Shock rout Utah outdoors
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 5 months AGO
<p>Terrance Sanders had kickoff returns of 40 and 53 yards for the Spokane Shock, setting up a couple of short-field touchdown drives in the Shock's 76-49 victory over the Utah Blaze on Saturday night at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane, in the first outdoor arena football game.</p>
SPOKANE - After having to battle back from a slow start, the sun finally shined on the Spokane Shock in their attempt to defend their Arena Football League championship.
Adron Tennell had 10 receptions for 82 yards and five touchdowns as the Shock defeated the Utah Blaze 76-49 in the AFL's first regular season outdoor football game in front of a franchise-record crowd of 16,233 at Joe Albi Stadium on Saturday night.
Spokane (8-8) moved into fourth place in the Western Conference standings, one game ahead of Utah (7-9) with two games remaining.
Spokane will host San Jose (7-9) next Saturday. San Jose defeated Orlando 60-40 on Saturday.
The Shock can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Tulsa loss against Orlando.
Spokane's Erik Meyer completed 15 of 19 passes for 166 yards and ran for two touchdowns. Brandon Thompkins had four catches for 67 yards.
Todd Hammel, starting in place of AFL touchdown leader Tommy Grady for Utah, completed 23 of 34 passes for 258 yards and five touchdowns, but had two second-half interceptions.
Utah 14 21 7 7 - 49
Spokane 14 35 13 14 - 76
Spo - Antwan Marsh 3 run (Taylor Rowan kick)
Utah - Aaron Lesue 13 pass from Todd Hammel (Kyle Brotzman kick)
Spo - Adron Tennell 6 pass from Erik Meyer (Rowan kick)
Utah - Alvan Robinson 4 pass from Hammel (Brotzman kick)
Spo - Meyer 3 run (Rowan kick)
Spo - Chas Gessner 24 pass from Meyer (Rowan kick)
Utah - Ben Stallings 1 run (Brotzman kick)
Spo - Brandon Thompkins 45 pass from Meyer (Rowan kick)
Utah - Lesue 15 pass from Hammel (Brotzman kick)
Spo - Tennell 11 pass from Meyer (Rowan kick)
Utah - Michael Preston 39 pass from Hammel (Brotzman kick)
Spo - Emery Sammons 11 pass from Meyer (Rowan kick)
Spo - Tennell 6 pass from Meyer (kick failed)
Utah - Stallings 1 run (Brotzman kick)
Spo - Meyer 1 run (Rowan kick)
Spo - Tennell 25 pass from Rowley (Rowan kick)
Utah - Preston 37 pass from Hammel (Brotzman kick)
Spo - Tennell 7 pass from Kyle Rowley (Rowan kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - Utah, Stallings 8-44, Michael 1-23. Spo, Meyer 4-17, Sammons 2-5, Marsh 3-2, Rowley 2-1.
PASSING - Utah, Hammel, 23-34-2-258. Spo, Meyer, 15-19-0-166, Rowley, 5-8-0-52.
RECEIVING - Utah, Lesue, 10-100, Preston, 9-132, Robinson, 4-26. Spo, Tennell, 10-82, Thompkins, 4-67, Sammons, 4-42, Gessner, 2-27.