The New Orleans VooDoo snap an eight game losing streak to pick up a 69-40 win over the Cleveland Gladiators Saturday night in front of a crowd of 4,148 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The VooDoo (2-8) turn in their most complete performance of the season with big plays on both sides of the ball, leading to their first win inside the Superdome. The VooDoo also enjoy a 4-0 all-time record over the Gladiators. New Orleans took advantage from the outset of the game as they recovered the game's opening kickoff. The VooDoo turned that into a quick strike as quarterback Kurt Rocco found receiver Donovan Morgan for a quick six-yard touchdown. Rocco connected with Morgan twice more in the first quarter as the VooDoo held a 21-13 advantage. Morgan had yet another prolific night as he had eight receptions for 127 yards and four touchdowns. The VooDoo put up another 21-point onslaught in the second quarter. Rocco tossed three touchdowns to three different receivers "" Courtney Smith, L.J. Castile, and a circus catch over the wall from Morgan. Rocco was workmanlike and essentially mistake free as he was 22-31 for 250 yards and seven touchdowns. He threw zero interceptions. Cleveland struggled with turnovers and protecting quarterback Chris Dieker, who was sacked five times, twice by defensive lineman Marlon Favorite. Dieker finished 27-42 for 239 yards and four touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions. Two of those picks were returned for touchdowns "" one by Castile and another by newly acquired DB Cameron McGlenn, who had two interceptions in the game. Receiver Dominick Goodman had 12 receptions, but he was only able to garner 85 yards and two scores, which led the way for Cleveland. New Orleans kept the pedal down for the rest of the second half as both the offense and defense each had two scores to stay well in front of the Gladiators who fall to 2-8 on the season. Cleveland had two rushing touchdowns in the second half, but the VooDoo never let up. Tempers did flare a bit in this game as the teams combined for four personal foul penalties, one of which led to VooDoo defensive back James Bryant's ejection in the third quarter. But that was not enough to deter the VooDoo's efforts in a solid win. The VooDoo will take on another East Division team as they head to Philadelphia to tangle with the Soul next Saturday, and they return to the Superdome a week later to take on the Tampa Bay Storm.
