VooDoo vs. Blaze - Game Preview
July 5, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
The New Orleans VooDoo continue their three-game road trip as they travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Blaze.
New Orleans (4-10) is still in the playoff hunt in the American Conference thanks to their victory in Pittsburgh a week ago and were also helped by an Orlando loss. Utah (5-9) will be playing the role of spoiler as they are in last place in the National Conference. The teams last met March 31, 2012 as the VooDoo knocked off the Blaze 72-56 in Salt Lake City.
After a rough outing against San Antonio two weeks ago, quarterback Kurt Rocco returned to form in Pittsburgh. Rocco threw for 201 yards and five touchdowns. He now has 2,307 yards and 49 touchdowns this season. With leading receiver Donovan Morgan hobbled during last week's game, Rocco relied on former Blaze receiver L.J. Castile who broke out with seven catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns, all season highs. The versatile Quorey Payne only had three receptions, but all three resulted in scores. If Morgan can't go, Payne and Castile could factor in as well as second-leading receiver Courtney Smith. Quarterback Chris Dixon is also a threat with his legs as he leads the team in rushing.
Tommy Grady leads the Blaze at quarterback and is eighth in the league with 2,951 yards. Grady has 56 touchdowns, but he also leads the league with 25 interceptions. Utah fields the league's fourth-ranked receiver in Mario Urrutia, who has 122 receptions for 1,488 yards and 34 touchdowns. Urritia has 20 catches in his last two games. Receivers Chase Deadder and Anthony Jackson also had nice games and combined for 15 catches last week against San Jose. Ben Stallings has also been a consistent rusher as he has 117 yards this season.
Defensively, Utah lineman Caesar Rayford is tied for ninth in the league with six sacks. He's also forced a team high four fumbles. Blaze defensive back David Hyland is tied for eighth in the league with 6 interceptions. The VooDoo are led by DB Cameron McGlenn, who has a team high five interceptions for 100 yards. VooDoo defensive lineman Marlon Favorite shares Rayford's six sack total. Favorite also has nine tackles for loss.
On special teams, Payne has also been a consistent threat. Payne returned a missed field goal for a touchdown last week in Pittsburgh. He also had his fifth triple-digit yardage total in the kick return game and has 1,047 yards (4th in AFL). Hyland, the Blaze's return man, is ranked one spot behind Payne with 923 yards but did not play last week.
New Orleans will hope to add to their momentum with another road victory, while also staying alive in the playoff hunt. Utah is coming into this game on a two-game skid and is hoping to reverse that trend this weekend at home. The teams will square off Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Utah time in the EnergySolutions Arena. VooDoo fans can catch the game on 99.5 FM Rush Radio starting at 9:00 p.m. Central!
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