Shock win crucial game, lose another quarterback
Brian Beaudry
Monday June 20, 2011
The Spokane Shock held on after the loss of yet another quarterback due to injury to topple yet another division-leading team, beating the Chicago Rush 63-60.
The Shock have now had more players take snaps from center (seven) this season than wins (six), but thanks to a couple of great passes from Steven Sheffield in his first AFL action and some big plays from a defense that seems to have found them addictive in recent weeks, it didn't end up making a difference.
"It was unfortunate what happened to Erik [Meyer, the starter], especially how he was playing - he was hitting every ball and lights out, he was perfect. Then he had to make that tackle and unfortunately got hurt," said Sheffield.
Meyer started the game on fire for the Shock, completing 13 of 16 passes in the first four drives as he completed a touchdown pass to each of his four wide receivers.
With the game virtually tied at 28-27, the defense interjected itself into Chicago quarterback Russ Michna's life, first with a sack on Chicago's first-and-goal try, then with Antwan Marsh's interception on the next play. After the Shock scored on an all-rushing drive, the defense continued teeing off on Michna with a Jon Williams sack and forced fumble that fellow defensive lineman Jonathan Williams recovered in the end zone for another touchdown. Michna left the game at halftime having completed 13 of 18 passes for 161 yards and four touchdowns with the Rush down 42-27.
Meyer and the Shock offense added another touchdown in the first drive after halftime to push the lead to 22 at 49-27, and when Rush backup quarterback Dominic Randolph threw an interception on the first series of the second half for Chicago, it looked like the game might be wrapped up.
Then came Meyer's only mistake of the game, a first-down interception in the end zone on a pass intended for Shaun Kauleinamoku. Chicago defensive back Perry Kyles snagged the pass and returned it through the rest of the offense, leaving Meyer to make the tackle.
Meyer's helmet hit Hall's hip on the play and the quarterback's night was over.
From there, Chicago set themselves up for a comeback. They scored on the ensuing drive and capitalized on Sheffield's first drive in the AFL with an interception, then put the ball in the end zone again to close the gap to 10.
Sheffield, like every other first-time Arena Football player, noted that the game speed was just so much faster than he was used to in that first drive.
"Sometimes you call the protection for a five-step drop and your receiver gets open on your first step or second step and you've got to change your drop on the fly and get that ball out there," said Sheffield. "If you throw the ball late, you'll end up throwing interceptions like I did. It's just a lot quicker than the outdoor game."
Sheffield seemed to calm down after that, uncorking a 43-yard bomb to Greg Orton up the right sideline to push the lead back to three possessions at 56-39. Orton finished the game with a game-high 10 receptions for 169 yards and three touchdowns.
After another Chicago score, Spokane put the game just out of reach with their next touchdown, another deep pass, this time to Shaun Kauleinamoku, who literally walked in for the score from the four-yard line.
"The play was called 50 Pig," said Kauleinamoku, watching the replay on the big screen after the game. "Greg [Orton] had an over, and he took one guy with him and I had one-on-one with number 4 [Vic Hall, the AFL's interception leader]. With one-on-one, you've got to beat it in this game. So at the end, we just walked in. Nobody can cover us one-on-one."
With 10 minutes left, it was just a matter of holding on - ironic because Spokane couldn't hold on to the ball, as a failed pitch and a fumble by fullback Clay Harrell ended up in Rush hands and Chicago capitalized on both possessions to make it a three-point game with just under a minute left.
Chicago's fate was sealed in the final minute thanks to Jeremy Geathers' offsides penalty on third down. Geathers was expected to go to the Shock and was part of the reason Spokane felt comfortable putting Khreem Smith in the trade with Utah that netted Meyer - instead he helped the Shock from the other side of the line.
The defense hasn't missed a beat since Smith's departure anyway.
"I still wish Khreem was here, but we learned a lot from Khreem as a defense and as you can see, we're taking full advantage of that right now," said Beau Bell, who led the Shock with 10 tackles and two sacks.
The difference in the game came from the kickers. Spokane's Taylor Rowan was perfect on the night, converting all nine of his extra points, while Chicago's Robert Forstrom missed three - the final margin.
With the win, the Shock continue to hold on to the fourth playoff spot due to tiebreakers - tied at 6-7 with Tulsa and Utah, they hold the tiebreaker based on record versus common opponents. Against common opponents Arizona, Chicago, Dallas, Iowa, Pittsburgh, and San Jose, the Shock are 3-3, while both Tulsa and Utah are 3-4 (Utah has played San Jose twice; Tulsa has played Chicago twice).
The Shock will go into New Orleans next week for their third chance to crack .500 on the season. In their previous two tries, they scored just 41 and 42 points against Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay, losing both.
Odds and Ends: Both of Spokane's quarterbacks recorded tackles - Meyer on his interception return, and Sheffield on both fumble recoveries. The Shock are now 4-0 against teams leading their division at game time with wins over Orlando, Arizona, Dallas and Chicago. Antwan Marsh picked up a rushing touchdown, an interception, and three special teams tackles in earning Ironman of the Game honors.