Shock look to get back on track with second consecutive home game
May 15, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, WA (May 15, 2013) - The Spokane Shock (5-3) take on the New Orleans VooDoo (1-6) for their second straight home game at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, May 17th at 7:00PM.
Last week, the Shock came home for their third home game of the season to take on the Orlando Predators. Entering the contest, Orlando owned a 1-5 overall record. With the recent acquisition of former San Jose quarterback Aaron Garcia, the Predators were able to capture their first win of the season the previous week with the veteran quarterback at the helm. Spokane came into the game trying to rebound after two straight losses (Tampa Bay, Utah) and two slow offensive starts where they failed to score on the opening drive of the game in each contest. The Shock took care of the slow offensive starts and went on to score on the opening drive against the Predators while being able to hold on to a three touchdown lead on three separate occasions. Despite posting 62 first half points, a late fumble and onside kick recovery by the Predators in the final minutes of the game would provide Orlando the opportunity to score the go ahead touchdown with 5.7 seconds remaining and steal the win from the Shock by a final score of 83-82
Although the Shock have lost their last three games, QB Erik Meyer still leads the league in passing average (289.8), total offense (2398) and is third in pass efficiency (129.2). Against Orlando last Saturday, Meyer went 22-31 for 263 yards and 7 touchdowns. Jeffery Solomon and Adron Tennell led Spokane's receiving core with a combined 177 yards and 6 touchdowns.
New Orleans lost their sixth consecutive game last week, falling to the Iowa Barnstormers (4-4) 16-62. QB Zack Eskridge went 13-21 for 116, 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. With a total of 4 turnovers in the game, the VooDoo were unable to gain any momentum against the Iowa defense.
Last season Spokane and New Orleans met just one time on May 11, 2012 in Spokane with the Shock taking the victory in overtime 68-62. During that game Shock QB Kyle Rowley went 27-45 for 271 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. VooDoo QB Kurt Rocco27-43 for 402 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions; half of Rocco's touchdown passes were hauled in by WR Josh Bush who also had 146 yards in the game. Terrance Sanders had a highlight game with 5 kickoff returns for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns and also had 2 key interceptions in the contest, one of which coming in overtime to seal the Shock victory in a game that went score for score with 7 ties throughout the game and 5 lead changes.
Spokane and New Orleans have played four of the same opponents so far this season (Orlando, Iowa, San Jose, Tampa Bay) with VooDoo's only win coming in Week 1 against the Orlando Predators 51-45, prior to the Predators acquisition of quarterback Aaron Garcia. This week's game will be a turning point for the Shock if they want to make a run for the playoffs as they face off as heavy favorites against a struggling New Orleans squad.
So far this season, the VooDoo's quarterbacks have been under duress as they have given up the 3rd most sacks in the league with 20 in their first 7 games.
The VooDoo offense is ranked 13th in first downs (122), 3rd down conversions (29.1%), and 14th in pass efficiency (63.8). Scoring only 34.9 points per game and posting only 213.3 yards of total offense a game, the Voodoo will have to turn things around to keep up with Spokane's 67.0 points per game and 285.6 yards of passing yards they've averaged over 8 games. While the Shock offense has performed at a high level this season, the defense will be under the microscope this week after squandering a 21-point lead last week to the Predators. They've given up a league worst 353.4 total yards per game this season, despite having a turnover margin of +10 through 8 games. Spokane will have to find a way to create pressure on the VooDoo quarterbacks who have thrown 14 interceptions so far this season, while the Shock defense is averaging just over 1 sack per game. There is no doubt that the New Orleans wide receivers are talented after acquiring former Soul receiver Donovan Morgan in the offseason and returning 8th year AFL veteran Derek Lee to the lineup. However, this season has not faired well for any home team so far as throughout the league the home squad is a dismal 19-33 while playing on their home turf through Week 8 (compared to 83-65 overall during the entire 2012 season).
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, May 17th at 7:00 PM PST at Spokane Arena will be broadcast on SWX TV, streaming at shock.arenafootball.com/allaccess, and available for your listening pleasure on 700AM ESPN radio. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by contacting TicketsWest at 800-325-SEAT, visiting TicketsWest.com online, or by visiting the Box Office located at Spokane Arena.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from May 15, 2013
- Rattlers Remain Atop Week 9 vPower Rankings - AFL
- Rush Acquire Defensive End from Cleveland - Chicago Rush
- Utah Returns to SLC Looking to For Second-Straight Home Victory - Utah Blaze
- Storm Partners with Cell Phones for Soldiers, Inc. - Tampa Bay Storm
- Shock look to get back on track with second consecutive home game - Spokane Shock
- Soul's Robinson Wins Week 8 Defensive Player of the Week - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul Hosts United Way & Jaws Youth Playbook - Philadelphia Soul
- VooDoo Head West to Close Out Road Trip - New Orleans VooDoo
- Week 9 Preview: Sharks Host SaberCats on Saturday - Jacksonville Sharks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
