Shock Week 20 game preview
Thursday August 6, 2015
Shock at Las Vegas Outlaws this Saturday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. PT
SPOKANE, Washington (August 4, 2015) – The Shock (6-11, 2-4) will go on the road in Week 20 for the final regular season game of the 2015 Arena Football League season to take on the Las Vegas Outlaws (5-11-1, 3-3) at Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, August 8 with a 7:30 p.m. PT kickoff. Game coverage will begin at 7:00 p.m. PT on the Shock-VPI Radio Network on AM 700 ESPN Spokane. The game will also be available for viewing online via WatchESPN and the WatchESPN app.
MATCH-UP HISTORY
This will be the third match-up between the two teams during the 2015 regular season as the series is currently tied at 1-1.
The teams met for the first time in Week 9 in Las Vegas, where the Shock jumped out to a 35-14 half-time lead. During the second quarter of play, Outlaw’s quarterback JJ Raterink would feel the pressure of the Shock defense which would result in an interception and fumble in back-to-back possessions, each going for Spokane scores. Las Vegas would rally late and post 35 points in the final quarter of play thanks to an interception return for a touchdown (Little) and a kickoff return for a score (Varner). Despite the late push, Spokane would hold on to their early lead and win 63-56.
The tides would turn in the second match-up of the season during Week 12 in Spokane. The Outlaws posted 41 points in the first-half, fueled by an interception return for a score by defensive back Eddie Moten. Spokane would rally in the third quarter and outscore Las Vegas 22-7, including 16 unanswered points after Shock defensive lineman Derrick Summers recorded a safety against the Outlaws. Despite bringing the game within one score in the fourth quarter, Spokane would be unable to close the gap as Outlaw rookie return specialist Gerald Young would recorded a late kickoff return for a score to allow Las Vegas to seal the 62-56 win.
GAME PREVIEW
Last week the Shock suffered a loss in Cleveland after completing a two-game win streak in their previous games at home against Arizona and Portland.
The Gladiators jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the opening quarter of play thanks to two defensive stops against Spokane. After falling behind 31-14 going into half-time, the Shock’s turnover problems would continue right out of the gate in the third quarter as Spokane would suffer a sack and forced fumble that was recovered by the Gladiators for a score. Despite a late run in the fourth quarter by Spokane, Cleveland matched nearly every Shock score as the Gladiators would go on to win by a final of 59-42.
Las Vegas returned from their Week 18 cancelled game against New Orleans to face Portland last weekend. The Outlaws looked to veteran quarterback JJ Raterink and rookie Dennis Havrilla, but saw little success from either signal caller as they combined to complete 20-of-45 pass attempts for 256 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Thunder defense also held the Outlaws to 0-of-3 on their fourth down attempts. Portland return specialist Duane Brooks recorded his eightth kickoff return for a touchdown of the season last week, setting a new AFL single-season record, as the Thunder would cruise to a 64-33 victory.
The Shock will enter the final week of the regular season having scored an average of 46.8 points per game (ranked eighth) while allowing a league-high 55.1 points per game. Las Vegas has averaged 41.5 points per game (ranked tenth) while allowing 50.4 points per game (ranked fifth).
Last week the Outlaws utilized the combo of JJ Raterink and Dennis Havrilla at quarterback as Sean Bracket, who the Shock saw in each of the previous two games against Las Vegas, was placed on the Injured Reserve list on June 19. Yesterday (August 3), Las Vegas released Havrilla after last week’s poor performance against the Thunder. Unless Bracket is slated to return to action this week, the Outlaws will look to Raterink and rookie quarterback Kasey Peters.
Raterink has played in eleven games this season and completed 177-of-324 pass attempts (54.6 percent) for 1,981 yards, 34 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Peters has seen action in one game where he completed 5-of-12 pass attempts (41.7 percent) for 41 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Las Vegas receiving effort has been led by veteran Jomo Wilson who has seen action in fifteen games and recorded 80 receptions for 1,007 yards and 21 touchdowns. Rookie Clinton Solomon has added 49 receptions for 546 yards and eight touchdowns on the season, while Jason Willis has added 41 receptions for 548 yards and 13 touchdowns.
As the Shock prepare for a playoff push, they will enter the final week of the regular season with two healthy quarterback options in Arvell Nelson and Warren Smith. Nelson has received the nod the last two games and played in six total contests this season as he has completed 82-of-143 pass attempts (57.3 percent) for 871 yards, 14 touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 29 rush attempts for 78 yards and six scores. Smith has been active for ten games this season (eight starts) and completed 158-of-247 pass attempts (64 percent) for 1,816 yards, 32 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. He has also added 31 rush attempts for 119 yards and five touchdowns.
The Spokane receiving effort is led by rookie Anthony Amos who has hauled in 110 receptions for 1,205 yards and 19 touchdowns. Nick Truesdell has added 77 receptions for 948 yards and 23 scores, while Rashaad Carter has hauled in 63 receptions for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Protecting the football has not been a strong point for either team this season. Las Vegas is ranked eleventh in turnover margin this season (-12) while Spokane is ranked eighth (-9).
The two teams are within one sack of each other this season and are in the middle of the pack in the AFL. Spokane has recorded 27 sacks on the season and is led by James Ruffin (10), Derrick Summers (8.5), and Terrance Taylor (5). Las Vegas has tallied 26 total sacks and are led by Mike Lewis (8) and Terrance Carter (6.5). With the flurry of quarterbacks each team has had to employ this season, giving time to the signal caller this week will be a huge focus as Spokane has given up 33 sacks on the season (tied for tenth) while Las Vegas has given up 32 (ranked ninth).
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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.
