Shock fall to SaberCats, 26-55
Saturday June 6, 2015
Spokane held to lowest offensive point total in franchise history
SAN JOSE, California (June 5, 2015) – The Shock (3-7, 0-3) went on the road in Week 11 against the San Jose Sabercats (11-0, 4-0) on Friday, June 5 at the SAP Center. San Jose held Spokane scoreless in the third quarter of play and limited the Shock to their lowest offensive point total in franchise history as the Sabercats cruised to a 55-26 win.
The Sabercats took only two plays to find the end zone on their opening drive of the game as quarterback Erik Meyer scrambled for a six-yard score. Spokane responded with a nine-play drive as quarterback Warren Smith recorded his own rushing score, but a missed point after attempt by kicker Taylor Rowan would allow the Sabercats to hold onto a 7-6 lead. Meyer would lead the Sabercats down the field and connect with Reggie Gray for a 13-yard touchdown pass to give extend the lead to 14-6 at the end of the first quarter.
San Jose would hold the Shock to a turnover on downs on the San Jose 13-yard line in the second quarter, leading to a drive capped off by Meyer’s second rushing score of the night (four-yards). Spokane responded on their ensuing possession as Warren Smith connected with receiver Anthony Amos on a 22-yard pass on fourth down to bring the game back within one score, but with time on the clock San Jose would work their way down field and find the end zone on a seven-yard pass from Meyer to receiver Jeremy Kelly. With only 16 seconds remaining, the Shock would have an opportunity to score before the end of the half but fail to convert on a pass attempt to the end zone as the second quarter would end with San Jose leading 28-13.
Only seven total points would be posted in the third quarter between the two squads. San Jose would once again hold Spokane to a turnover on downs before Meyer would connect with Reggie Gray for the second time on the night for an eight-yard touchdown to extend the San Jose lead to 35-13.
Continuing their drive from the third quarter, the Shock would strike first in the final quarter of play as Smith would find receiver Nick Truesdell for a four-yard touchdown. After San Jose put together a six-play drive capped off by a three-yard rushing score by Armstrong, Spokane responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Smith to receiver Jabin Sambrano but a blocked point after attempt would leave the Shock trailing 26-42 with just over seven minutes remaining in the game. The Shock failed to recover the ensuing onside kick attempt and would also be hit with an illegal block penalty, setting the Sabercats up on the Spokane four-yard line. Four plays later, Meyer would find Jeremy Kelley for the five-yard score to extend their lead to 49-26. Shock quarterback Warren Smith would throw his only interception of the game on a pass attempt to the end zone as Sabercat defensive back Mike Williams would undercut the route and give San Jose the final possession of the game. Leading by three scores with time running out, the Sabercats would find the end zone as time expired on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Meyer to receiver D.J. Stephens to close out the 55-26 victory.
San Jose quarterback Erik Meyer completed 27-of-39 pass attempts for 260 yards and seven total touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) on the night. Reggie Gray would lead the Sabercats receiving effort with ten receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns while D.J. Stephens would add ten receptions for 79 yards and one score. Jeremy Kelly recorded two touchdown receptions. Defensive back Mike Williams recorded one interception.
Spokane quarterback Warren Smith finished the contest completing 23-of-41 pass attempts for 231 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) with one interception. Anthony Amos led all Shock receivers with 11 receptions for 121 yards and one score. Nick Truesdell and Jabin Sambrano each added one receiving touchdown on the night.
The AFL’s leading defense in San Jose limited Spokane to their lowest point total in franchise history (26) after previously tying the Shock’s lowest total earlier in the year in the 83-28 rout in Spokane.
POST-GAME AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: SJS WR Reggie Gray
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: SJS DB Ken Fontenette
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: SJS QB Erik Meyer
Cutters Catch of the Game: SJS WR Jeremy Kelley
AFL Highlight of the Game: FB Odie Armstrong’s open-field hurdle of Shock defender after catch
NEXT HOME GAME
The Shock will return to Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena in Week 12 and will host the Las Vegas Outlaws on Friday, June 12 with a 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff. The Week 12 home game will be a “Schools out for summer” celebration presented by KFC Restaurants and Rock 95.5 FM radio. The all-new Tailgate Zone will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the north arena parking lot featuring a Coors Light beer garden and free YMCA Kid’s Zone. Game coverage will a national TV broadcast on CBS Sports Network and also available on the Shock-VPI Radio Network on AM 700 ESPN Spokane. Post-game party action will take place at The Bar at Pizza Pipeline located at 1403 N Division, all ages are welcome. Tickets are available via TicketsWest.com, by calling 1-800-325-SEAT, or by visiting your local TicketsWest box office locations.
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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.
