Spokane was strong on both sides of the ball en route to a 63-42 win over Tulsa at the Arena on Friday. Read on for a short game story and check back in an hour for a longer version.

By Jim Meehan

jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131

Spokane has been on the verge of taking over the top spot in the Arena Football League coaches’ poll for several weeks. After a convincing win over No. 7 Tulsa and top-ranked Jacksonville’s 70-48 loss to Orlando, the Shock should finally reach No. 1 when the new poll is released Wednesday.

Kyle Rowley tossed seven touchdown passes, five to Raul Vijil, and Spokane’s defense came up with three turnovers to fuel the second-ranked Shock’s 63-42 victory over the Talons in front of 10,077 Friday at the Arena.

Rowley bounced back from a three-interception performance last week with 307 yards passing and he also ran for one score. Vijil had another big night with 11 catches for 103 yards. He has 1,029 receiving yards and 31 TD catches on the season.

Spokane’s Travis Williams and Antwan Marsh had interceptions. Marsh has two interceptions in two starts at ‘Jack’ linebacker, and just like his pick last week, which came in the closing minute, this one was well timed.

It came after the Talons (6-5), trailing 49-35, threatened to get back into the game on LaRico Stevenson’s interception early in the fourth quarter. Four plays later, Marsh picked off a Justin Allgood pass, giving the Shock possession at the Tulsa 7.

On fourth down, Rowley found Vijil open on the right sideline and Vijil raced into the end zone for his fourth touchdown and Spokane led by 21.

Spokane was solid on both sides of the ball in the first half. The Shock scored on all five possessions and used a couple of late defensive stops to take a 35-21 lead.

Vijil broke away from defensive back Chris Royal and was wide open for a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rowley, giving Spokane a 28-21 lead.

The Talons converted on fourth down for a touchdown on their third possession, but they couldn’t do the same on their fourth series. On fourth-and-2 at the Shock 12, Allgood fired a quick pass into the right flat while receiver Donovan Morgan continued running his route downfield.

Spokane capitalized on Rowley’s 2-yard scoring run to take a two-touchdown lead. Tulsa marched to Spokane’s 13, where Allgood tossed three straight incomplete passes. On fourth down, he fired into double coverage and Williams snagged his fourth interception of the season.

The Shock sacked Allgood twice. The Talons had allowed two sacks in 10 previous games.

Spokane (8-2) visits Milwaukee, which is ranked No. 3 entering tonight’s game against No. 5 Chicago, next Saturday.