Shock Clinch Playoff Berth with 64-46 Victory Over KISS
Sunday June 29, 2014
Meyer contributes seven touchdowns in return to Los Angeles
SPOKANE, WA (June 28, 2014) – The Spokane Shock (8-7) secured their fourth playoff berth in five seasons with a 64-46 victory over the LA KISS (3-11) on Saturday night in the Honda Center on ESPN2.
Spokane quarterback Erik Meyer accounted for seven touchdowns – six through the air, one rushing – in the team’s second road victory in LA this season. Meyer completed 23 of 34 passes for 214 yards with no interceptions.
Rookie wide receiver Rashaad Carter continued his impressive campaign with four receptions for 39 yards and three touchdowns while Nicheren Flowers hauled in a game-best 11 receptions for 93 yards and one score.
The Shock defense created two turnovers on the night and was led by defensive back Terrance Sanders’ six tackles and one interception. The trio of James Ruffin, Derrick Summers, and Bryson Kelly combined for five sacks including one for a safety to open the second half.
Spokane opened the game with a quick touchdown when Meyer found Mike Washington for a 34-yard touchdown on the third play, giving the Shock an early 7-0 lead. The KISS answered on their first drive when starting QB Aaron Garcia connected with former Shock receiver Brandon Thompkins for an 11-yard touchdown, knotting the score up at 7-7. Meyer and Garcia exchanged touchdown passes to close out the first quarter with the Shock leading 14-13.
Meyer and Carter connected for their second touchdown of the night to open the second quarter and push the Spokane lead to 21-13. Three turnovers in three-straight plays ultimately gave the Shock the ball on the KISS 2 yard line and Meyer capitalized with a touchdown on a QB sneak, giving Spokane a 28-13 lead. First half scoring ended with a Meyer to Flowers 9-yard touchdown pass with under a minute remaining on the clock to give the Shock a 35-13 lead heading into halftime.
A relatively quiet third quarter began with Summers and Kelly combining for a Shock safety when they took down Garcia in the end zone. Spokane took the ball after the safety and promptly put it in the end zone with a 1-yard rush from fullback Rory Nixon, giving Spokane their largest lead of the night at 43-13. Garcia and Donovan Morgan found the end zone with a 6-yard pass on the following drive to cut the Shock lead to 43-21.
The KISS’ followed up with another touchdown a few minutes into the fourth quarter when Kenny Guiton, replacing an injured Garcia, hit L.J. Castille for an 8-yard touchdown. However the Shock would respond on the ensuing drive when Nixon fell on a fumble in the end zone to push the lead to 50-28. Guiton continued his relief stint by hitting Morgan for a 27-yard touchdown on the next KISS possession, bringing them within two scores at 50-34. Following an onside kick attempt by the KISS and recovered by the Shock, Meyer found Carter for a third time on an 8-yard touchdown pass to put the Shock up 57-34. With one final breath on the ensuing kickoff, Thompkins returned a Taylor Rowan kick 56 yards for a touchdown to put the KISS down 57-40 with just under three minutes remaining. However, another failed onside kick attempt would lead to a Meyer to Nick Truesdell touchdown and seal the Shock’s victory. As time expired on the final drive Guiton punched in a 9-yard rushing touchdown to produce the final score of 64-46.
Next up for the Shock is a bye week before a matchup with the no-longer undefeated Arizona Rattlers (14-1) at home on July 12 at 7:00 p.m. PDT.
Spokane Shock 2015 Season Tickets are on sale and available for renewal now. To purchase or renew call (509) 242-7462 or visit SpokaneShock.com.
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Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game – Spokane, Erik Meyer
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game – Spokane, Terrance Sanders
J Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game – Spokane, Nicheren Flowers
Cutters Catch of the Game – LA KISS, Donovan Morgan (29-yard touchdown catch)
AFL Highlight of the Game – LA KISS, Brandon Thompkins (4th quarter kickoff return for a touchdown)
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SPOKANE SHOCK MISSION
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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 2015 Season. For more information visit our website at spokaneshock.com or call 509-242-7462. You can also follow the Shock on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, and YouTube.