VooDoo Topped by Talons

Sunday April 20, 2014

NEW ORLEANS (April 18, 2014) – The New Orleans VooDoo (1-4) fell hard to the San Antonio Talons (1-5) 68-33 Friday night in the Smoothie King Center.

The Talons took control of the game in the second half as they outscored the VooDoo 42-13. San Antonio also scored three touchdowns off of VooDoo turnovers. The first came from a VooDoo fumble on the second half kickoff. Talons defensive lineman Brandon Sesay recovered another fumble with 13:20 to go in the fourth quarter to score, and less than four minutes later, defensive back Kelvin Rodgers intercepted VooDoo quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and returned it 14 yards for the third defensive touchdown. The Talons totaled six takeaways in the game, while New Orleans forced one – an interception by defensive back Travis Coleman.

Kurt Rocco started the game under center for New Orleans, but he was injured after taking a sack late in the second quarter. Rocco would return to the game in the second half, but he was unable to finish. He finished the game 11-30 for 133 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Perrilloux stepped in and also threw a pair of touchdowns, but he also threw a pair of interceptions. Both quarterbacks were sacked twice.

Receiver L.J. Castile led the way for the VooDoo with six catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Newly acquired Dwayne Eley also grabbed six receptions and amassed 56 yards with a score.

San Antonio tallied only 33 offensive plays, but they outgained New Orleans in total offense with 236 yards to the VooDoo’s 156. Quarterback Shane Boyd completed just a shade over 50-percent of his passes (13-24) and tossed four touchdowns. No San Antonio receiver reached the 70-yard mark; receiver P.J. Berry led that category with four catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

The teams traded scores in the first quarter with Rocco finding Castile in the end zone for the game’s first score. The Talons answered as fullback Mykel Benson scored on a 9-yard run. Both Boyd and Rocco scored rushing touchdowns in the second quarter. Boyd connected with receiver D.J. Stephens twice for touchdowns, and Castile caught his second touchdown, a game-high 31-yard grab.

New Orleans embarks on a three-game road swing starting with South Division rival Orlando next Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. The VooDoo follow that with trips to Philadelphia and San Antonio, and the team returns home May 24 to face the Iowa Barnstormers at 7 p.m. Fans can watch all the games on ESPN3.com or listen on the radio at 99.5-FM.

Score by Quarters       1          2          3          4          TOTAL

San Antonio                6          20        14        28        68

New Orleans               6          14        7          6          33

Media Awards:

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – DB/SA Kelvin Rodgers (INT Return TD)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – DB/SA Kyle Whitehurst (2 INT, 5 Tackles)
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – DL/SA Brandon Sesay (2 Sacks, Fumble Recovery)
Cutters Catch of the Game – WR/NO L.J. Castile 31-yard TD reception
AFL Highlight of the Game – Rodgers 14-yard Pick-Six