Undefeated VooDoo To Host Undefeated Iowa Barnstormers
March 27, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (March 27, 2013) - The Iowa Barnstormers (1-0) travel to New Orleans to take on the VooDoo (1-0) this Saturday night at the New Orleans Arena.
The Barnstormers, which is a name taken from stunt pilots who used to showcase their skills all over rural areas, and the VooDoo meet for the first time in their history and will look to build on their successes from last week.
Iowa quarterback J.J. Raternick was brilliant in the team's 63-41 victory over the Chicago Rush last Sunday. Raternick completed 22-30 passes for 257 yards and boasted a 138.47 passer rating. Raternick's seven touchdowns are good enough for a three-way tie for second place in the league with Arizona's Nick Davila and Jacksonville's Bernard Morris.
New Orleans quarterback Kurt Rocco will have to be more efficient passing the ball to be able to match up with Iowa's quarterback. Rocco completed only 18-40 passes for three touchdowns and threw an interception, but he made good throws in clutch situations including the game-winning touchdown in the VooDoo's 51-45 overtime victory against the Orlando Predators last Sunday. Rocco also did a good job of spreading the ball around more than Raternick, as five VooDoo receivers recorded receptions to the Barnstormers' three.
Both teams match up relatively even offensively. Iowa has only a slight advantage in yards of total offense with 259 to New Orleans' 231. Both teams were 6-6 in red zone scoring. New Orleans was a perfect 3-3 on fourth down conversions; Iowa had zero attempts on fourth down.
Defensively, Iowa will have their hands full as they go up against the league-leading tackler, VooDoo defensive back Demarcus Robinson, who has 11 tackles on the season. The VooDoo defensive unit also collected two interceptions - a pick-six by DB Efe Osawemwenze and a game-sealing pick in the overtime period from DB Eddie Moten. The Barnstormers also had two interceptions of their own, one from DB De'mon Glanton and one from Ter'ran Benton, so both quarterbacks will need to be alert to the opposing defense in this matchup.
New Orleans looks to start 2-0 for the first time since their inaugural season in 2004. Iowa last started 2-0 in 2009. This battle of undefeated teams will be broadcast live on the CBS Sports Network at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
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