Shocking turn of events
Even in arena football, where scores routinely reach the 60s, games are often won or lost up front.
Bakersfield, which came in with one of the top-rated defenses in arenafootball2, did nothing to harm its reputation, unleashing a fierce pass rush and efficient offense to trample Spokane 52-20 in front of a capacity crowd of 10,187 Saturday at the Spokane Arena.
The Blitz, who avenged a 49-45 loss to Spokane a month ago, never trailed in posting their third consecutive double-digit win. Many of the fans bolted for the exits after Shock quarterback Alex Neist threw his second interception with 8:30 left in the fourth quarter and Bakersfield leading 45-14.
The victory knocked Spokane (4-1) from the unbeaten ranks and into a first-place tie with Bakersfield (4-1) in the National Conference West Division. Spokane, which was ranked No. 3 in the latest coaches’ poll, visits Everett on Friday. Bakersfield entertains Rio Grande.
“We looked like an expansion team playing its first game, not its fifth game,” Shock coach Chris Siegfried said. “I think it puts things into perspective for a lot of guys and gets them down off that high horse a little bit thinking that they’re the third-best team in this league. We’re capable of being one of the best teams, but not playing like we did tonight.”
Spokane had difficulty containing Bakersfield’s three-man front, particularly end Jerry Turner, who spent most of the evening in the Shock backfield. Even when Neist and backup quarterback Brian Zbydniewski had time to throw, they couldn’t connect with open receivers.
“Their front was outstanding and we as a whole didn’t make plays on offense,” said Neist, who finished 9 of 27 for 81 yards. “When you can’t make plays, you can’t score points and you can’t win games.”
Neist was pulled after the first two series, but Zbydniewski fared no better as he misfired on his first four passes. Neist played the entire second half.
“Jerry’s been like that all year,” Blitz coach Gary Compton said, “but you have to give credit to all those guys up front. As a quarterback, anytime there’s pressure at your feet, you can get rattled in a hurry.”
The Shock didn’t score until midway through the second quarter. Bakersfield immediately responded when quarterback Mike Wall floated a 5-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Munson for a 20-7 lead. Wall was 6 of 7 on the 42-yard scoring drive.
Spokane’s five first-half possessions resulted in a blocked field-goal attempt, a lone touchdown, an incomplete pass on fourth down and a pair of interceptions, both in Bakersfield’s end zone.
The Blitz scored on their first four possessions of the second half, three of which started deep in Shock territory, to improve to 4-0 on the road this season.
Wall finished 18 of 26 for 158 yards and five touchdowns. Eric Mahanke, Munson and Rennard Reynolds each had two TD receptions. Mahanke had a team-high eight catches for 64 yards.
Bakersfield’s Darnell Crowder, Joshua Robinson and Alex Wallace each had interceptions. Wallace has an af2-leading six picks this season.
“You hate to disappoint the fans like that because we had such a good crowd, but I hope they stick with us,” Neist said. “We’re going to get better.”
Spokane finished with a season-low 155 total yards. Zbydniewski was just 6 of 18 for 60 yards and one interception.
“You can’t win if you don’t protect the quarterback,” Siegfried said. “We have some great receivers that were running open most of the night, but if you don’t have time to throw the ball and don’t make throws when you have time. … They were in our quarterback’s face all night.”