Football

Predators Lose Against Former Coach

The Orlando Predators remain defeated on the road after losing to former head coach Pat O’Hara and the New Orleans VooDoo Friday night. The Predators lost to the VooDoo, 68-61, moving their overall record to 1-8 for the 2012 season.

The VooDoo started out the high-scoring first quarter with a score on their first possession, a touchdown pass from quarterback Kurt Rocco to wide receiver Josh Bush, giving New Orleans an early 7-0 lead. The Predators answered on their first offensive play of the game, a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Leak to wide receiver T.T. Toliver. New Orleans found the end zone on their next possession on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Rocco to wide receiver Quorey Payne. Orlando scored on their next possession on a touchdown pass from Leak to wide receiver Nate Forse, tying the game at 14. The VooDoo answered the score with a touchdown, a second hookup between Rocco and Bush. After a Leak interception, the VooDoo were able to capitalize on a rushing touchdown by fullback Joe Alajajian. After a missed extra point, the score gave New Orleans a 27-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Predators opened the second quarter with a score, a touchdown pass from Leak to Toliver, making the score 21-27. After an onside kick recovery by Orlando wide receiver Jarvis Williams, the Predators capitalized off of the kick with a touchdown pass from Leak to wide receiver Dwayne Eley, Jr. The score gave Orlando a 28-27 lead. On the VooDoo’s next possession, Predators defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock sacked Rocco in the end zone resulting in a safety. The safety gave Orlando two points and possession of the football. The Predators capitalized off of the safety with a touchdown pass from Leak to Toliver-his third of the first half. After a failed onside kick attempt, Rocco threw a pass that was intercepted in the end zone by Orlando defensive back Eddie Moten. The Predators were able to add a Mark Lewis field goal with 57 seconds left in the first half to make the score 40-27. On the following kickoff, Orlando recovered their second onside kick of the game. The Predators were able to tack on another touchdown, a pass from Leak to Eley, Jr. With 21 seconds left in the first half, the VooDoo were able score on a long touchdown pass from Rocco to wide receiver L.J. Castille. The score brought an end to the first half, Orlando leading 47-34.

The third quarter began with a Leak interception by VooDoo defensive back Jeremy Kellem. The VooDoo capitalized off of the turnover with a touchdown pass from Rocco to Payne, making the score 47-40. On the following kickoff, New Orleans failed their second onside kick attempt of the half and Orlando scored on the short field position. Leak hit Toliver for his fourth touchdown reception of the game and put the Predators up, 54-40. New Orleans responded to the score with a touchdown on their next possession from Rocco to Castille. On the Predators next possession, Leak threw his third interception of the game to VooDoo defensive back Alvin Jackson. New Orleans capitalized off of the turnover with a touchdown pass from Rocco to Payne-his third touchdown reception of the game. The score tied the game at 54 and brought an end the third quarter.

The Predators scored on the first play of the fourth quarter, a long touchdown pass from Leak to Toliver. The score gave the Predators a 61-54 lead. The VooDoo responded quickly with a score of their own, a touchdown pass from Rocco to Bush. After a defensive stop, the VooDoo were able to add a touchdown, a pass from Rocco to Payne. The score gave New Orleans the lead, 68-61. On the Predators next possession, Leak threw a pass that was intercepted by Kellem. The VooDoo ran out of the rest of the game clock after the turnover, resulting in the eighth loss of the season for Orlando.

The Predators were led statistically by quarterback Chris Leak. Leak had 25 completions, threw for 357 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions.

T.T. Toliver received the bulk of the receptions in the game. Toliver had his most productive game of the season thus far catching 13 passes for 210 yards, and hauling in five touchdown receptions.

The Predators were led defensively by linebacker Marlon Moye-Moore and defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock. Moye-Moore totaled five tackles, and Pitcock notched one tackle, one safety, and one sack.