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Storm fall to VooDoo, 48-42, in OT

February 26, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans VooDoo tackled David Saunders at the goal line on fourth down to keep the Storm out of the endzone and pick up a 48-42 overtime victory Friday night.

The win was the first overtime victory in New Orleans franchise history and allowed the VooDoo to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Storm dropped to 2-2 and 1-2 in the Southern Division.

New Orleans received the kickoff to start the overtime session and scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Andy Kelly to Jacques Rumph. Kicker Brian Schmitz, however, missed the extra point, giving the Storm the opportunity to win the game with a touchdown and extra point of their own.

The Storm eventually drove deep inside New Orleans territory and faced a 4th-and-goal play from the 18-yard line. Shane Stafford hit Saunders at the goal line and the Storm receiver stretched the ball toward the endzone, but the referees ruled that he did not cross the plane of the endzone, leaving the Storm inches short of the victory.

Stafford set Storm single game records for completions and attempts, going 32-for-54 for 274 yards and five touchdowns. For the third time in four games he did not throw an interception in the game.

Playing without the services of offensive specialist Freddie Solomon, Clif Dell filled in at the OS position and hauled in three touchdown receptions. He finished the game with eight catches fro 62 yards.

Saunders also had eight catches in the game for 79 yards and a touchdown. The Storm’s other touchdown pass went to Lawrence Samuels, who caught his 100th career touchdown in the loss.

The Storm jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the game. After the Tampa Bay defense forced the VooDoo to turn the ball over on downs on the initial possession of the contest, Stafford drove the Storm to the New Orleans two-yard line. The Storm offense could not punch the ball into the endzone, but kicker Matt George connected on a 17-yard field goal to put Tampa Bay on top 3-0 with 9:25 left in the first quarter.

Tampa Bay added to its lead after defensive specialist Tramain Jones recovered the ensuing kickoff at the New Orleans six-yard line. Two plays later Stafford hit Clif Dell with a three-yard touchdown pass to push the Tampa Bay lead to 10-0 with 8:09 left in the first quarter.

The VooDoo finally scored their first points on a one-yard run by Jacques Rumph. Brian Schmitz’s extra point cut the Tampa Bay lead to 10-7 with 5:19 left in the first quarter.

New Orleans then took its first lead of the game after Dell fumbled the ensuing kickoff. The ball was recovered at the Tampa Bay seven-yard line, and three plays later Andy Kelly and Aaron Bailey connected on a six-yard touchdown pass to put the VooDoo ahead 14-10 with 2:43 left in the first quarter.

The VooDoo extended their lead to 21-10 after George missed a 32-yard field goal and Bailey hauled in an eight-yard touchdown with 11:40 left in the second quarter.

The Storm finally ended the VooDoo’s streak of 21 unanswered points when Stafford found Dell on an eight-yard touchdown pass, pulling the Storm to within 21-17 with 6:19 left in the first half.

New Orleans had a chance to add to its lead in the final seconds of the first half, but with the ball at the Tampa Bay two-yard line and seven seconds left on the clock, David Saunders intercepted a Kelly pass in the endzone to turn back the VooDoo.

Tampa Bay regained the lead at the start of the third quarter. The Storm drove 46 yards on the initial possession of the second half. Stafford capped off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Lawrence Samuels. The touchdown, which marked Samuels’ 100th career touchdown reception, put the Storm ahead 24-21 with 9:41 left in the third quarter.

New Orleans went back on top following its first possession of the second half. Kelly hit Bailey on a 27-yard touchdown pass, putting the VooDoo back ahead 28-24 with 5:43 left in the third quarter.

Dell scored his third touchdown of the game, this one a three-yard grab, with 48 seconds left in the third quarter. George’s extra point put the Storm back on top, 31-28.

The Storm extended their lead to 34-28 with 7:28 left in the game on a 21-yard George field goal. The kick came after the Tampa Bay defense forced the VooDoo to turn the ball over on downs.

The VooDoo jumped back ahead when Rumph made a diving catch in the endzone. The 14-yard touchdown put the VooDoo ahead 35-34 with 4:02 remaining in the game.

Tampa Bay went on top 40-35 on a three-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Saunders. Stafford then found Dell in the back of the endzone on the two point conversion, giving Tampa Bay a 42-35 advantage with 1:00 left to play.

The VooDoo then tied the game on a three-yard touchdown run by LeRoy Thompson with 22 seconds left in regulation. The run capped off a six-play, 45-yard drive.

George missed on a 52-yard field goal attempt as time expired in regulation.

Kelly was 31-of-47 for 281 yards and five touchdowns. He also threw an interception in the game. His favorite target was Thabiti Davis, who had 11 catches for 97 yards. Rumph, the Offensive Player of the Game, had nine catches, including two touchdowns, for 97 yards.

New Orleans defensive specialist Chris Pointer was named the Defensive Player of the Game. VooDoo lineman BJ Cohen was the Ironman of the Game.

The Storm return to action on Sunday, March 6, when they take on the Grand Rapids Rampage at 1:00 pm at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tickets for the game are on sale now at the McDonalds Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum and all TicketMaster locations. Tickets are also available by calling (813) 301-6600 or online at ww.tampabaystorm.com.

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