VooDoo Get Strong Second Half Play In Win Over Kansas City Command
Published on May 7, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo (2-6) used a 21-point fourth quarter and two key defensive stops late in the game to secure a 59-52 victory over the Kansas City Command (2-7) on Saturday night in the Sprint Center with 4,422 patrons in attendance.
The 59 points scored in the win were a season-high, while the halftime lead - 31-28 - was the first time this season that the VooDoo led at the mid-way mark.
"This is a great win for us as a team," said head football coach Derek Stingley. "We made some mistakes early on that allowed [Kansas City] them to get back into the game, but the team battled through. I'm proud of them. It was definitely a hard-fought victory."
With the game tied 45-45 mid-way thru the fourth quarter, the VooDoo got a key turnover by the Command with quarterback J.J. Raterink throwing into zone coverage, and VooDoo defensive back Matt Jackson tipped the pass up to the accepting hands of fellow defensive back Jerron Wishom, who took the interception 54 yards for a score.
The touchdown gave the VooDoo the 52-45 lead after a successful point-after-attempt by Jonathan Ruffin with 8:33 left in the contest. Kansas City and New Orleans went on to trade scores, still giving the VooDoo the advantage - 59-52 - with under three minutes left in the game.
Kansas City would drive the length of the field after the New Orleans touchdown, but it would be the VooDoo defense coming up with the big play in the closing seconds, as Wishom broke up a 4th-and-Goal pass attempt to turn the ball over on downs. New Orleans retained possession with 11 seconds left, and would go on to win.
The VooDoo were led by quarterback Chris Wallace on offense, completing 20-of-32 pass attempts for four scores and one interception. Wallace led the team in rushing with six carries for 32 yards, while his favorite receiving target was wide receiver James Jordan, who had eight receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Jordan had touchdown receptions of 45 and 31 yards in the victory.
Leading the defensive charge for the VooDoo was Wishom with his interception return for a touchdown, along with the key pass breakup with 11 seconds left in regulation. Wishom had four total stops (three solo) two go along with two passes defended.
Jackson led the team in total tackles with 8.5 (eight solo) and one interception.
The VooDoo will return home with the first of back-to-back games in The Graveyard with the first coming next Friday against the Tulsa Talons. The game will be the NFL Network game of the week.
Arena Football League Stories from May 7, 2011
- Spokane comes up short in Pittsburgh - Spokane Shock
- VooDoo Get Strong Second Half Play In Win Over Kansas City Command - New Orleans VooDoo
- Turnovers Lead to Chicago's Second-Straight Divisional Loss - Chicago Rush
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