The New Orleans VooDoo battled up until the final second of the game as they defeated the Pittsburgh Power 59-44 Saturday night inside of the Energy Consol Center. The Console Center crowd of 5,036 watched as the VooDoo conquered their first road win of the season as they now stand 4-10 on the year. The Power falls to a 3-11 record. On their opening drive of the game, New Orleans quarter back Kurt Rocco connected with receiver Quorey Payne for a 26-yard touchdown pass to give the VooDoo a 7-0 lead. The Power responded quickly on their opening drive with Power quarterback Steven Sheffield hitting receiver Mike Washington with a 23-yard touchdown pass. On the next New Orleans possession, Rocco threw an interception which Power receiver Julian Talley turned into a 21 yard touchdown catch putting the Power up 13-7. VooDoo's Kurt Rocco redeemed himself as he threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to L.J. Castile to end the first quarter. To start off the second quarter, the Power took the lead with an 18-yard touchdown catch by Mike Washington. VooDoo's Quorey Payne responded with his second score of the game as he had a 4-yard touchdown grab to put the VooDoo up 21-19. The Power got their redemption as Chris Leflore returned the kickoff for a 56-yard touchdown to put the Power on top 26-21. Castile earned his second touchdown of the night on a 15-yard pass putting New Orleans back on top 28-26. Payne then took a missed Julian Rauch 40-yard field goal attempt off the net for a 51-yard score that put the VooDoo ahead 35-26. Washington's second touchdown catch of the game from 25 yards got the Power within two points at 35-33. Castile closed out the first half of the game with his third touchdown of the night on a 22-yard pass giving New Orleans a 42-33 advantage. The 3rd Quarter was low-scoring with only one touchdown made by the Power's wide receiver Mike Washington's 6-yard score. The VooDoo's new acquired kicker, Kenny Spencer kicked a 46-yard field goal to make the score 45-40 heading into the 4th Quarter. The Power open up the fourth quarter with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Mike Washington. After an injury to Kurt Rocco, New Orleans back-up quarterback Chris Dixon scored on a 5-yard run to give the VooDoo a 2-47 lead. The Power retook control of the game when Power quarterback connected with Julian Talley on a 4th and 10 from 15 yards out to make the score 54-52. Dixon's 29-yard touchdown pass to Payne two plays later gave New Orleans a 59-54 lead. With 55 seconds remaining, the Power had the ball at the VooDoo 17-yard line, but defensive back Eddie Moten intercepted Sheffield, which was the AFL Highlight of The Game. New Orleans proceeded to run out the clock, preserving the 59-54 victory. The New Orleans VooDoo continue their three game road stint next Saturday, July 6 against the Utah Blaze.
