Shock Defeat Outlaws 51-34
August 9, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
LAS VEGAS, Nevada - The Shock (7-11, 2-4) went on the road in Week 20 for their final regular season game of the 2015 Arena Football League season and defeated the Las Vegas Outlaws (5-12-1, 3-3) at Thomas & Mack Center by a final score of 51-34.
The opening quarter showed a slow start for the Shock who gave up the first score of the game in just two plays as Las Vegas quarterback Sean Brackett connected with receiver LaDon Hudson for a 45-yard score. The two teams would then trade possessions as each team would suffer a turnover on downs before Spokane would tie the game on an eight-yard pass from quarterback Arvell Nelson to receiver Jabin Sambrano. Spokane would then hold Las Vegas to another failed fourth down attempt as Shock defensive lineman Micah King would record a sack against the Outlaws, setting up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to receiver Rashaad Carter to take the 14-7 lead to end the quarter.
The Shock would go on to outscore the Outlaws 23-7 in the second quarter, including 16-points in the final minute of play.
Las Vegas would continue their drive from the end of the first quarter and cap off a scoring drive with a four-yard rush by Hudson to tie the game at 14-14. Shock defensive lineman James Ruffin then recorded a safety that would then set up an eight-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Sambrano on Spokane's next possession. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball would bounce away from the Outlaw return man and be recovered by Shock linebacker Kevin McCullough to give Spokane the 30-14 lead going into half-time.
The two teams would trade scores to open the third quarter of play. Nelson connected with Sambrano for a 39-yard score before the Outlaws would respond with an eight-yard rush by Brackett. The Las Vegas defense held Shock to a turnover on downs on the Spokane 14-yard line, but an interception by Shock defensive back Rushcard Dodd-Masters in the end zone would close out the quarter with Spokane leading 37-21.
Spokane continued their third quarter drive into the final quarter of play, but Nelson's pass would be intercepted by Outlaw defensive back Eddie Moten. Las Vegas would find the end zone on an 11-yard pass from Brackett to Solomon, but a failed two-point attempt would leave them trailing 27-37. After a failed onside kick attempt by the Outlaws, the Shock took advantage of the short field and scored on a one-yard rush by Nelson to extend their lead back to three scores. Each team would score once more on the night, but the early Spokane lead would allow the Shock to run out the clock and seal the 51-34 victory.
The Shock win locks the team into the number-three seed in the National Conference. Spokane will go on the road for the first round of the 2015 AFL playoffs to face the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday, August 15 with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.
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