VooDoo Fall to San Antonio Talons on Friday Night
April 13, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo once again fell victim to an Aaron Garcia led team, this time falling to the San Antonio Talons 62-48 on Friday night in the Alamodome.
Garcia, who swept the VooDoo last season while quarterbacking the Jacksonville Sharks, tossed for 287 yards and 9 touchdowns while also completing 26-of-32 passes on Friday night. He also had 2 interceptions.
"We played hard tonight, but suffered a tough loss," said VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara. "As a team, we didn't play well in the second half and put ourselves in some tough situations and the final outcome was a product of that."
"We will watch film and learn from this. We are still growing and learning together as a team, and we will pick ourselves up and move forward."
VooDoo quarterback Kurt Rocco was under the 300-yard mark passing for the first time this season, finishing with 278 yards and 5 touchdowns. He completed 21-of-41 passes and only tossed one interception. Rocco's leading target was L.J. Castile who had a stellar game with 12 receptions for 131 yards and four touchdowns - all new personal bests.
The VooDoo went into the locker room at halftime nursing a 28-19 lead courtesy of a strong defensive effort that included forcing three turnovers that led to 14 points with 6 of them coming off of a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jorrick Calvin.
Leading the VooDoo defense was Jeremy Kellem with 7.5 total tackles (7 solo) an interception and 2 pass break ups. The interception, which came on the Talons first offensive play of the game, marked Kellem's fourth consecutive game with an interception and fifth with a takeaway.
"Our defense kept us in the game in the first half and we knew that [San Antonio] were going to not go down without a fight. They are well coached and have a great offense," said O'Hara.
The Talons did come out swinging in the second half and took the lead, 33-28, on a Garcia to Sale Key 5-yard scoring strike early on in the third quarter. The VooDoo matched the Talons score for score until a crucial official's overturn of a Castile touchdown reception on fourth down in the fourth quarter, giving the Talons the ball on their own 19.
After a pass interference call against the VooDoo, Garcia found Robert Quiroga for the 16-yard kill shot, putting San Antonio up 54-42 after the extra point. The VooDoo followed with a score, but could not overcome its second half miscues and misfortunes to make a valiant comeback.
New Orleans hosts the Pittsburgh Power next week in The Graveryard on Friday, April 20. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Arena Football League Stories from April 13, 2012
- Utah Defeats Arenabowl Champs in Offensive Shootout - Utah Blaze
- VooDoo Fall to San Antonio Talons on Friday Night - New Orleans VooDoo
- Sharks Defeated in See-Saw Tilt, 75-67 - Jacksonville Sharks
- Gladiators Fall in Tampa - Cleveland Gladiators
- Wasil Carries Storm To 69-48 Victory Over Cleveland - Tampa Bay Storm
- Soul Battle SaberCats for AFL Dominance - Philadelphia Soul
- Talons's Garcia Named Week 6 National Guard Community MVP - AFL
- Predators Sign WR Bobby Sippio - Orlando Predators
- Tonight's Game - What You Need to Know - Jacksonville Sharks
- Kurt Rocco's Serious Approach, Work Ethic Pace New Orleans - New Orleans VooDoo
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