The New Orleans VooDoo used timely defense to secure a 49-47 victory against Grand Rapids on Saturday.
New Orleans (8-4) won its second consecutive game since its bye week. The VooDoo defeated Columbus 64-28 last week in the New Orleans Arena.
Defensive specialist Chris Pointer intercepted Rampage quarterback Nick Browder’s pass late in the fourth quarter and returned it for a touchdown to give the VooDoo a nine point advantage.
Browder replaced Rampage starting quarterback Michael Bishop earlier in the fourth quarter. Bishop, who finished the day 11 of 21 for 122 yards and two touchdowns, was replaced with the Rampage trailing 35-27.
Denario Smalls intercepted Browder’s first pass attempt of the game, but it led to no points for New Orleans. Kelly threw his only interception of the game on the ensuing drive, and the Rampage cashed in when Teto Simpson recovered a Chris Avery fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.
Kelly connected with offensive specialist Aaron Bailey for the second time of the day to cushion New Orleans’ lead.
Browder threw his first touchdown pass of the game, a 29-yarder to David Saunders.
Grand Rapids recovered the ensuing onside kick, but Pointer’s interception and return for a touchdown crushed any comeback effort by the Rampage.
Browder finished 5 of 8 for 106 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Kelly completed 29 of 46 passes for 302 yards and six touchdowns and was named the offensive player of the game.
Bailey caught nine passes for 104 yards and two scores to lead all VooDoo receivers. Lamont Moore added two touchdowns on seven receptions for 85 yards.
The VooDoo led 28-24 at halftime.
The only score of the third quarter came when Rampage kicker Peter Martinez booted a 54-yard field goal to narrow New Orleans’ lead to 28-27.