April Fools’ Day got the best of VooDoo kicker Brian Schmitz Friday night.
The New Orleans VooDoo (6-4) lost for the third time in four weeks 56-55 against the Austin Wranglers in Austin, Texas.
VooDoo quarterback Andy Kelly’s eighth touchdown pass of the game put New Orleans up 55-49 with 1:16 to play in the fourth quarter.
But Schmitz shanked the ensuing extra-point attempt, and New Orleans only held a six-point lead.
Austin (4-6) took advantage of Schmitz’s miscue. Fullback Dane Krager scored the tying touchdown with six seconds in the game, and the Wranglers converted the extra point to take a one-point lead.
Schmitz had an opportunity to redeem himself at the end of the game, but he misfired on a 53-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Kelly completed 28 of 44 passes for 338 yards and eight touchdowns. New Orleans offensive specialist Aaron Bailey grabbed nine receptions for 135 yards, and his four touchdown catches helped him earn Offensive Player of the Game honors.
New Orleans led at halftime 35-28.
The VooDoo extended its lead to 14 points on the first drive of the second half. Kelly found Bailey for a 2-yard touchdown pass and a 42-28 lead.
The Wranglers scored 14 unanswered points to tie the game. Austin quarterback John Fitzgerald hit Darren Chiaverini in the endzone to cut New Orleans’ lead to seven.
Austin defensive specialist Kelvin Hunter intercepted Kelly in the endzone on the VooDoo’s next possession. Fitzgerald then drove the Wranglers the length of the field and connected with Chiaverini to tie the game at 42.
Kelly countered for New Orleans with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Carl Bond. But the third consecutive Fitzgerald-to-Chiaverini touchdown connection tied the score at 49.
Fitzgerald completed 35 of 45 passes for 344 yards and five touchdowns. Austin offensive specialist Ira Gooch led all Wranglers’ receivers with 12 catches for 138 yards and one score.