Shock unable to keep pace with SaberCats in 27-62 loss
Saturday June 27, 2015
San Jose posts 42 answered points in second half, hold Shock scoreless in two quarters
SPOKANE, Washington (June 26, 2015) – The Shock (4-9, 1-4) were defeated by the San Jose Sabercats (13-1, 5-0) in Week 14 AFL action in front of 7,618 fans at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena by a final score of 27-62.
The Shock offense posted their second lowest point total of the 2015 regular season (27), narrowly missing their franchise record low of 26 by the hands of the Sabercats during the June 5 matchup in San Jose.
Spokane was held scoreless in the first quarter of play after fumbling in the red zone on their opening possession and then being held to a turnover on downs on their second series. San Jose quarterback Erik Meyer and receiver Reggie Gray connected for two scores in the first quarter as the Sabercats took an early 14-0 lead.
The two teams would trade scores to open the second quarter, starting with the Cutters Catch of the Game as receiver Nick Truesdell hauled in a one-handed touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Coffman from nine-yards out to bring the game back within one score. Shock defensive back Mike McMillan added the AFL Highlight of the Game with a 31-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown to bring the game to 20-20, but San Jose would find the end zone once more before the half on a touchdown pass from Meyer to receiver Ben Nelson with just under one minute left to play to take the one touchdown lead. The Shock had a final opportunity to score before the half, but an overthrown pass to the end zone by Coffman would bounce off the bottom bar of the rebound net and result in an interception by San Jose defensive back Clevan Thomas, closing out the half with San Jose leading 27-20.
In the first half the San Jose defense held the Shock to two turnovers on downs and two interceptions while also limiting Spokane to 1-of-4 red zone conversions. San Jose quarterback Erik Meyer completed 19-24 pass attempts for 209 yards and four touchdowns.
San Jose would go on to hold the Shock scoreless in the third quarter of play and rattle off 42 unanswered points in the second half.
Spokane quarterback Carson Coffman sustained a shoulder injury in the third quarter, resulting in backup quarterback Arvell Nelson taking over under center. The Shock would find the end zone only one time in the second half, coming with just one minute to play in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard pass from Nelson to Truesdell. San Jose would go on to run out the clock and complete the 2015 series sweep of the Shock by a final score of 62-27.
San Jose quarterback Erik Meyer finished the night completing 26-of-34 pass attempts for 277 yards and seven touchdowns while adding one rushing score. Reggie Gray led the Sabercats receiving effort with 14 receptions for 154 yards and four touchdowns while four other San Jose receivers would record receiving scores on the night (Nelson, Ranglin, Reynolds, Kelley). The San Jose offense went 3-of-3 on third down attempts on the night and did not face a fourth down during the game.
The Sabercats defense held the Shock to 1-of-5 on fourth down conversions and added two interceptions (Thomas Hyland), one fumble recovery, and five sacks on the night.
Shock quarterback Carson Coffman completed 13-of-23 pass attempts for 165 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions before leaving in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. Backup quarterback Arvell Nelson finished the night completing 9-of-17 passes for 78 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Receiver Nick Truesdell led the team with 12 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Braylon Bell added one receiving touchdown.
POST-GAME AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: SJS QB Erik Meyer
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: SJS DB Ken Fontenette
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: SJS WR Reggie Gray
Cutters Catch of the Game: SPO WR Nick Truesdell’s one-handed TD catch in Q2
AFL Highlight of the Game: SPO DB Mike McMillan’s fumble return TD in Q2
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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.
