The 2008 New Orleans VooDoo season came to a quiet end Saturday night at The Graveyard, with the VooDoo falling to the Grand Rapids Rampage, 86-70. The loss dropped the VooDoo to 8-8 on the season and coupled with a win by Cleveland, eliminated New Orleans from postseason contention.

The two teams exploded for a bevy of offense on the night, but the Grand Rapids defense and special teams made three big plays to provide the winning margin.

VooDoo quarterback Danny Wimprine accounted for nine touchdowns, throwing for 358 yards and eight scores along with a touchdown run, but Rampage QB James MacPherson outdid him, throwing seven touchdowns and running in three more.

The Rampage took advantage of the game's only three turnovers, two on interceptions by former VooDoo defensive back William Haith and the other a net recovery to push their way to victory.

The visitors also exposed a depleted VooDoo defense as the home team couldnt make up for the absence of jack linebacker Norman LeJeune and other injured players, allowing the most points in a single game in franchise history.

Head Coach Mike Neu saw his team battle hard but still fell at home for just the second time this season. Grand Rapids improved to 6-10 and clinched a berth in the American Conference playoffs.

The VooDoo received the opening kickoff but were unable to move the ball and a Rampage sack on fourth down gave the visitors the ball on the New Orleans 1-yard line. Grand Rapids took the lead 7-0 two plays later on a MacPherson quarterback sneak.

A 41-yard pass from Wimprine to Javarus Dudley moved the ball inside the Rampage 5, and the quarterback answered his opposite numbers challenge by scoring on a one-yard touchdown run of his own, tying the game at 7-7.

Grand Rapids drove right down the field on the next possession and a 19-yard touchdown pass from MacPherson to Chris Johnson put the Rampage back in front.

The VooDoo wasted no time in knotting the game once more, as Jeremiah Pope took a pass over the middle from Wimprine and raced to the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown and a 14-14 tie.

As time ran out on the first quarter, the Rampage once again posted a seven-point lead as MacPherson found Kenny Higgins all alone near the goal line for a 24-yard score and a 21-14 advantage.

http://www.govoodoo.com/newsroomarticle.cfm?articleid=664

_________________