VooDoo Host Three Time Defending Champion Rattlers

Friday May 8, 2015

SMOOTHIE KING CENTER | 7:00 PM
TV: NONE | RADIO: FOX SPORTS 1280 AM
WATCH LIVE (ESPN3)

THE MATCHUP: ARIZONA RATTLERS (4-2)
Three-time defending ArenaBowl Champion Arizona Rattlers visit New Orleans this week for just the third meeting between the two squads in the Big Easy. Like the VooDoo, Arizona comes in with a key injury at quarterback with Nick Davila placing him on injured reserve late last week. Ranked both fifth in scoring offense and defense in the league, the Rattlers present a big test for the young VooDoo. Offensively wide receiver Rod Winsor has proven to be one of the most difficult covers in the league over the past few seasons, catching 630 balls for 7,535 yards and 182 touchdowns since 2010. Windsor was the ArenaBowl XXVI offensive MVP (10 rec. 145 yards, 2 TD), and set AFL records for receptions (193), yards (2,372) and touchdowns (47) by a rookie. On defense, Arizona has talent all around, including former All-Arena linemen Cliff Dukes (9 sacks in 15), and Arizona all-time sack leader Anttaj Hawthorne (27). As talented in the secondary as up front, defensive back Marques Floyd had 13 interceptions last season, while Jeremy Kellum led the team with 26 pass breakups. in 2014

FRANCHISE RECORD FALLS
Roosevelt Falls has been the true definition of Iron Man this season. Normally the starting MLB, over the past two weeks Falls has started taking handoffs inside the "redzone." Last week Falls set career highs in carries (11), rushing yards (40) and shattered the VooDoo franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a game by punching the ball over the line on five separate occasions. Five rushing touchdowns in a game ties Falls among a handful of players all-time in league history, a feat last accomplished in 2013 by former New Orleans Saint Adrian McPhearson.

COLLECTED UNDERSTUDY
Brian Reader knows a thing or two about being the backup quarterback, after spending time fighting for starting spots in both Iowa (AFL) and Idaho (NCAA). Last week following an injury to starting quarterback Adam Kennedy, Reader started his opening dive with his heels inside his own endzone. Four passes later, Reader found Chris Duvalt for a 23 yard score. Reader would finish the day 15-of-26 for 206 yards and three touchdowns in his most significant action since last July.

BALL HAWKING BATMAN
Tracy Belton has come big as of late. "Batman" has swatted away 9 passes this season as well as intercepted 3 passes. Both numbers tie him for second in the league in each category. Belton also leads the VooDoo in tackles with 31.5, and ranks 15th in the AFL there, just ahead of fellow defensive back Cortez Stubbs (26.0). Belton's 71 INT return yards rank first in the AFL, following his 51 yard return for a score last week against Spokane.

WALK OFF WINNER
Former Arizona Rattler (2012 ArenaBowl Champion & AFL Kicker of the Year) Garrett Lindholm continued his strong season in New Orleans, drilling a league-long 41 yard field goal as time expired last week, giving the VooDoo a 66-63 victory and earning "AFL Highlight of the Week" status. This season Lindholm is 5-for-9 this season, and owns three of the top four longest made kicks in the league, connecting from 41, 35 and 28. His five made field goals are also a league high, and he successfully recovered an onside kick against Spokane two weeks ago.

ARIZONA UNDEFEATED IN THE CRESCENT CITY
Though they have only traveled to "The Graveyard" three times previously, the Rattlers actually have four wins at the Smoothie King Center. Arizona won the first of their three consecutive championships at the then New Orleans Arena, defeating current VooDoo division foe Philadelphia by a score of 72-54 on August 10 2012. Nine players have remained constant on the Rattler's roster since that game (Brown, Davila, Dukes, Floyd, Glasper, Hawthorne, Pittman, Reed, and Windsor), while both Markee White and Fabrizio Scaccia left the team since then, but have returned this season.

ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS VOODOO
Playing their fifth season since returning in 2011, the New Orleans VooDoo play all their home games at the Smoothie King Center (formerly New Orleans Arena). Season and single game tickets can be purchased by contacting the sales department at 888-277-5526 ext. 109 or ext. 133 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Like us on Facebook at “New Orleans VooDoo” and follow us on Twitter @AFLVooDoo.

ABOUT THE AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The ESPN family of networks and CBS Sports Network will nationally broadcast AFL games each week for the entire 2015 season. The AFL schedule culminates with ArenaBowl XXVIII Saturday, August 29, 2015 on ESPN.