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Storm Run Over VooDoo 66-43

April 7, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Tampa Bay Storm News Release


Tampa - Fullback Torrance Marshall rushed for three touchdowns and the Tampa Bay Storm defense came up with six turnovers as the Storm defeated the New Orleans Voodoo 66-43 in front of 16,644 fans at the St. Pete Times Forum. The Storm defense harassed the VooDoo quarterbacks all night as it knocked starting quarterback Andy Kelly out of the game on the seventh play and forced back-up Steve Bellisari into four interceptions.

Marshall finished the game with 37 yards on 13 carries; however, Offensive Player of the Game honors went to Storm quarterback Stoney Case as he led an efficient offense. Case completed 19 of 23 passes for 197 yards and three touchdowns; he added another score on a one-yard scamper into the endzone. John Kaleo came in and threw a touchdown to receiver T.T. Toliver late in the fourth quarter after Case suffered and injury. The extent of his injury is not severe.

Bellisari played tough stepping in for Kelly as the Tampa Bay defensive line was in his face the entire evening. He finished the game 25 of 44 for 277 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. His favorite target of the night was Jacques Rumph who saw his first action of the season after spending the first five weeks on injured reserve. Rumph caught eight passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns.

The first quarter ended with the Storm up 14-13, as VooDoo kicker Eric Houle missed the first of two extra points on the evening after New Orleans's opening drive. Terrill Shaw caught a 31-yard touchdown pass, the 125 of his career, to put the Storm up by one. Defensive lineman Tom Briggs recorded his fourth sack of the season and forced a fumble as each team trade fumbles to end the first. Briggs' forced fumble was the 18th of his career and moved him into a tie with Jeroid Johnson for the sixth most all-time in the Arena Football League.

ADT Defensive Player of the Game Nyle Wiren dominated the second quarter as he picked of Bellisari on consecutive drives catapulting the Storm to a 42-20 lead at the half. Tampa Bay scored on rushing touchdowns from Marshall and Case after each interception. The VooDoo responded as Bellisari found Rumph for a 39-yard touchdown reception to bring the score to 28-20. Case connected with Ironman of the Game Lawrence Samuels on the following drive as Samuels fought his way to a 16-yard touchdown reception. Once again the Storm defense stepped up as they forced the VooDoo to turn the ball over on downs. Two plays later Case found Shaw open in the endzone for his second touchdown reception of the game. Houle looked to redeem himself as he hit a 42-yard field to end the half 42-23.

Each team mustered only one score in a third quarter dominated by defense. Tampa Bay opened the half and drove to the New Orleans 13-yard line only to lose a snap recovered by New Orleans defensive lineman Melvin Williams. However, Storm cornerback Khalid Naziruddin intercepted a Bellisari pass and returned it 24 yards to the VooDoo 22. That was the first interception of his career as Naziruddin led the team with 11.5 tackles and numerous vicious hits. Yet the Storm were not able to capitalize as the VooDoo stood strong and forced a four and out. Not to be outdone, the Storm defense responded as Jeroid Johnson recorded the 31st interception of his career returning it 45-yards for a touchdown, the lone Storm points of the quarter. Receiver James Jordan caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Bellisari to bring the VooDoo with in 20 as the teams entered the fourth quarter with the Storm up 49-29.

Kicker Seth Marler, perfect on the evening, opened the fourth quarter with a 19-yard field to increase the Storm lead to 23 points. Marler finished the evening 9-of-9 on PATs and 1-of-1 on field goals. The VooDoo and Storm traded scores to put the score at 59-36 with just under 12 minutes remaining in the game. New Orleans drove the ball to the Tampa Bay three-yard line before lineman Marcus Owen recovered his own forced fumble and returned it 26 yards. Case injured his shoulder three plays later and Kaleo came in and threw two quick strikes to T.T. Toliver covering 31 yards resulting in a four-yard touchdown. Toliver has scored a touchdown in 21 of his last 22 games. Bellisari threw his sixth touchdown of the night to receiver Tremaine Neal from two yards out to make the final score 66-43.

The New Orleans VooDoo (3-3) host on the San Jose SaberCats (3-2) Friday, April 13, 8:00 EST at New Orleans Arena. The Tampa Bay Storm (1-5) visit the Orlando Predators Saturday, April 14, 7:30 (EST) at the Ginn Arena. Catch 47 will televise the game and 620 WDAE will broadcast the game live. For tickets call 813.301.6780 or visit www.tampabaystorm.com.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 7, 2007


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