Shock lose heartbreaker, 43-32

Saturday March 26, 2011

 March 25, 2011– After a see-saw battle, the Spokane Shock lost to the Barnstormers Friday night in Iowa, 42-43.

With 4:31 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Barnstormers’ defense came up with an interception that set up Iowa’s offense on the Shock’s six-yard line. After a quick Spokane penalty, Iowa’s offense found themselves on the three-yard line ready to put the game out of reach.

But, the Shock defense had other ideas. After five straight attempts to get into the endzone, Spokane’s defense turned away Iowa’s offense and set up the Shock’s offense with just over a minute left in the game trailing by one.

QB Kyle Rowley stepped onto the field and started the drive deep in their own territory on the four-yard line. After an incomplete pass on first down, Rowley connected with his leading receiver Greg Orton for a 27-yard completion. Rowley followed that up with another completion to WR Shaun Kauleinamoku for a nine-yard gain to the Iowa ten-yard line. Spokane was penalized on the next play and moved them back to the 15-yard line. Then, on second down Iowa DB Cameron McGlenn jumped Rowley’s pass into the endzone and came up with his second interception of the night to seal the victory for Iowa.

Despite the interception, Rowley passed for over 300 yards for the third consecutive game (302) completing 67% of his passes with six touchdowns. Rowley’s leading receiver Orton had his career-best game with five touchdowns on nine receptions for 203 yards.

Defensively, the Shock created three turnovers (two fumble recoveries and one interception). DL Khreem Smith recorded his second sack of the season, in as many games, with two tackles for a loss, forced a fumble and added a pass break-up.

But it was Iowa’s defense that made the biggest impact on tonight’s results creating four consecutive turnovers. The turnovers started at the end of the first half and didn’t end until Rowley hooked up with Orton on a 37-yard touchdown with 2:25 left in the third quarter.

The Shock return to Spokane next week to host the Kansas City Command on April 1st. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting TicketsWest.