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NEW ORLEANS -- Garrett Lindholm's 41-yard field goal as time expired lifted the New Orleans VooDoo (2-4) to an exhilarating 66-63 victory over the Spokane Shock (1-4) on Saturday night.
Spokane quarterback Carson Coffman found Rashaad Carter in the corner of the end zone with less than 10 seconds to play, and overtime beckoned after Mike Washington's two-point reception tied the game at 63 with eight seconds left in regulation. VooDoo Brian Reader quickly connected with newcomer Jackie Chambers, bringing the ball to midfield with just one second remaining on the clock. Up stepped Lindholm, and his powerful right-footed drive split the uprights easily, ending New Orleans' four-game losing streak and giving the team its first-ever victory over Spokane.
"After such a bad day kicking field goals, it feels pretty good to get an opportunity to win one at the end," said Lindholm after being mobbed on the field by teammates.
Linebacker-turned-fullback Roosevelt Falls capped a historic night, scoring a franchise record five touchdowns on the ground on 11 carries, with punishing runs through the Shock defense. Falls set new career-highs in rushing attempts, yardage (40), and touchdowns.
"My whole line and I communicated through practice this week," Falls said. "I just ran through the holes and it really had nothing to do with me. It was the offensive line taking care of business"
Coming in in relief of injured starting quarterback Adam Kennedy during the second quarter, Brian Reader was steady, completing 15-of-26 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
Opening the third quarter tied, with a perfect throw over the shoulder of Carlese Franklin, Falls would plow in from one yard out, giving New Orleans the lead once again 42-35.
It was the VooDoo defense who stepped up big in the second half, forcing three turnovers, including a tipped pass by Cortez Stubbs that Tracy Belton would return 51 yards down the right sideline that helped the VooDoo pull away.
The game opened in explosive fashion, with Shock quarterback Carson Coffman lofting a perfect pass just over the outstretched finger tips of Cameron McGlenn that Rashaad Carter took 45 yards for a score on just the second play from scrimmage. Kennedy would lead the VooDoo to a quick response, going 4-for-5 on the ensuing drive, capped by Falls' first touchdown of the quarter, an 11-yard scamper off a toss to the left side. Falls would score his second touchdown in the first quarter on a six-yard toss from Kennedy, ending a frantic sequence of four touchdowns out of the first ten plays from scrimmages, and leaving the score tied at 14. Completing a hat trick of first quarter touchdowns, Falls juked his way into the end zone untouched to give the VooDoo a 21-14 lead.
On the ensuing drive Cortez Stubbs would flash across Carson Coffman's deep pass on fourth down, giving the VooDoo first and goal at the Spokane Shock 10. New Orleans could not extend their lead however, and despite a fumble on the return, Garrett Lindholm's 25-yard field goal attempt was brought back to the end zone by Sergio Gilliam.
Coming in to replace starter Adam Kennedy after an injury, Reader would connect on two of his first four passes, including a 17 start strike to a wide open Chris Duvalt on a post route, giving the VooDoo the lead once again.
MEDIA AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of Game: New Orleans FB Roosevelt Falls, 11 carries, 40 yards, 5 Touchdowns.
Riddell Defensive Defensive Player of Game: New Orleans DB Tracy Belton, 6.5 tackles, .5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 TD
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: Spokane WR Rashaad Carter, 8 catches, 126 yards, 2 TDs
Cutters Catch of the Game: Spokane WR Rashaad Carter's leaping touchdown catch to make the score 63-61
AFL Highlight of the Game: New Orleans K Garrett Lindholm's game-winning 41-yard kick as time expired
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