West Division Rivals Clash in Week 11 Matchup on CBS Sports Network
Published on May 31, 2013 under Arena Football League (AFL)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
CHICAGO - The Spokane Shock (7-3) return home for a rematch against their West Division rivals, the San Jose SaberCats (7-2) in "NET10 Wireless Arena Football Saturday" action on CBS Sports Network this Saturday at 10 p.m. ET from the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. This will be the second national television appearance for both teams this season.
A budding rivalry has developed between the two squads, with Spokane leading the all-time series 3-2 after defeating the SaberCats, 69-47, earlier this season. Spokane was aided by defensive back Paul Stephens' career night, in which he collected an AFL-record five interceptions against San Jose.
This week's matchup will no doubt have playoff implications for both teams. Despite the Week 5 loss to Spokane, the SaberCats hold the second spot in the West Division standings, a half-game ahead of the Shock. A win on Saturday for the SaberCats would solidify their second place position, while a loss would drop them to third in the division standings behind Spokane and give the Shock unquestioned ownership of a head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Shock started the season red-hot, rattling off five straight wins before dropping three in a row. However, the team has appeared to regain its footing after putting together back-to-back wins, with the most recent victory coming on the road against the San Antonio Talons (4-5). Shock quarterback and League MVP candidate Erik Meyer completed 23-of-29 passes for 255 yards and seven scores to accompany two rushing touchdowns in the game. He leads the League with 2,926 passing yards and 70 touchdowns through ten weeks, with eight of those touchdown passes coming against the SaberCats in Week 5. His favorite target, Adron Tennell, hauled in 12 passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns last week, bringing his streak of consecutive games with multiple touchdown receptions to 15. He had nine catches for 117 yards and three scores against the SaberCats earlier this season.
The SaberCats have not lost since the defeat at the hands of the Shock in mid-April. Perhaps the biggest reason behind the team's turnaround has been the addition of quarterback Russ Michna. The âCats are 5-0 since the southpaw arrived in San Jose last month. Michna last saw the Spokane Shock as a member of the Chicago Rush in 2012 when he set new franchise records with 400 passing yards and nine touchdowns in the game. On the defensive side of the ball, this week's matchup will feature the reigning Riddell Defensive Player of the Week, defensive back Clevan Thomas. The SaberCats defender is tied with, coincidentally, Spokane's Paul Stephens for the League lead with eight interceptions on the season. Thomas recorded two picks last week.
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