Shock sharpen teeth against SaberCats in 75-45 win

Sunday June 2, 2013

 Spokane defense holds San Jose to 16 first half points

SPOKANE, WA (June 1, 2013) –The Spokane Shock (8-3) won their third straight game with a 75-45 win over the San Jose SaberCats (7-3) at the Spokane Arena in front of a crowd of 9,138 in the CBS Sports Network Game of the Week. With the Shock win, Spokane takes sole possession of second place in the West Division.

In first quarter action, the Shock wasted no time putting points on the board with a one-play drive as quarterback Erik Meyer connected with wide receiver Brandon Thompkins on a 20-yard touchdown pass to take the lead at 7-0. After San Jose responded with a five play drive to be capped off with a 2-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Fred Williams, Meyer and Thompkins would connect once against before quarter’s end on a 35-yard touchdown pass to give Spokane the 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Spokane’s defense would make their presence known with a fourth down stop on the San Jose 12-yard line, setting up 2-yard touchdown plunge by Erik Meyer to open the second quarter to give the Shock a 21-7 lead. On San Jose’s ensuing possession, quarterback Russ Michna would be intercepted by Shock defensive back Terrance Sanders who would return the pass 43-yards for the Spokane score. During the point after attempt San Jose defensive lineman Francis Maka was able to press through the Shock line and block the kick attempt, allowing defensive back Clevan Thomas to scoop and score the two-point conversion for the SaberCats to bring the game to 27-9 in favor of Spokane. Offensive woes continued for San Jose on their next possession as Shock linebacker Terence Moore was able to strip the ball from San Jose wide receiver Fred Williams, setting up a 3-yard touchdown run by wide receiver Adron Tennell. San Jose was able to score their lone touchdown of the second quarter on a 3-yard run by quarterback Russ Michna, but a failed onside kick attempt to follow would set Spokane up to run out the clock and score the final touchdown of the first half on another rushing score by Adron Tennell. Shock wide receiver Jeffrey Solomon would serve as a backup defensive back due to the recent injury to Paul Stephens, despite the fact he had not played on the defensive side of the ball since High School. Solomon would come up with his first interception of his career with one-second remaining in the half as he was able to pick off the deep pass attempt by San Jose quarterback Mitch Mustain who entered the game for Russ Michna having only attempted 7 passes so far this season. Spokane’s 41 first-half points would break San Jose’s streak of allowing 38-points or less over their past five contests as they would go into the half leading 41-16.

The SaberCats would open the third quarter with quarterback Mitch Mustain continuing to take the snaps. On San Jose’s opening possession of the half, the Shock defense would yet again hold the SaberCats to a four-and-out and take over possession on the Shock 23-yard line. On Spokane’s next series, quarterback Erik Meyer would find Jeffery Solomon for his only reception of the game on a 9-yard touchdown pass to give Spokane the 48-16 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, San Jose would finally have the ball bounce their way after a bar-ball was able to be scooped up by Jabari Fletcher and allow him to return the kick to the Shock 4-yard line to set up a one-play scoring drive on a 4-yard touchdown run by TJ Watkins. A failed onside kick attempt would be accompanied by a penalty following the San Jose score and would set the Shock up on the SaberCats 3-yard. Wide receiver Adron Tennell would go on to score his third touchdown run of the game, breaking a franchise single-game record to give Spokane the 55-23 lead to end the third quarter.

In the final quarter of play, the Shock’s defensive onslaught would continue as Beau Bell would record his second consecutive sack after getting to San Jose quarterback Mitch Mustain to end the third quarter and then again on the first snap of the fourth quarter. Not willing to secede, San Jose quarterback Mitch Mustain would connect with Jason Willis for a fourth down touchdown pass from 17-yards out to tighten the Spokane lead at 55-29. Another failed onside kick attempt by San Jose would set Spokane up on the 7-yard line and open up a 8-yard touchdown pass from Erik Meyer to Brandon Thompkins. On San Jose’s next possession, the Shock defense would hold the SaberCats to their third four-and-out in the game and allow backup quarterback Arvell Nelson to complete his first pass attempt of the season on a 5-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Kamar Jorden and give Spokane the 68-29 lead with just under eight minutes to play. SaberCats quarterback Mitch Mustain would then lead the San Jose offense down the field and connect with Jason Willis for a 4-yard touchdown pass. After another touchdown pass by Arvell Nelson this time connecting with wide receiver Brandon Thompkins from 14-yards out, San Jose would score the final touchdown of the contest on a 36-yard touchdown pass between Mitch Mustain and Jason Willis. Spokane would go on to run out the remainder of the game clock to seal their win by a final score of 75-45.

Shock quarterback Erik Meyer completed 9 of 18 pass attempts for 145 yards and 4 touchdowns while Arvell Nelson would connect on 3 of his 5 pass attempts for 19 yards and 2 scores. Brandon Thompkins would lead the Shock receiving effort with 5 receptions for 86 yards and 4 scores. Adron Tennell would have his 15-game multiple touchdown streak snapped by failing to catch a touchdown reception, but would rush 5 times on the night for 3 scores. Terrance Sanders would record one interception on the night for a 43-yard touchdown.

San Jose quarterback Russ Michna completed 12 of 21 pass attempts in the first half for 127 yards. Mitch Mustain would complete 14 of 25 pass attempts for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns. Fred Williams would lead the SaberCats receivers with 12 receptions for 120 yards while Jason Willis would add 10 receptions for 152 yards and 3 scores.

SCORES BY QUARTER

Team 1 2 3 4 Final

San Jose 7 9 7 22 45

Spokane 14 27 14 20 75

MEDIA AWARDS

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – Adron Tennell (SPO)

Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – Terrance Sanders (SPO)

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – Jeffrey Solomon (SPO)

Cutters Catch of the Game – Brandon Thompkins (SPO), 34-yard touchdown reception in the 2nd quarter

AFL Highlight of the Game – Terrance Sanders (SPO), 43-yard INT for a touchdown

Net10 Wireless Hit of the Game – Beau Bell (SPO)

SPOKANE SHOCK MISSION

The Spokane Shock strive to deliver to our fans a high quality entertainment experience while serving and representing the Inland Northwest on and off the field as a proud member of the Arena Football League.

ABOUT THE SPOKANE SHOCK

The Spokane Shock is a professional arena football team of the Arena Football League from Spokane, Washington, USA. They play their home games at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. The Shock played their first four seasons in the former af2, winning division titles in all four seasons and ArenaCups in 2006 and 2009 before joining the AFL and winning ArenaBowl XXIII in their first season. Tickets and Sponsorships are available for the 2013 Season. For more information visit our website at spokaneshock.com or call 509-242-7462. You can also follow the Shock on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.