Shock outlast Las Vegas for first road win

Spokane got back into the win column Saturday but not without some anxious moments in the closing minutes. The visiting Shock dominated for 48 minutes but their 35-point fourth-quarter lead melted to seven before they hung on for a 63-56 Arena Football League victory over Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center. Spokane (3-5) entertains Arizona on Saturday. Shock quarterback Warren Smith shook off a rough outing last Saturday by passing for 342 yards and seven touchdowns. He added one rushing touchdown. Anthony Amos had eight catches for 106 yards and three touchdowns. Nick Truesdell collected seven receptions for 111 yards and one TD and Rashaad Carter added nine catches for 96 and two scores. Jack linebacker Kevin McCullough recovered a fumble in the end zone after Micah King sacked J.J. Raterink and knocked the football loose. It was McCullough’s first game in a Shock uniform since being traded away in 2010. The Shock led 35-14 at half. They moved on top 56-21 with 13:21 remaining on Samuel Charles’ touchdown reception. But a Spokane rout quickly turned interesting as Las Vegas scored three touchdowns in four minutes. The rally started when reserve quarterback Sean Brackett, who entered after King’s hit sent Raterink to the sidelines, tossed a touchdown pass to Jomo Wilson. Smith made one of his few mistakes as Ray Little picked off a pass and returned it 8 yards for a touchdown. Las Vegas (3-5) was back on offense after recovering a bar-ball kickoff and Brackett hit Jason Willis for a 7-yard score, trimming Spokane’s lead to 56-42. Smith and Amos connected for their third touchdown, but Tanner Varner’s 56-yard kickoff return cut Spokane’s lead to 63-49 with 4 minutes remaining. Taylor Rowan missed a 24-yard field-goal attempt and Willis’ touchdown catch with 12 seconds left pulled the Outlaws within seven. Carter recovered the ensuing onside kick as the Shock secured their first road win in four tries.