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After slow start, Tampa Bay Storm rips New Orleans

 
Published April 18, 2015

TAMPA — What a difference a week can make.

Seven days after getting physically dominated by San Jose, Tampa Bay took its frustration out on New Orleans, beating up the VooDoo 42-13 Friday night before 9,122 at Amalie Arena.

"(New Orleans) ran into an angry football team," Storm coach Lawrence Samuels said.

Defense was the catalyst for Tampa Bay (2-2), stifling New Orleans' offense and shutting out the VooDoo during the second half. The Storm finished with four sacks, three turnovers and a bevy of highlight-reel hits.

"It was very exciting, I'm not going to lie," Storm defensive lineman Brandon Sesay said. "You see (hits) like that and you're back on and you want to get a piece of that (too)."

The defense, which gave up just 10 points in the second half to San Jose last week, forced two turnovers on downs Friday, blocked a field goal and knocked quarterback Adam Kennedy out of the game in the fourth.

"It kind of reminds me of back in the day when I played," Samuels said.

"We were very physical up front and in the secondary. We're trying to bring back that old tradition."

Tampa Bay also did a much better job in protection. The Storm came in having surrendered the most sacks in the league (nine) but didn't give up any Friday until late in the fourth when the game was well in hand.

Storm quarterback Jason Boltus benefited most from the extra time, going 19-of-29 for 224 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Without starting wideout Jarvis Williams (toe injury), wide receiver Phillip Barnett came up big. Barnett, who came in with five catches on the season, hauled in seven receptions for 51 yards and two scores. Both of Barnett's TDs came in a big third quarter when the Storm outscored New Orleans 21-0. Julius Gregory only caught two balls but both were for touchdowns.

"We needed someone to step up," Samuels said. "The young guys were under a lot of pressure from the coaching staff to and knew they had to play well with Jarvis out."