Shock comeback falls short in 56-62 loss to Outlaws
Saturday June 13, 2015
Spokane unable to find pay dirt on final play of game
SPOKANE, Washington (June 12, 2015) – The Shock (3-8, 0-3) hosted the Las Vegas Outlaws (4-7, 3-1) in Week 12 AFL action on Friday, June 12. Spokane put themselves in position for the go ahead score as time expired, but came up two-yards short of the end zone in a 56-62 loss to the Outlaws in front of 7,497 fans at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
The Outlaws jumped out to an early lead when quarterback Sean Brackett completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jomo Wilson. The Shock were quickly able to respond as Anthony Amos took the hand-off from quarterback Warren Smith for the two-yard score, but a 23-yard completion from Brackett to receiver Tysson Poots followed up by a Ladon Hudson one-yard rushing score would put the Outlaws up 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Brackett added to the Outlaw lead with a two-yard rush touchdown to put his team up 21-7 early in the second quarter. On the Shock’s next possession, Eddie Moten intercepted Shock quarterback Warren Smith and returned it 12-yards for a touchdown. Shock defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters’ 31-yard return on the ensuing kickoff set up a 25-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Christian Wise, but the Outlaws responded with a one-play drive thanks to a 47-yard touchdown pass from Brackett to Williams to push their lead to 35-14. The Shock were able to answer with their own one-play drive on their next possession as Nick Truesdell would haul in a short hitch route and run through three Outlaw defenders on his way to a 48-yard touchdown, cutting the lead 35-21. With 55 seconds left in the half, Las Vegas would find the end zone once more as Brackett connected Poots for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The Shock would have a final opportunity to score before the end of the half, but Outlaw defensive back Eddie Moten would intercept Smith for the second time on the night as Las Vegas maintained a 41-21.
Spokane would open the second half and take only two plays to find the end as Smith connected with Anthony Amos for a four-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead 27-41. After the Outlaws responded with a one-play drive featuring a 41-yd touchdown pass from Brackett to Wilson up the right sideline, Spokane answered with their own one-play drive as Smith connected with Amos for a 45-yard pass touchdown to bring the lead back within two scores at 34-48. Facing a crucial fourth-down, the Outlaws were unable to convert as Derrick Summers sacked Brackett in the end zone for a safety. Getting the ball back, Smith would connect with Truesdell on fourth-down touchdown from the four-yard line for the Cutters Catch of the Game to cut the deficit to 43-48.
Opening the last quarter of play, Spokane linebacker Derrick Summers put heavy pressure on Outlaw quarterback Brackett resulting in defensive end James Ruffin recording a sack to set up a fourth-and-twelve on the Shock 18-yard line. On the following play, Brackett’s pass bounced off the chest of receiver Gerald Young and into the hands of Dodd-Masters for the Spokane interception. The Shock took over on their own four-yard line, but on the ensuing play Smith fumbled which resulted in a Las Vegas recovery and set up a touchdown run by Young. On the Shock’s next possession, Smith scrambled his way to 26-yard rush touchdown to bring the Spokane within one score at 49-55. The Outlaws weren’t done yet, as Gerald Young would take the kickoff the length of the field for a touchdown. Spokane answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Truesdell to shorten the Las Vegas lead to 56-62 with three minutes left of play. The Outlaws fumbled on the following kick return which allowed Spokane to recover the ball on Las Vegas 17-yard line. The Shock would run down the remaining time off the clock to set up the game winning score with seven seconds left on a fourth down play from the four-yard line, but a scramble attempt by Warren Smith came up short of the end zone as the Outlaws would close out the 62-56 win in Spokane.
Las Vegas quarterback Sean Brackett completed 13-of-21 pass attempts for 208 yards, four passing touchdowns, one rushing score, and only one interception on the night. Jomo Wilson led the Outlaw receiving effort with five reception for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Tysson Poots and Doug Williams would also add one scoring touchdown each on the night. Defensive back Eddie Moten recorded two interceptions (one for a touchdown) on the night while Gerald Young added a kick return for touchdown. The Outlaws defensive front also recorded four sacks on the night.
Shock quarterback Warren Smith completed 25-of-38 pass attempts for 304 yards, six passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and two interceptions. Anthony Amos led all Shock receiver with 11 receptions for 109 yards and two scores, while Truesdell added seven receptions for 99 yards and three touchdowns. Christian Wise also recorded his first receiving touchdown of the season for Spokane. Defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters recorded one interceptions, while James Ruffing recorded one sack and Derrick Summers added a sack for a safety.
POST-GAME AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: LVO QB Sean Brackett
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: LVO DB Eddie Moten
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: SPO WR Anthony Amos
Cutters Catch of the Game: SPO WR Nick Truesdell’s fourth-down jump ball catch over defender for a TD in Q3
AFL Highlight of the Game: SPO WR Nick Truesdell’s catches short hitch route, runs through three defenders on way to a 48-yard TD in Q2
NEXT GAME
The Shock will go on the road in Week 13 to face off against a Pacific Division opponent in the Portland Thunder on Sunday, June 21 at the Moda Center with a 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff. Game coverage will be live on ESPN2 and available on radio via the Shock-VPI Radio Network on AM 700 ESPN Spokane.
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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. 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.
