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Spokane's defense accounted for two sacks tonight in their win over the Fever. |
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May 30, 2009: Kennewick, WA: The Spokane Shock defeated the Tri-Cities Fever tonight in Kennewick, 61-20, for their ninth win of the season.
Tonight’s victory also marks their 15th consecutive road victory, the longest streak in af2 history.
“When we go on the road, we know it’s going to be up to us to get our emotions going because people don’t really have the crowds that we do back home in Spokane,” LB Kevin McCullough explained. “So, it’s all business when we go on the road.”
Things went from bad to worse for the struggling Fever (1-8) who turned the ball over on their first two possessions of the game.
On the Fever’s first offensive play from scrimmage WR Finas Rabb fumbled the ball which was recovered by Spokane’s DL Justin Warren. Spokane’s offense came back with a four play drive that capitalized on the turnover thanks to a one-yard TD run by QB Nick Davila. The Fever’s second drive ended on a Porter fumble that was recovered by Spokane’s DL Jeff Van Orsow who ran it in for a two-yard touchdown. After less than five minutes had passed in the first quarter, Spokane had already jumped out to a 14-0 lead.
Porter threw seven-straight incomplete passés that was snapped by a Sergio Gilliam interception, his fifth of the season. Porter was pulled in the second quarter after completing less than 50 percent with only one touchdown pass and one interception. He was replaced by rookie-QB Tomotsuna Inoue who threw an interception on his second pass attempt of the game that was caught by LB Kevin McCullough, his fourth of the season. Inoue quickly recovered on his second drive of the game where he completed a 38-yard touchdown strike to WR Tremayne Kirkland.
Kirkland led the Fever in receptions (8) receiving yards (137) and touchdowns (3). But Spokane’s defense was simply too much for the Fever’s offense. With three fumble recoveries and two interceptions, it added up to the lowest point total that Spokane had allowed for an opponent, so far this season.
Offensively, Spokane’s Nick Davila completed 19 of his 25 passes – including three touchdown passes – for 144 yards without an interception in only three quarters of play. Davila also added two rushing touchdowns. Back-up Casey Hansen came in and missed only one pass attempt (6/7) for 44 yards with one touchdown.
“Casey is a good quarterback – he can start for almost any team in this league,” Head Coach Adam Shackleford explained. “He comes in and he is very calm and consistent. He did exactly what we expected him to do.”
WR Raul Vijil, Charles Dillon, and Andy Olson all tied for the team lead with eight receptions. Vijil, however, lead the team in receiving yards (79) and touchdown receptions (2).
Spokane has its second bye week of the season next week but will return to action when they travel to Stockton to take on the Lightening. The Shock will return home on June 20th when they host the Fever for their final meeting of the season.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE GAME THROUGH THE LENS OF BRANDON HANSEN.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
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Spokane Shock....... 21 21 12 7 - 61
Tri-Cities Fever.... 7 13 0 0 - 20
