VooDoo Blow Away Storm in Home Finale

Sunday July 19, 2015

 NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo (3-12) overcame a 14-0 deficit in the first quarter and used critical defensive stops in the second and third quarters to finish off their final home game with a 65-53 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm (6-9) at the Graveyard Saturday night in front of a season-high crowd of 5,888.

With the Storm threatening inside the VooDoo 5-yard line, defensive back Cortez Stubbs broke up a Jason Boltus pass in the end zone with 0:04 remaining in the first half to keep Tampa Bay's lead at 28-24.

The VooDoo took its first lead of the game on their first drive in the third quarter as quarterback Adam Kennedyconnected with receiver Roger Jackson on a 35-yard touchdown to make the score 30-28. The VooDoo took over again as they halted the Storm's ensuing possession. Facing fourth down and 11 to go, New Orleans increased its lead as Kennedy completed a touchdown pass to receiver Johnny Lester for a 37-28 lead.

VooDoo special teams made up for its first quarter fumble with a takeaway on the Storm's next kick return. New Orleans turned that drive into a touchdown as Kennedy scored on the quarterback keeper to increase the lead to 44-28 and adding to its total of 27 unanswered points.

Tampa Bay finally broke through on the last possession of the third quarter as Boltus connected with receiver Julius Gregory for a 14-yard score with 30 seconds remaining in the period to make the score 44-35.

The VooDoo continued to answer each Storm scoring drive to keep control of the game and the lead in the fourth quarter. New Orleans snaps an eight game losing streak, while Tampa Bay loses its third straight.

Receiver Chris Duvault reached a major milestone as he broke 100 receptions in the 2015 season, and defensive back Cameron McGlenn recorded his 207th career tackle for a VooDoo all-time record.

The VooDoo travel to Philadelphia on August 2nd to take on the playoff-bound Soul. Live streaming of the game is available on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN mobile app. Kickoff for that game is set for 3:00 p.m.

MEDIA AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game - WR Roger Jackson NO: 4 rec, 123 yards, 3 TD
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game - DB Cortez Stubbs NO: 14 tackles, 3 pass breakups, fumble return
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game - QB Adam Kennedy NO: 12-19, 241 yards, 5 TD; 6 rush, 21 yards, 2 TD
Cutters Catch of the Game - WR Julius Gregory TB: 41-yard diving TD catch on the game's first play from scrimmage
AFL Highlight of the Game - Jackson 35-yard TD reception for 30-28 lead in third quarter