VooDoo Look for Continued Success at Home as they Host Talons
June 19, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The VooDoo are going for their third straight home victory as the San Antonio Talons come to town on Saturday night.
After starting the season 1-8, the VooDoo (3-9) have won two of their last three and have played their best football in that span of time. San Antonio stands at 6-6 and is in a logjam in the Central Division. New Orleans last met San Antonio last season as the Talons left the Graveyard with a close victory. The teams also met in the 2013 preseason.
Quarterback Kurt Rocco has continued his solid play with another good performance last Saturday night. Rocco did throw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, but his performance helped him crack the AFL top ten in passing with 2,045 yards. Receiver Donovan Morgan caught two of Rocco's six touchdowns and eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark on the season. Morgan leads the team with 68 receptions for 1,021 yards and 21 touchdowns. Courtney Smith has also been a consistent target with 61 catches for 624 yards and has at least three catches in every game he has played in.
San Antonio has fielded multiple quarterbacks this season, but former LSU standout Rohan Davey got the start against Chicago last Saturday. Davey was 24-42 for 344 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions. The VooDoo will also face their former teammate Brent Holmes who led the Talons with 11 receptions. He also scored twice. Jomo Wilson leads all Talons receivers with 68 receptions for 951 yards and 20 touchdowns. Chad Cook also leads a solid rushing attack and is tied for eighth in the league with 132 yards.
Defensively, San Antonio defensive lineman Joe Sykes is second in the league with 10 sacks. The team has 28 total, and the VooDoo are not far behind at 20. Defensive lineman Marlon Favorite leads that category for the VooDoo with 5.5. Two of San Antonio's defensive backs are in the league top ten in interceptions, which has been an issue to look out for with the VooDoo. Fred Shaw is tied for sixth with seven picks, and Jamar Ransom is in a three-way tie with six. The VooDoo's Cameron McGlenn has been on a tear in the interceptions category, as he has four picks since joining New Orleans three weeks ago and leads all VooDoo defenders.
Both teams have solid return games, and both have put them to good use. VooDoo kick returner Quorey Payne is seventh in the league with 770 yards on 41 returns and two touchdowns. Talons kick returner Dwayne Eley leads the team with 522 yards, and D.J. Stephens has four touchdowns.
The VooDoo and the Talons are both fighting for playoff contention in their respective conferences. San Antonio still has a shot at their division, while the VooDoo are chasing down a possible wildcard. The teams are set to kick off in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome at 7:00 p.m. local time on Saturday.
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