Shock get first win of 2015 in overtime thriller over Predators
Sunday April 26, 2015
Spokane defense steps up in OT, stuffs Orlando 2-point conversion attempt to set up game winning drive
SPOKANE, Wash. (April 9, 2015) – The Shock (1-3, 0-1) hosted the Orlando Predators (3-2, 1-0) for Week 5 Arena Football League action on Saturday, April 25 at Spokane Veteran’s Memorial Arena in front of 8,906 fans. In an overtime thriller, the Shock would come away with their first win of the season by a final score of 56-55.
The Shock would come off to a strong start opening the game with a twelve-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Carson Coffman to Rashaad Carter. After Shock DE James Ruffin recovered a fumble, Bryson Kelly would go on to rush the ball into the end zone from two-yards out putting Spokane on top 14-0. Orlando would end the quarter answering with a four-yard touchdown pass to Greg Carr to cut the lead by seven to 14-7.
Opening the second quarter, Spokane’s Ruffin would recover his second fumble of the night that would result in a 30-yard touchdown pass to Mike Washington, extending the Shock lead to 21-7. Following an exchange of scores, Rashaad Carter would recover an onside kick at the six-yard line setting up a touchdown pass once again to Mike Washington for his second of the game. After trailing 35-21 with 3:47 left to go in the half, the Predators would go on to score twice after a touchdown pass to Simmons for twelve-yards and Brown for sixteen-yards. The Shock failed to complete a 36-yard field goal and would end the quarter at 35-35.
The start of the second half would begin with a fumble recovery by Terrance Taylor, of the Shock, as he would take it in nine-yards for the score putting Spokane back on top 42-35. The Predators would answer with a three-yard touchdown run from Bernard. Despite another James Ruffin sack for loss of four-yards, the Predators would complete a nine-yard touchdown pass to Thompkins, again ending the quarter in a tie at 49-49.
The fourth quarter would include sloppy performances by both teams resulting in no scores for either. Orlando would fumble three times and throw one interception, while Spokane would throw one interception, miss a 23-yard field goal, and fail to stop the Predators offense on two crucial fourth downs. The game would end remaining in a tie at 49-49 heading into overtime.
An overtime thriller started with Terrance Taylor of the Shock sacking Orlando QB Hippeard for a loss of eight-yards. However, after fan interference, the Predators got to reply third-down that resulted in a 28-yard touchdown completion to Thompkins. The Predators would fail to convert a two-point conversion but still retain a six-point lead over the Shock at 55-49. Spokane was able to recover an onside kick at the nine-yard line that set up Mike Washington’s fourth touchdown of the night and tied the game back at 55-55. After two missed field goals during regulation, Taylor Rowan was able to seal the Shock win with a successful PAT attempt at 56-55.
POST-GAME AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: ORL Randy Hippeard
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: SPO James Ruffin
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: ORL Kendall Thompkins
Cutters Catch of the Game: ORL WR Greg Carr one-handed catch on third-and-long in 3Q
AFL Highlight of the Game: Shock DL Terrance Taylor fumble recovery for a touchdown in 4Q
The Shock will go on the road in Week 6 to take on the New Orleans VooDoo on Saturday, May 2 at the Smoothie King Center for a 6:00 p.m. PT kickoff. Game coverage will be available via radio on the Shock-VPI Radio Network on AM 700 ESPN Spokane and for viewing on WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.
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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. The Shock will kick off their 10th Anniversary Season in 2015. Tickets and Sponsorships are available. 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.
