Shock rally in 4th, block field goal to preserve win
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 7 months AGO
ORLANDO, Fla. - Spokane quarterback Kyle Rowley hit Raul Vijil with a 6-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds remaining as the Shock defeated the Orlando Predators 53-52 in front of a crowd of 10,346 at Amway Arena on Saturday in Arena Football League action.
Spokane (7-2) defensive lineman Jerry Turner blocked a 15-yard field goal attempt by Orlando's (4-5) Carlos Martinez to preserve the Shock's fourth straight win.
Spokane, ranked No. 2 in this week's league coaches poll, trailed 52-40 after three quarters before shutting out the Predators in the fourth.
Vijil had 11 catches for 134 yards and four touchdowns and Huey Whittaker followed with 11 catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Vijil caught two TD passes in the fourth quarter. An interception by linebacker Antwan Marsh set up the go-ahead score.
Rowley finished with 305 yards and six touchdowns. It was his fifth 300-yard passing day of the season. He was picked off three times, twice by Rayshawn Kizer.
Turner and Richard Clebert each had sacks for the Shock.
Spokane hosts Tulsa on Friday at the Spokane Arena. It will be the first meeting of the two teams since last year's Western Conference championship game.
Spokane 13 14 13 13 - 53
Orlando 0 24 28 0 - 52
Spo - Clay Harrell 3 run (kick failed)
Spo - Raul Vijil 12 pass from Kyle Rowley (Taylor Rowan kick)
Orl - Derrick Lewis 9 pass from Nick Hill (Carlos Martinez kick)
Spo - Huey Whittaker 1 run (Rowan kick)
Orl - James Lynch 1 run (Martinez kick)
Spo - Vijil 13 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)
Orl - Hill 11 run (Martinez kick)
Orl - Martinez 24 field goal
Orl - Josh Bush 4 run (Martinez kick)
Orl - Kenny McEntyre 47 interception return (Martinez kick)
Spo - Whittaker 8 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)
Orl - Bush 23 pass from Hill (Martinez kick)
Spo - Whittaker 12 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)
Orl - McEntyre 40 kickoff return (Martinez kick)
Spo - Vijil 1 pass from Rowley (pass failed)
Spo - Vijil 6 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - Spo, Rowley 2-7, Harrell 2-6, Whittaker 2-3. Orl, Hill 1-11, Lynch 2-4, Bush 1-4.
PASSING - Spo, Rowley 28-40-3-305. Orl, Hill 18-34-1-207.
RECEIVING - Spo, Vijil 11-134, Whittaker 11-122, Kauleinamoku 4-37, Payne 2-12. Orl, Toliver 5-95, Lewis 6-53, Bush 6-51, Robinson 1-8.