Shock suffer heartbreaking defeat in Utah
April 15, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Spokane Shock News Release
Spokane, WA: In a back-and-fourth battle between the Spokane Shock and the Utah Blaze 60-minutes of football all came down to the last play of the game in Salt Lake's Energy Solutions Arena.
With only three seconds left in the game, the Shock offense took over at its own 14-yard line down by a touchdown. QB Kyle Rowley dropped back to pass and heaved a Hail Mary pass into the endzone that fell incomplete as time expired and the Shock lost 62-69 to the Blaze.
Coming into Friday night's game, Utah's offense grabbed the headlines but it was their defense the made the difference in Friday night's game. The Blaze defense stopped the Shock offense twice in the first half, with a fumble recovery and a turnover on downs, and capitalized with two touchdowns and put Spokane in a hole for most of the game.
Utah scored on their first possession of the game when Blaze QB Tommy Grady hooked up with his leading receiver Aaron Boone on an eight-yard touchdown reception. The point after attempt was missed, leaving the door open for Spokane's offense.
Rowley took to the field and quickly led the Shock with a five-play 39-yard drive that was capped off with a seven-yard touchdown completion to WR Shaun Kauleinamoku. K Taylor Rowan converted the PAT and gave Spokane the 7-6 lead.
The Blaze fired back with one of their longest drives on the night and struck pay-dirt on a two-yard touchdown run by FB Ben Stallings. The touchdown gave the Blaze a 13-6 lead that they never relinquished for the duration of the game.
Rowley finished the game completing 81% of his passes for 323 yards with nine touchdown passes tying his own single-game club record for most passing touchdowns. Tonight is the fourth game that Rowley has completed over 300 passing yards. Grady completed 79% of his passes for 245 yards with six touchdown passes.
Spokane's receiving corps was led by WR Greg Orton who collected five touchdowns, tying his personal best, on 14 receptions for 146 yards. WR Emery Sammons recorded 11 receptions for 111 yards with one touchdown, while Kauleinamoku hauled in three touchdown catches.
Boone recorded 10 receptions for 100 yards with three touchdowns. This is Utah's first win in the all-time series against the Shock that now stands at 2-1.
Spokane travels to Orlando next week to take on the Predators on Saturday April 23rd with a 4:30 (PST) kickoff. Dennis Patchin and Keith Osso will call the action live on 700 ESPN THE TICKET. The Shock's next home game is on April 30th when they host the Arizona Rattlers. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting TicketsWest.
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