VooDoo and Predators Set for Net10 NFL Network Game of the Week
May 17, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (May 17, 2012) - The New Orleans VooDoo (3-5) will look to get back into the win column against the Orlando Predators (1-7) this Friday night in The Graveyard for the NET10 NFL Network Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
This game marks the first of back-to-back games in The Graveyard for the VooDoo with next week's contest coming against the Arizona Rattlers (6-3). This week's game is also the first time VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara will be going up against his former team, a franchise he spent the past two seasons as a head coach and six years as a player.
"I don't get caught up in all of that," said O'Hara about the game. "This is an important division game for us and I am more focused on our team and how we perform. Plus, we are on NFL Network again, so it is another chance to showcase our team to the nation."
The VooDoo is coming off a 68-62 overtime loss last week at the Spokane Shock. In the game, VooDoo QB Kurt Rocco became the franchise's first passer to throw for over 400 yards in a game with 402 in the loss. Rocco enters this week's game averaging 311.2 passing yards a game, ranking second in the AFL.
New Orleans also showcases one of the League's best defenses by leading the AFL in turnover margin (+12) and red zone defense. The Predators enter this week's contest sporting the AFL's last ranked pass offense, averaging 216.6 yards per game.
However, the Predators struggle in the passing game is countered with the team's strong defense that ranks fifth in the AFL, only yielding 270.9 yards per game to opposing offenses. Orlando lost 55-31 to the Tampa Bay Storm last time out on the turf, and was idle last week.
"They are a solid team and their record is a bit deceiving," added O'Hara about Orlando. "The South Division is such a wild division that anything is possible. I fully expect a hard-fought game on both sides Friday night."
Orlando leads the series 7-3 with all three New Orleans wins coming in The Graveyard. Last season, the Predators swept the season series en route to a post-season berth.
Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m.
Arena Football League Stories from May 17, 2012
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- Defensive battle to take place in the Steel City - Kansas City Command
- Top 25 Players in AFL History: #15 Dwayne Dixon - AFL
- SaberCats Look to Win Fifth Straight on Saturday in San Antonio - San Jose SaberCats
- Beyond the Gridiron with WR/DB Mark Jones - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul Start Two-Game Road Trip In Spokane - Philadelphia Soul
- Spokane's Sanders Voted Week 10 National Guard MVP - AFL
- VooDoo and Predators Set for Net10 NFL Network Game of the Week - New Orleans VooDoo
- Orlando Predators to Start Chris Leak at Quarterback in Friday's Game - Orlando Predators
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