Talons Edge VooDoo in Overtime, 38-35

July 27,2014

By Zachary Pickard
NEW ORLEANS – The San Antonio Talons (3-15) defeated the New Orleans VooDoo (3-15), 38-35, in overtime Saturday night in front of 6,217 fans in “The Graveyard”.
The game began with an impressive six-play, 48-yard drive captained by VooDoo quarterback Adam Kennedy, culminating in a 19-yard touchdown to receiver Chris Duvalt. Talons quarterback Matt Bassuener quickly responded with his own six-play, 39-yard drive, ending with a touchdown strike to rookie receiver Clinton Solomon, in what was the first of three Solomon touchdown receptions on the night.
The VooDoo responded on the next drive with a six-play, 40-yard series resulting in a two-yard touchdown rush from Kennedy. Bassuener, however, quickly led his team back to a tie game with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Robert Quiroga. Kennedy followed by finding his favorite target from a week ago, Larry Beavers, for a 16-yard score. The Talons followed with a nine-play, 27-yard drive that climaxed with an end around trick play, as wide receiver PJ Berry connected with Solomon for a one-yard score, Berry’s second career passing touchdown.
A failed onside kick attempt by the Talons with 50 seconds left set up the VooDoo inside the San Antonio ten yard line. This three play drive ended with Kennedy’s third and final passing touchdown of the night, as he found Duvalt open in the end zone. On the last play of the half, Bassuener heaved a 28-yard pass to find the red-hot Solomon to tie up the game heading into the break, 28-28.
As stellar as the offense had been for both sides in the first half, the defense stepped up equally well in the second. Following a San Antonio missed field goal, the teams traded turnovers. A Kennedy pass was intercepted by rookie defender Derrick Thomas, who was playing in his first career game with the Talons. San Antonio could not capitalize, however, as the interception was followed by New Orleans receiver Carlese Franklin forcing a Solomon fumble. The VooDoo took advantage, as Kennedy led the team on a six-play, 38-yard drive capped off with a three-yard scamper from the rookie quarterback, his second rushing touchdown of the night and his team leading tenth of the season. The Talons responded on the next drive, gaining 63 yards on nine plays before finally scoring on a 16-yard pass to Berry.
The game took an interesting turn from there, as Adam Kennedy led the VooDoo on a 15-play, 40-yard drive that chewed up nearly 11 minutes off the clock. However, while attempting to center the ball between the uprights for a field goal attempt, Kennedy fumbled the snap and the ball found its way into the waiting hands of San Antonio nose guard Mark Weivoda. On the next play from scrimmage, Bassuener’s pass to the end zone was intercepted by VooDoo defensive back Travis Coleman who returned the ball to the San Antonio 17 yard line. Following a loss of ten yards on a pass to Beavers, the VooDoo attempted a 40 yard field goal that hit the right upright, sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Bassuener led the Talons on a seven-play, 39-yard drive to the VooDoo six yard line before defensive lineman Kwame Jordan tipped a pass in the air that was then intercepted by Carlese Franklin, a receiver stepping into the secondary due to injuries, for his second forced turnover of the contest. Adam Kennedy followed suit with a seven-play, 37-yard drive to the Talons ten yard line before being intercepted by Kelvin Rodgers, who set a new single-season franchise record with the interception, bringing his 2014 total to 12. Bassuener, determined to convert on this drive, led the Talons to the VooDoo eight yard line before kicker Garrett Lindholm drilled a 21-yard field goal to clinch the win for San Antonio.
Bassuener finished the game 20-of-35 for 204 yards and four touchdowns in the win, earning him the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game Award. His counterpart, Kennedy, finished 25-of-42 for 205 yards and five total touchdowns. PJ Berry and Clinton Solomon also contributed for the Talons, as Berry collected 56 yards receiving and accounted for two scores, while Solomon ended his night with 77 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Chris Duvalt was the leading VooDoo receiver with 75 yards and two touchdowns. Kelvin Rodgers and Jamar Ransom both had nine tackles on the night for the Talons, while Carlese Franklin led New Orleans with ten.