The
New Orleans VooDoo (1-2) will host the Tampa Bay Storm (2-1) this
Friday, April 6, in the Graveyard at 7:00 p.m., as they look to build on
to end the curse in The Graveyard. The game will be televised
nationally by NFL Network as the NET 10 Game of the Week.
The
VooDoo collected their first victory of the season on Saturday, as they
defeated the Utah Blaze on the road, 72-57. Kurt Rocco set new career
and franchise records with his 373 yards passing and 9 touchdowns. Rocco
has now passed for over 300 yards in all three games this season.
Greg Ellingson's breakout season continued, as he hauled in 11 catches for 167 yards and four touchdowns - all new career marks.
"Last
week was a good win and confidence builder for our team," said O'Hara.
"Our opponent this week (Tampa Bay) is another really good and
disciplined team. It is also a rivalry game and will be on NFL Network,
which makes the stakes even higher."
The
VooDoo trailed 44-40 midway through the 3rd quarter when an 8-yard
touchdown pass from Rocco to Ellingson put the team up for good. The
Blaze cut the lead to 60-57 early in the fourth quarter, but Utah's
final three drives ended with VooDoo interceptions.
In
all, the VooDoo turned the Blaze over 7 times, with 5 interceptions and
2 lost fumbles. Linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson hauled in 3 of those
errant passes, and was subsequently named the Riddell Defensive Player
of the Week, the League office announced on Tuesday.
As
the VooDoo return home this Friday looking to end a 12-game home losing
streak, Rocco, Ellingson and the New Orleans aerial attack will have
their work cut out for them, as the Storm come to New Orleans boasting
the league's fourth best pass defense, allowing an average of just 244
yards passing per game.
The
VooDoo counters the Storm with the league's top-ranked offense and
second ranked passing attack. All eyes will certainly be glued to the
field when Tampa's defense attempts to slow the VooDoo offense, which
has steadily improved each week.
"We
have steadily gotten better, but we are not where we need to be," added
O'Hara. "Our team has prepped all week knowing that Tampa Bay is a
tough divisional opponent, and we are going to need another strong
performance from our team."
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