SPOKANE - The Spokane Shock defeated the Chicago Rush 63-49 Friday, in front of a sold-out crowd at the Spokane Arena in its home debut on the NFL Network.
With the win, Spokane (13-2) has secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the ArenaBowl Championship.
Spokane got things going by scoring on its first drive of the game with a 12-yard touchdown reception by offensive lineman Ed Ta'amu from Kyle Rowley. Chicago quickly fired right back with a two-play drive that was capped off with a 35-yard touchdown reception by Syvelle Newton, the Offensive Player of the Game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Mervin Brookins returned it 56 yards for the touchdown. The offensive fireworks continued from both squads for the remainder of the first half. Chicago's J.J. Raterink ended the first half with four passing touchdowns, while Spokane's Rowley ended the first half with five. Both quarterbacks completed 75% of their passes in the first half.
While the offense grabbed the headlines in the first half, it was Spokane's defense that came up with two critical stops in the second half.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Shock defense came up with a big goal line stand, turning Chicago away on three consecutive rushing attempts inside the five-yard line. Then, on fourth down, Raterink's pass for Newton sailed out of the endzone for the first defensive stop of the game. Spokane's offense took over and capped off a four-play, 49-yard drive with a circus touchdown reception by Greg Orton. Orton's touchdown gave Spokane a 14-point lead with just under a minute left in the game.
But Chicago's offense would not go away quietly. On the ensuing drive, Raterink put Chicago's offense in scoring position once again, taking them to the four-yard line. The Shock's stingy defense turned away the Rush on their first three attempts to hit pay dirt. And on fourth and goal, Antwan Marsh came up with the interception that sealed the win for Spokane.
The Shock has now won eleven straight games, since a May 1st loss at home to the Cleveland Gladiators.
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