Kurt Rocco Guides VooDoo to Second Ever Postseason Berth
July 25, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (July 25, 2012) - The New Orleans VooDoo endured a painful 2011 season, finishing with a league worst record of 3-15. Now, only one season later, they have earned the franchise's first playoff appearance since their inaugural season in 2004. One of the main factors in the team's drastic improvement has been the play of second year quarterback Kurt Rocco.
Rocco was assigned to the VooDoo October 5, 2011 after spending the 2011 season with the Cleveland Gladiators. In Cleveland, he began the 2011 season as a backup, but took over the starting role when John Dutton suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the team's very first game. The rest is history. Rocco went on to pass for 3,834 yards and 72 touchdowns and led the Gladiators to the American Conference Eastern Division title.
Rocco has continued to build on his success with the VooDoo in 2012. Through 18 regular season games, he has amassed 5,317 passing yards and 107 touchdown passes, becoming the first quarterback in team history to reach both the 5,000 yard and 100 touchdown milestones. He has also spread the wealth quite well, having three receivers record over 1,000 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns - the only team in the AFL to achieve that benchmark.
Rocco has not been one to claim all of the credit for the team's success this season, pointing out the VooDoo defense's contributions. "There's been a few games where defensively, they just played great, they saved us.They give us turnovers, they give us stops and opportunities for the offense to put points on the board"
Rocco has stated that he enjoys playing for head coach Pat O'Hara. "I love it. He's a player's coach.He's just a great overall guy. He really respects the player-coach bond and he helps out everybody."
He has enjoyed his time in New Orleans, and is appreciative of the fan support. "The people here are great" he says, "Everyone's friendly. All of the fans are just awesome. There are great people down here and the food is fantastic."
The Cincinnati, Ohio native will now take his breakout season to the No. 1 seeded Philadelphia Soul this Saturday night in hopes to keeping the VooDoo's season going.
"We know that there is a huge challenge ahead of us. Philly has a great team and a great fan base. We expect a hostile environment, and to have to overcome adversity in the game. Our team has a lot of great character and leaders, and they have really pushed us this week to prepare us mentally for this game," added Rocco.
The No. 4 VooDoo (8-10) and No. 1 Soul (15-3) play in the first round of the American Conference Playoffs with kickoff set for 6:05 p.m. CT in the Wells Fargo Center.
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Arena Football League Stories from July 25, 2012
- VooDoo Travel to Top-Seeded Soul on Saturday - New Orleans VooDoo
- Kurt Rocco Guides VooDoo to Second Ever Postseason Berth - New Orleans VooDoo
- 2012 Was a Season of Close Calls for Milwaukee - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Brown Named JLS Ironman of Week for Week 20 - Philadelphia Soul
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