VooDoo Make Trek to San Jose SaberCats on Saturday
July 5, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS (July 5, 2012) - The New Orleans VooDoo (8-7) take a three-game win streak westward to take on the San Jose SaberCats (10-6) this Saturday night at the HP Pavilion. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. CT with the game originating live on "Rush Radio" 99.5 FM WRNO.
The VooDoo have strung together three consecutive victories for the first time since 2008, including last week's 65-55 win over the Jacksonville Sharks that placed the VooDoo alone atop the South Division. With win this week and losses by Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Tampa Bay, the VooDoo would gain its first playoff berth since 2004
The SaberCats also have a similar scenario entering this week's game; with a win and losses by Chicago and Spokane, San Jose would earn a playoff berth. The SaberCats defeated Chicago, 75-61, last week to keep pace in the National Conference playoff hunt.
"This is a big game for us. I believe that we have caught some people by surprise, but we won't the rest of the season," said VooDoo Head Coach Pat O'Hara. "We have had a great week of practice and need to keep improving to get where we ultimately want to be."
In New Orleans' win over Jacksonville, quarterback Kurt Rocco tossed for 261 yards and 7 touchdowns while also rushing for a score as well. Rocco enters this week needing 100 yards passing and 8 passing touchdowns to set new VooDoo records in each category for a single season. Both marks are currently held by Andy Kelly set in 2005.
VooDoo defensive back Jeremy Kellem also etched his mark in the VooDoo record books last game by recording his ninth interception of the season to set a new benchmark for a rookie. Kellem surpassed the record held by Alvin Ray Jackson set in 2011. Jackson also set a new milestone for most career tackles, passing Chris Pointer on the all-time list. The Como, Miss. native now stands with 146.5.
"I am proud of our team for accomplishing so many things this season and setting new records, but we can't hang our hats on that. Our guys know there is a lot more at stake and a lot of football left," said O'Hara.
The SaberCats are led by future AFL Hall of Fame quarterback Mark Grieb, who has been under center for the SaberCats 10 of the 15 years the franchise has been in existence.
Grieb is second in the AFL in passing average (326.1 yards/game) and total offense (327.9 yards/game). Rocco trails him in both categories, ranking third in passing average (303.0 yards/game) and total offense (306.7 yards/game).
New Orleans holds the all-time advantage in the series, 3-1, with all wins for the VooDoo coming in The Graveyard. The last time the two teams met was in 2008 with the VooDoo winning 72-43. In the game, Grieb was intercepted three times by the VooDoo defense with two being returned for touchdowns.
Kickoff this Saturday night is set for 9:30 p.m. CT with the game airing live on "Rush Radio" 99.5 FM WRNO.
VooDoo on Television: None
VooDoo on the Radio: 99.5 FM WRNO "Rush Radio"
VooDoo Broadcast Team: Ken Trahan (play-by-play), Brandon Rizzuto (sideline)
VooDoo on the Internet: www.wrno.com
VooDoo live game feed: www.ustream.tv/AFLVooDoo
VooDoo live statistics: http://livestats.prestosports.com/neworleansvoodoo
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