD
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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.
