Voodoo Pull Away From Talons Behind Dark and Cuasuz

Riley Kade — JRSports One

Jack Dark threw two touchdown passes and Julio Cuasuz ran for two more as the New Orleans Voodoo beat the Tampa Bay Talons 30-7. New Orleans never trailed and led by as many as 23 points, leaving Tampa Bay at 0-8.

The game turned early. Reed Kemwell's 46-yard field goal at 8:59 of the first quarter gave New Orleans a 3-0 lead, its first of the game, and the Voodoo never trailed after it.

Luke Vand caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Dark at 1:58 of the first quarter, and New Orleans led 10-0 after one. Cuasuz's 6-yard run at 3:54 of the second quarter made it 16-0, and that was the halftime score. Jordan Hater intercepted Dark at 1:14 of the second quarter, but the Talons did not get points from the turnover.

Arturo Dert intercepted Jose Vuoro at 13:08 of the third quarter. Dark then threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Brent Furkworth at 12:33 to make it 23-0. Zach Lailmore's 11-yard run at 6:52 cut the margin to 23-7, the only touchdown Tampa Bay scored. Cuasuz finished the scoring with a 1-yard run at 9:43 of the fourth quarter.

New Orleans gained 381 yards to 169 for Tampa Bay and ran for 218 yards to 121. Dark completed 22 of 35 passes for 197 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Cuasuz carried 26 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 59 more. Furkworth led the Voodoo with eight catches for 67 yards. For Tampa Bay, Vuoro completed 10 of 17 passes for 110 yards with one interception, and Fausto Mirreda carried 15 times for 74 yards.

On defense, Sam Chard and Jordan Blear each had six tackles and two sacks for New Orleans. Ethan Thodsby had six tackles and two sacks for Tampa Bay.

Brady Sowlin, the New Orleans defensive tackle, left with a hamstring strain and was replaced by Logan Shair. Adam Daird, the Tampa Bay right tackle, suffered a torn meniscus, and Thodsby sustained a high ankle sprain. All three are out one week.

The win lifts New Orleans to 5-2. Tampa Bay falls to 0-8.