Shock smothers the Blaze in 80-41 win

Saturday June 22, 2013

 Spokane bounces back in Week 14 in dominating fashion

SPOKANE, WA (June 21, 2013) – The Spokane Shock (10-4, 4-2) hosted West Division rival Utah (5-8, 1-4) in a Week 14 Net10 Wireless Arena Football League matchup. The Shock posted an 80-41 win over the Blaze in front of 9,965 fans at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.

Quarterback Jason Boltus would make his second start of the season in place of Tommy Grady and show is value early, leading the offense down field in six plays and converting on a fourth down to post the first score of the game on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mario Urrutia. After a failed extra point attempt, the Blaze would lead 6-0 until Shock quarterback Erik Meyer answered with a 1-yard touchdown run, set up by a 36-yard screen pass to Adron Tennell who would be tripped up on the goal line just shy of the end zone. On the ensuing kickoff, a bar ball by Shock kicker Taylor Rowan would allow Spokane to recover and retake possession of the ball on the Utah 17-yard line to set up 15-yard touchdown pass from Meyer to wide receiver Kamar Jorden to push the Shock lead to 13-6. On their final possession of the first quarter, Jason Boltus would connect with Mario Urrutia for the second time in the night, this time on a 3rd and goal situation from the 25-yard line to tie the game at 13-13.

Spokane would continue their drive into the second quarter and quickly get into the end zone after a 5-play drive, capped off by a 2-yard run by fullback Will Falakiseni. On Utah’s next possession, backed up to their own 2-yard line, Shock defensive lineman Diyral Briggs would apply pressure to Blaze quarterback Jason Boltus and come up with the sack and forced fumble which was recovered by linebacker Terence Moore in the end zone for the Spokane score. The Spokane defense was relentless in the second quarter as they would go on to hold Utah to a four-and-out on their next possession, setting up a 7 play 38-yard drive that would be capped off with Erik Meyer finding backup quarterback/wide receiver Arvell Nelson for the 6-yard touchdown, extending the Shock lead to 33-13. Utah would then attempt to drive the field and post the final score of the half, but an errant pass by Boltus on the slant route would allow Shock defensive back Patrick Stoudamire to come up with his second interception of the season and close the first half out with the Shock on top 33-13.

Spokane would return the opening kick of the second half and make short work of their possession as Erik Meyer would find wide receiver Brandon Thompkins down the sideline for the 43-yard touchdown, his first of the night. The teams would go on to exchange fumbles; Utah on the errant quarterback-center exchange and then Spokane would give the ball right back after losing the handle after a short pass. The Blaze would go on to score on a 11-yard touchdown pass from Boltus to Anthony Jackson and convert on the 2-point attempt thanks to a 7-yard scramble by quarterback Jason Boltus, bringing the game within three scores with Spokane leading 40-21. After the Shock would answer with a 12-play drive for a touchdown capped off by a 2-yard run by quarterback Erik Meyer, Utah would extend their drive into the fourth quarter trailing the Shock 46-21.

The Blaze would continue their possession into the third quarter, scoring on a short touchdown pass from Boltus to Urrutia at the end of a 9 play 45-yard drive eating up nearly six and a half minutes off the clock to bring the game back within three scores with the Shock leading 46-27. On the ensuing kickoff Shock kick return specialist Terrance Sanders would take the return to the house and to push Spokane’s lead to 53-27 with 12:49 remaining in the final quarter of play. Leading the Utah offense down field, Boltus would connect with receiver Anthony Jackson for the short score but a failed 2-point conversion would leave the Blaze trailing by a score of 53-33. After the failed onside kick attempt, Spokane would take over on the Utah 16-yard line and score on a fumble recovery by offensive lineman Ryan Cave after Adron Tennell fumbled on the goal line while attempting to stretch for the end zone on a short run. On Utah’s next possession, the problems would continue. On another fumbled quarterback-center exchange by the Blaze, Shock linebacker Terence Moore would scoop up the ball and take it 15-yards for the Shock score to put Spokane up 67-33 with just over four minutes and thirty seconds remaining. Not willing to give up Utah would find the end zone once again as Jason Boltus would connect with wide receiver Chase Deadder from 25-yards out and convert on the 2-point conversion on a short run by Boltus. After the failed onside kick attempt by Utah, Spokane would score in one play as Erik Meyer would connect with Adron Tennell from 4-yards out to extend the Shock lead to 74-41 with just over one minute remaining in the contest. On Utah’s next possession, the Shock defense would again hold the Blaze to a four-and-out situation and take over on the Utah 18-yard line. Arvell Nelson would take over snaps at quarterback for the Shock and connect for the final score of the game at the end of regulation, sealing the Shock blowout at 80-41.

The Shock will be on a bye in Week 15. In Week 16, the team will begin an 8-day road trip to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Storm on Saturday, July 6th with a 4:30 PM PST kickoff.

SCORES BY QUARTER

Team 1 2 3 4 Final

Utah 13 0 8 28 80

Spokane 13 20 13 20 41

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock receiver Brandon Thompkins
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock linebacker Terence Moore
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock linebacker Terence Moore
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME
Utah Blaze wide receiver Chase Deadder’s one-handed catch in the 3rd quarter
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME
Spokane Shock’s Terrance Sanders kick return for a touchdown

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.