Shock Stymied by SaberCats, Fall 28-83
May 16, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
Spokane Shock vs. San Jose SaberCats
(Spokane Shock)
SPOKANE, Washington (May 16, 2015) - The Shock (2-5, 0-2) hosted the San Jose Sabercats (8-0, 2-0) for the first of three match-ups during the 2015 regular season on Saturday, May 16 as the Sabercats handed the Shock their worst loss in franchise history by a final score of 28-83 in front of 7,519 fans at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
In the first quarter of play, the Sabercats held the Shock to a turnover on downs on the opening drive of the game before scoring on a 14-yard pass from quarterback Nathan Stanley to receiver Darius Reynolds. On Spokane's next possession, quarterback Warren Smith would be intercepted by San Jose defensive back Ken Fontenette before the Sabercats would again find the end zone, this time on a 17-yard screen pass to offensive lineman Rich Ranglin. The Shock would score for the first time on the night on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Smith to wide receiver Anthony Amos to bring the game back within one score at 7-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The Sabercats would post 35 total points in the second quarter. San Jose would first find the end zone on a two-yard rush by Reynolds before Spokane quarterback Smith would find receiver Mike Washington on a six-yard touchdown pass. San Jose would go onto to score 21 unanswered points, starting with the J. Lewis Small Playermaker of the Game Darius Reynolds catching a screen pass that he would take 37-yards behind great downfield blocking for the score and the AFL Highlight of the Game. After a net-recovery on the ensuing kickoff, San Jose would score on a short touchdown pass to receiver Adron Tennell. On the Shock's next possession Smith would be intercepted for the second time on the night by San Jose defensive Fontenette who would return deflected pass 16-yards for the score to give the Sabercats a 42-14 lead with 3:24 remaining in the half. Spokane would respond on their next possession as Smith would find Washington on an 18-yard touchdown pass, but after failing to recover the onside kick San Jose would take advantage of the short field and find the end zone on a two-yard bootleg by Stanley. Spokane would get the ball back with an opportunity to score before the half, but would again be stopped by the San Jose defense as the first half would close with San Jose leading 49-21.
San Jose would open the third quarter with the Cutter's Catch of the Game, coming on a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stanley to wide receiver Reynolds before Shock quarterback Smith would be intercepted for the third time on the night by San Jose defensive back Fontenette. After the Sabercats wide receiver Reggie Gray would find the end zone for the first time on the night on a 14-yard pass from Stanley, the Shock would respond with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Amos to close out the third quarter with San Jose leading 62-28.
The Sabercats would continue their dominating performance and hold the Shock to a scoreless final quarter of play. San Jose would hold the Shock to turnovers on downs on each of their first two possession, while Sabercat receiver Adron Tennell would snag two touchdown catches from the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the game, quarterback Nathan Stanley. Backup Shock quarterback Carson Coffman would enter the game for Spokane, but was only able to complete 1-of-8 pass attempts in relief of Smith. San Jose would score one final time before the end of the contest on a one-yard plunge by Odie Armstrong as San Jose would close out the win by a final of 83-28.
POST-GAME AWARDS
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: SJS QB Nathan Stanley
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: SJS DB Ken Fontenette
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Game: SJS WR Darius Reynolds
Cutters Catch of the Game: SJS WR Darius Reynolds 25-yard TD reception to open second half (Q3)
AFL Highlight of the Game: SJS WR Darius Reynolds screen pass that he takes 37-yards for a TD (Q2)
The Shock will go on the road in Week 9 of AFL regular season play to take on the Outlaws for the first time in franchise history at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada next Saturday, May 22 with a 2:00 p.m. PT kickoff. Game coverage will be available via radio on the Shock-VPI Radio Network on AM 700 ESPN Spokane and for viewing on WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.
The next home game for the Shock is slated for Saturday, May 30 against the Arizona Rattlers with a 7:00 p.m. PT kickoff. Tickets are on sale at all TicketsWest box office locations, by phone at 1-800-325-SEAT, and online at TicketsWest.com.
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 Spokane Shock vs. San Jose SaberCats |
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