Shock use big second quarter to beat Rush

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Spokane Shock took control with four touchdowns in the second quarter and rolled to a 76-61 Arena Football League victory over the Chicago Rush on Sunday.

Spokane, ranked fifth in the first coaches’ poll, showed its resourcefulness in the second quarter to wipe out a 21-20 deficit. Terrance Sanders returned a kickoff 55 yards for a touchdown to put Spokane on top 27-21.

Chicago moved back in front with the first of Reggie Gray’s four touchdown receptions, but the Shock marched 47 yards, capped by former Washington State Cougar Jeffrey Solomon’s 2-yard scoring run, to take the lead for good, 28-27.

On Kenny Spencer’s ensuing kickoff, the ball hit the goal post and bounced into the hands of Paul Stephens at the 3. He trotted in for the score and Spokane had a two-touchdown lead.

After another Gray touchdown and Chicago’s unsuccessful onside kick, ex-Eastern Washington University standout Erik Meyer scored on a 1-yard run to give Spokane a 48-34 lead going in at halftime.

Meyer tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Adron Tennell early in the third quarter as Spokane extended its lead to 55-34. The teams traded touchdowns the rest of the way.

Meyer was 26 of 34 for 314 yards and seven touchdowns to four different receivers. Tennell had 10 catches for 118 yards and three touchdowns. Solomon had 95 receiving yards and two TDs. Steven Black and rookie Kamar Jorden each had one touchdown reception.

Sanders finished with 183 return yards on eight attempts.

“It felt great to get back in the end zone,” Sanders said. “I’ve got my sights on the next game trying to do that and even more.”

Spokane, top-ranked Arizona and No. 3 San Jose are off to 2-0 starts in the West Division. The Shock visit No. 9 Iowa, the only other 2-0 team in the National Conference, on Friday night in Des Moines.