Predators Put VooDoo, Division Away in OT
Sunday July 20, 2014
NEW ORLEANS (July 19, 2014) – The New Orleans VooDoo (3-14) used some fourth quarter magic and Orlando miscues to their advantage, but an interception return for a touchdown gave the Predators (10-7) a 70-64 win in overtime Saturday night as well as the South Division crown.
Despite the loss, receiver/kick returner Larry Beavers etched his name into the VooDoo record books as he eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark in all-purpose yards this season. Beavers finished the night with 132 yards receiving and 130 kick return yards to put him at 2,116 all purpose yards yards this season. He is now fourth all-time in VooDoo history. Beavers also scored five touchdowns tonight, including an electrifying 57-yard kick return.
Quarterback Adam Kennedy was efficient, completing 29-35 for 308 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added a 1-yard run to open the second quarter. Four of his passing touchdowns went to Beavers, and the other three went to Courtney Smith, Carlese Franklin, and Antonio Robinson.
The Predators used two 21-point quarters and a pick-six by Greg Carr in overtime to put them over the top. Orlando also had to overcome 16 penalties, two of which led to player ejections. Quarterback Bernard Morris’s numbers were nearly identical to Kennedy’s. Morris was 27-35 for 290 yards and six touchdowns, but the difference was his three rushing touchdowns. Kendal Thompkins was the leading receiver with eight catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
This game was a mixed bag of everything as both teams traded everything from scores to interceptions to missed extra point returns for two-points. Defensive back Cameron McGlenn picked off Morris and returned it 21 yards, while Carr’s pick went 48 yards to seal it. Both teams also had blocked extra points go the other way for two points. The VooDoo’s Travis Coleman accomplished that feat in the third quarter after Mike Alston blocked Mark Lewis’s PAT, but Orlando’s Ko Quaye returned the favor later in the period.
New Orleans will finish the 2014 season at home as San Antonio comes to the Smoothie King Center next Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 OT TOTAL
Orlando 14 21 8 21 6 70
New Orleans 6 20 15 23 0 64
Media Awards:
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – QB Bernard Morris (ORL)
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – DB Greg Carr (ORL)
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – WR Larry Beavers (NO)
Cutters Catch of the Game – WR Terrence Campbell TD (ORL)
AFL Highlight of the Game – Beavers 57-yard kick return TD
