Shock will try to break two-game AFL losing streak

For all the improvement Spokane showed on both sides of the football last week, two things didn’t change.

Spokane committed four more turnovers – that’s 16 in four outings – and the Shock lost their second straight game, falling to Arizona 57-53. These turnovers were a little different than the first three games in that two came on center/quarterback exchanges and one of two interceptions was a last-play Hail Mary.

Still, Shock coach Andy Olson admits to sounding like a broken record as he pleads for his team to play consistent, mistake-free football.

“Wins and losses come with turnovers,” Olson said. “Fifty-three points is very average. We want to be in the 60s, bare minimum. The most important thing for us is not turning the ball over.”

Spokane (1-3) returns to action tonight against Milwaukee (2-1) at 7 at the Arena. The Mustangs are averaging 64.3 points per game and they’ve committed just three turnovers while forcing seven.

Quarterback Kyle Rowley will direct the Shock offense for the second straight game. His familiarity with the offense allowed Olson to open up the playbook a little more against Arizona. Spokane moved the ball, but was slowed by the turnovers.

“We were off on only a couple of deep throws; it’s just a matter of me knowing the guys’ speed,” Rowley said. “I was pretty happy with the efficiency of the offense and it’ll only get better.

“There are different types of mistakes – mistakes where you don’t know how you’re going to fix it and those you know exactly how to fix it. Snaps, the answer to that is getting more reps.”

Mustangs quarterback Gino Guidugli has passed for 773 yards and 13 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Arena Football League rookie Jared Jenkins has 23 receptions for 293 yards and six touchdowns. He had 211 receiving yards in a narrow season-opening loss to Arizona. Johnathan Wilson has 19 catches for 290 yards and five TDs.

“They’re very efficient,” Olson said. “Jenkins is very good and defensively they’re very solid. They keep everything in front of them, tackle well and they get you in the red zone and try to mix it up.”