Shock Look to Rebound at San Jose
April 2, 2014 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
SPOKANE, WA (April 2, 2014) - Returning to play from a bye week the Spokane Shock (1-1) travel to take on the San Jose SaberCats (2-1) this Friday, Apr. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
The Shock and SaberCats have matched up a total of six times since 2010 when the Shock joined the AFL; Spokane leads the all-time series with a record of 4-2 and won the most recent matchup between the two clubs 75-45 on Jun. 1, 2013.
After opening the 2014 season with a dominant 64-35 win over the Iowa Barnstormers in week one, the Shock dropped their first road game of the season in Arizona 68-49 in week two.
Leading the Rattlers 21-13 halfway through the second quarter, the Shock surrendered 27 straight points to the potent Arizona offense. Despite a strong fourth quarter in which they found the end zone three times, the Shock were never able to make up the deficit.
Shock quarterback Erik Meyer continues to impress behind center for Spokane, now with 48 completions for 535 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Meyer's pass efficiency rating of 115.2 is fourth best in the Arena Football League while his 267.5 yards per game is third best and his 7.4 yards per attempt put him at sixth.
On the other end of Meyer's passes is a trio of talented wide receivers in Brandon Thompkins, Adron Tennell, and Mike Washington. Thompkins currently leads the Shock with 17 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns while Tennell has added 15 catches for 128 yards and four scores. Washington, a newcomer to the Shock this year, had brought in 13 receptions for 165 yards and five touchdowns.
Meyer and company have powered the Shock offense to 56.5 points per game, enough for fourth best in the league through three weeks.
The Shock defense this season has been led by defensive backs Terrance Sanders and Paul Stephens and defensive end James Ruffin, who have combined for 30.5 tackles through two games.
One of the only offenses in the AFL better than the Shock's this season belongs to the SaberCats, who have scored 60.3 points per game and accumulated 260 total yards per game through their three contests.
San Jose quarterback Nathan Stanley has completed 63.4 percent of his passes this year for 598 yards and 14 touchdowns, nine of which have gone to receiver Reggie Gray who has hauled in 23 receptions for 305 yards.
The game can be found on the radio in Spokane on 700 ESPN with Keith Osso and Larry Weir on the call. Online streaming of the game can be found at ESPN3.com or on the WatchESPN app.
Arena Football League Stories from April 2, 2014
- Storm Adds Kicker and Defensive Back - Tampa Bay Storm
- Week 4 Preview: Sharks Head West to Meet Rattlers - Jacksonville Sharks
- Shock Look to Rebound at San Jose - Spokane Shock
- Faith and Family Night Featuring Bobby Bowden Friday, April 4 - Tampa Bay Storm
- Power Jump to Third in Latest Coaches' Poll - Pittsburgh Power
- Game Preview: Iowa Barnstormers at Cleveland Gladiators - Iowa Barnstormers
- Predators Assigned Veteran Kicker Marc Demos - Orlando Predators
- VooDoo Host Unbeaten Predators Thursday - New Orleans VooDoo
- Week 4 Preview: Sharks Head West to Meet Rattlers - Jacksonville Sharks
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