Arizona routs Shock 61-35
A couple times this season Spokane has appeared to hit its stride only to come unraveled a week later. It happened again when Spokane, a week after crushing San Jose 90-63, was blasted at home by No. 1 Arizona 61-35 Friday.
Kyle Rowley, who tossed an AFL-record 12 touchown passes a week ago, was intercepted five times, twice by ex-Shock linebacker Kevin McCullough. Backup quarterback Jason Holtus also tossed a pick, giving Spokane six turnovers.
The loss all but eliminates Spokane from playoff contention.
My unedited game story is below.
By
The Spokane Shock could do no wrong against
They did very little right Friday and needed a fourth-quarter rally to prevent the most lopsided defeat in team history. Top-ranked
It doesn’t get any easier. The Shock visit No. 2 Philadelphia (13-3), which owns the AFL’s best record, on Sunday, July 8.
“It comes around full circle,” defensive back Josh Ferguson said. “We played the exact same way as
This one went from competitive to rout early in the second quarter. Trailing 14-7,
Shock coach Andy Olson challenged the call, hoping for a
“They didn’t see it my way,” Olson said. “That was a huge momentum killer for us.”
Two more Rowley interceptions, one by former Shock linebacker Kevin McCullough, opened the floodgates as
“We turned it over right away and we were playing from behind from there,” Rowley said. “It’s tough to play a solid team like that from behind. I forced some issues because we got down quick.”
The Rattlers’ defense made two more stops, including another McCullough interception, in the third quarter as their lead grew to 54-14.
“We couldn’t see the field on offense, couldn’t read it,” Olson said. “We’re obviously not a consistent team. I take personal blame. I have to somehow get this team to play, practice to practice and week to week. That was an unacceptable performance.”
The Shock lost offensive lineman Palauni Ma Sun to injury in the first quarter. Receiver Adron Tennell, despite limping noticeably for much of the game, finished with 12 catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Ex-Washington State Cougar Jeffrey Solomon had 12 receptions for 122 yards.
Davila finished with five touchdown passes, two to White and one to former Cougar Trandon Harvey.