Talons Hold off VooDoo in Closing Seconds

June 23, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release


NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo battled hard in the second half but were unable to complete the comeback as they fall to San Antonio 56-53 Saturday night in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Superdome crowd of 4,326 watched as the VooDoo suffered their tenth loss of the season to drop to 3-10 on the year. San Antonio improves to 7-6 as they held off a VooDoo rally in the second half.

The game began as both teams traded interceptions on their opening possessions. New Orleans defensive back Cameron McGlenn grabbed yet another interception as he picked off San Antonio quarterback Rohan Davey. Kurt Rocco's interception bounced off the net and into the hands of defensive back Fred Shaw, who had two interceptions tonight. The Talons turned that into the first quarter's only points as Davey found receiver Jomo Wilson for a 12-yard touchdown. Rocco and the VooDoo got deep into San Antonio territory helped by three Talons penalties that resulted in first downs, but Rocco threw his second interception.

The Talons moved down the field and scored on a 1-yard run by fullback Chad Cook. New Orleans answered as Rocco connected with receiver L.J. Castile, who stole the ball out of a defender's hands for a touchdown. The Talons responded quickly as a big return from Wilson set up a 28-yard touchdown from Davey to Baker for a 21-6 advantage. On the VooDoo's next possession, Rocco was intercepted once again. The Talons were unable to capitalize as they turned it over on downs. Backup quarterback Chris Dixon checked into the ballgame and lit it up with an 18-yard scamper on his first play. Dixon later ran it in for a score to cap off the drive to cut the lead to 21-13, but the Talons marched down the field once more after a solid kick return from Wilson. Xavier Lee scored on a 2-yard run to take a 28-13 lead into halftime. New Orleans began the rally as kick returner Quorey Payne got the ball into San Antonio territory. Dixon rattled off a 12-yard run and later found receiver Donovan Morgan for a 4-yard touchdown. The VooDoo got the ball back as lineman Moqut Ruffins ran the ball fumbled the ball right into the hands of Demarcus Robinson. Dixon scampered for 21 yards and called his own number on a quick 4-yard score to pull within one point. Davey threw his second interception on the Talons' next drive, and Dixon tossed another touchdown to Morgan for the VooDoo's first lead, 34-28. San Antonio tied the game as Davey connected with Wilson three times, including a 6-yard score to start the fourth quarter. Wilson led the Talons with 12 catches for 121 yards.

The fourth quarter went back and forth as the lead changed hands six times. The teams scored on back to back kickoff returns for touchdowns: 58 yards by Payne for New Orleans and 56 yards by former VooDoo kick returner Brent Holmes for San Antonio. After a touchback on the next kickoff, Dixon got the VooDoo downfield and threw a 10-yard touchdown to Courtney Smith. Davey and the Talons answered with a methodical drive that ended in a 1-yard run by Davey for a score. Davey was workmanlike in leading the Talons as he finished 26-42 for 254 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Dixon needed only one pass to take the lead once more as he hurled one to Morgan for 45 yards to make it 53-48 after a missed 2-point try. Morgan rebounded after a down week to finish with 116 yards on six catches. New Orleans tried an onside kick but failed to recover. Fullback Chad Cook put the Talons up for good as he scored from 15 yards out. Davey added a 2-point conversion on a toss to Dallas Baker.

The VooDoo had one last shot, trailing by three. Dixon finished a solid night 10-15 for 151 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried the ball nine times for 59 yards. Dixon threw two quick strikes to Smith and Payne plus another short gainer to Payne, but his last pass fell incomplete in the game's final seconds.

The VooDoo began the home stretch of the season with three straight road games coming up. Next week's game is in Pittsburgh, where New Orleans will take on the Power next Saturday. The VooDoo's final home game is on July 20 against the Jacksonville Sharks.



Arena Football League Stories from June 23, 2013


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