VooDoo vs. Soul - Game Preview
June 5, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
New Orleans VooDoo News Release
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans VooDoo travel to Philadelphia this weekend to take on the Soul in search of their first win on the road in 2013.
The VooDoo (2-8) notched their second win in last Saturday's rout of Cleveland in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The teams last met in the 2012 American Conference Playoffs, where Philadelphia eliminated the VooDoo with a 66-53 win. New Orleans played its most complete game of the season against the Gladiators last weekend behind the arm of quarterback Kurt Rocco, who was stellar in the victory. Rocco tied a season high with seven touchdowns, and he set season marks in completion percentage (71.0) and passer rating (134.41). This was also his first game without an interception. Rocco has developed a great rapport with receiver, and former Soul member, Donovan Morgan, who had his third straight triple-digit receiving yardage total. He leads VooDoo receivers with 54 receptions for 775 yards and 17 touchdowns. Receiver Courtney Smith has also been productive with 51 catches for 534 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Philadelphia is 5-5 on the season, but four of their losses have been decided by seven points or less, so they are a tough team to beat. Quarterback Dan Raudabaugh is third in the league in passing with 2,845 yards and 55 touchdowns. He's thrown only nine interceptions. Raudabaugh has the league's second-leading receiver in Anthony Jones who has 1,306 yards and 24 touchdowns on 87 catches. Fellow receivers Ryan McDaniel and Andrae Thurman have both been solid as well as both of them are closing in on 600 yards. The Soul also like to run the ball as fullback Derrick Ross is second in the league with 260 yards rushing with a league-high 83 carries. He also has 21 touchdowns.
The VooDoo defense played one of its best games of the season last weekend as they recorded three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, and also set a season high with five sacks in a game. New Orleans will need another performance like this to contain Philadelphia's dual-threat offense. Soul defender Bryan Robinson is tied for second in the league with eight sacks. The team has 20 sacks total, which is just two more than the VooDoo's total. Interceptions could also be an important factor in this game as both teams are close in that category (PHI - 12, NO - 8).
The VooDoo has an edge on special teams as Quorey Payne has been solid in the kick return game in Brent Holmes' absence. Payne has 33 returns for 643 yards, while Philadelphia's leader, Alvance Robinson, has 26 returns for 408 yards. Robinson has split time with returner LaRico Stevenson who has 24 returns for 318 yards. The game kicks off at 7:05 p.m. EDT at the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia this Saturday night.
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