Home Woes Continue for VooDoo, Fall to Mustangs on Friday Night
March 24, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo fell 65-42 to the Milwaukee Mustangs in The Graveyard on Friday night, extending the team's home losing streak to 12 games in light of 15 penalties and three turnovers.
"We had fifteen penalties, which puts us in a difficult situation to win a game," said VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara. "We had our opportunity to win, but unfortunately it's like we took one step back."
The 15 penalties racked up a total of 96 yards - the opposite of last weekend's game when the VooDoo were only penalized twice.
The VooDoo (0-2) were the first ones to come up with points in the first quarter when wide receiver Josh Bush caught a 14-yard pass from quarterback Kurt Rocco. Rocco checked out of the first half with 3 passing touchdowns, finishing the game 27-of-40 for 343 yards with 5 touchdowns and two interceptions. Bush went on to finish the game with 194 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
With wide receiver Quorey Payne inactive, Greg Ellingson stepped up with 10 receptions for 142 yards and two receiving touchdowns. It was Ellingson's best day as a professional athlete.
"That was a bright spot," said O'Hara about Ellingson. "We have to get better overall, though. As a team, we took a step back today, which is not something I expected."
The third quarter offense got the VooDoo within a touchdown behind the Mustangs when Josh Bush would score again on a 2-yard end-around run. The VooDoo would then complete an extra 2-point conversion attempt succeeded by Greg Ellingson to tie the game at 28. The Mustangs offense would quickly come back with under five minutes remaining in the quarter when Gino Guidugli found Jonathan Wilson for a 19-yard touchdown strike.
A crucial turning point in the game was when the VooDoo was charged with an illegal defense penalty on 3rd-and-long, leading to a first down and, ultimately, a Milwaukee score on the ensuing play. The VooDoo wouldn't see a lead or tie from that moment on.
"I can't really describe what happened. We just had too many motion penalties. We have to stay more consistent on offense," quarterback Kurt Rocco explained. "I take blame for that as the quarterback. It is my job to be in sync with our receivers."
"This one really hurts. It's hard to explain because I really wanted it. It's like we took a step back this week. It really hurts," said jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson.
The team will travel next week to Salt Lake City, Utah to take on the Utah Blaze. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. locally.
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Arena Football League Stories from March 24, 2012
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- Georgia Force Destroy the Sharks 69-41 in Jacksonville - Georgia Force
- Home Woes Continue for VooDoo, Fall to Mustangs on Friday Night - New Orleans VooDoo
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