Meyer sparks Shock to victory

SAN ANTONIO – Erik Meyer tossed seven touchdown passes, four to Adron Tennell, and rushed for two more scores to guide Spokane to a 61-48 Arena Football League victory over San Antonio on Friday at the Alamodome.

The fourth-ranked Shock (7-3) improved to 5-1 on the road. San Antonio dropped to 4-5.

Spokane began to take control late in the first half. Meyer’s 1-yard touchdown run put Spokane in front 27-21. San Antonio, which lost starting quarterback Nick Hill to a leg injury in the first quarter, converted three straight fourth downs but the magic ended when the Talons turned the ball over on downs.

Duane Brooks’ 8-yard touchdown reception gave Spokane a 34-21 lead at halftime. Patrick Stoudamire’s interception and another Meyer TD run boosted Spokane’s lead to 19 early in the third quarter.

The Talons refused to go away, picking off Meyer in the end zone and using two D.J. Stephens’ kick returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make it a one-possession game three times.

“These guys drive me crazy,” Shock coach Andy Olson said in a postgame radio interview. “We have to stop letting teams get back into it in the fourth quarter. We have to learn to close games out.”

Spokane answered with three Meyer touchdown passes, including a pair of impressive catches by Tennell, who made a one-handed reception and another on a jump ball with 41 seconds left.

“That last one was one of the greatest catches I’ve ever seen,” Olson said. “We would have been in some deep trouble if he hadn’t made that catch.”

Tennell finished with 12 catches for 177 yards. Meyer was 23 of 29 for 255 yards.

“The offensive line did a heck of a job,” Meyer said. “San Antonio probably has the best front four in the game and the offensive line was able to keep me up and we were able to make some plays.”