Post by David on Jul 31, 2015 10:19:04 GMT -8
Spokane Shock at Cleveland Gladiators
What: Having clinched a berth in the playoffs, the Shock look to keep the momentum going against the struggling Gladiators.
When: Saturday, August 1, 4 p.m. (PT).
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Shock Media: Radio - 700/1080 AM ESPN.
National Media: Stream - ESPN3.
Series History: Cleveland leads 3-2.
Note: The home team is 0-5 all time.
Forum: To comment, please login or register.
HELPFUL LINKS
Arena Football League Schedule and Results 2015
Spokane Shock Schedule 2015
The Shock are 6-10 overall, 2-5 on the road and 1-2 in inter-conference play. Spokane is coming off a 42-40 home win over the Portland Thunder on July 25. They are averaging 47.1 points per game (8th in the AFL) and are allowing 54.9 points per game (12th). The Shock are second in the Pacific Division and third in the National Conference.
The Gladiators are 7-9 overall, 2-5 at home and 1-2 in inter-conference play. Cleveland is coming off a Bye, prior to which they suffered a 58-65 road loss to the Orlando Predators on July 18. They are averaging 53.8 points per game (6th) and are allowing 54.3 (10th) points per game. The Gladiators are second in the Eastern Division and fourth in the American Conference.
BREAKDOWN
Yards per Game - Shock 286.2; Gladiators 287.3
3rd Down Conversion - Shock 46.1%; Gladiators 43.4%
4th Down Conversion - Shock 40.9%; Gladiators 53.7%
Total Tackles - Shock 492; Gladiators 464
Tackles for Loss - Shock 28; Gladiators 32
Total Sacks - Shock 23; Gladiators 24
Fumbles - Shock 17; Gladiators 11
Interceptions - Shock 14; Gladiators 11
SPOKANE SHOCK
Shock WR Anthony Amos (image credit: Zach Edwards Photography/Spokane Shock)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Braylon Bell (WR)
2 - Jabin Sambrano (WR)
3 - Ruschard Dodd-Masters (DB)
5 - Anthony Amos (WR)
6 - Taylor Rowan (K)
8 - Warren Smith (QB)
9 - Sergio Gilliam (DB)
11 - Micah King (MLB)
12 - Arvell Nelson (QB/LB)
13 - Rashaad Carter (WR)
23 - Jeff Richards (DB)
26 - Mike McMillan (DB)
31 - John Setzer (DB)
36 - Bryson Kelly (NG/FB)
42 - Rory Nixon (FB)
44 - James Ruffin (DE)
50 - Kevin McCullough (JLB)
51 - Sam Tupua (OL)
56 - Derrick Summers (DE)
66 - Deveric Gallington (FB/OL)
67 - Terrance Taylor (NG)
74 - Larry Banks (OL)
75 - Patrick Afif (OL)
81 - Nick Truesdell (WR)
Andy Olson - Head Coach
Travis Crusenberry - Defensive Coordinator
Will Mulder - Defensive Backs Coach
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Warren Smith 1,816
Passing TDs - Warren Smith 32
Rushing Yards - Warren Smith 119
Rushing TD's - Bryson Kelly/Arvell Nelson 6
Receptions - Anthony Amos 101
Receiving Yards - Anthony Amos 1,109
Receiving TDs - Nick Truesdell 22
Tackles - Ruschard Dodd-Masters 69
Sacks - James Ruffin 9.0
Interceptions - Mike McMillan 5
KO Return Ave - Ruschard Dodd-Masters 18.3
* not on active roster
CLEVELAND GLADIATORS
Gladiators QB Shane Austin (image credit: Gus Chan / The Plain Dealer)
ROSTER
# - name (pos)
1 - Devon Dace (DB)
2 - Dominic Jones (DB)
4 - Jeramie Richardson (DE)
5 - Joe Phinisee (DB)
6 - Thyron Lewis (WR)
10 - Shane Austin (QB)
11 - Amarri Jackson (WR)
14 - Chris Dieker (QB)
15 - Andy Cruse (WR)
16 - Dominick Goodman (WR)
17 - Collin Taylor (WR)
19 - Adrian Trevino (K)
33 - Brian Brikowski (DE)
44 - Mike Alston (DE)
56 - Willie McGinnis (NG)
71 - C.J. Cobb (OL)
72 - Phillipkeith Manley (OL)
77 - Jayson Palmgren (OL)
79 - Kitt O'Brien (OL)
96 - Randy Colling (NG)
?? - Adrian Battles (OL)
?? - Marrio Norman (DB)
?? - Austin Teitsma (NG)
?? - Kenny Veal (DB)
Steve Thonn - Head Coach
Ron James - Defensive Coordinator
Mike Smith - Line Coach
Brandon Taylor - Defensive Backs Coach
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing Yards - Shane Austin 4,240
Passing TDs - Shane Austin 92
Rushing Yards - Shane Austin 157
Rushing TD's - Shane Austin 10
Receptions - Dominick Goodman, 130
Receiving Yards - Collin Taylor 1,381
Receiving TDs - Collin Taylor 36
Tackles - Dominic Jones 68
Sacks - Willie McGinnis 7.5
Interceptions - Joe Phinisee 4
KO Return Ave - Amarri Jackson 20.2
* not on active roster
DAVID'S TAKES
SPOKANE:
For the first time in the 2015 season, Spokane has won back-to-back games. After finishing nail biter endings to the Arizona Rattlers and the Portland Thunder, the Shock hit the road and visit Cleveland. Since entering the AFL in 2010, the Shock have a 2-3 record against the Gladiators but they're 2-0 playing at Quicken Loans Arena. Although the Shock clinched a playoff berth, there's plenty to play for in the final two weeks of the regular season, including securing the #3 seed in the National Conference playoffs. Andy Olson has gone on record that he would rather play Arizona in the playoffs, whom the Shock have had greater success playing against as opposed to San Jose. What's helped them leapfrog over Las Vegas in the playoff race is the emergence of the running game, led by QB Arvell Nelson and newly promoted FB Bryson Kelly. In the two-game winning streak, the Shock have rushed the ball 39 times, almost as many attempts the team has had in the six games prior. The threat of the ground game has opened up opportunities in the passing game, allowing Spokane to have more success on offense. Pair that with an improved defense that has allowed less than 45 points in the last three games, the Shock are appearing to heat up at the right time.
Player to Watch: Anthony Amos (WR)
The return of Rashaad Carter, who missed six games mid-season with a thumb injury, and the establishment of the run game has greatly helped Amos, who has benefited by catching 20 passes for 235 yards and 4 touchdowns over the last two games. Amos, who leads the Shock with 101 catches and 1,109 yards, is going to have to have another big game against the talented Cleveland defense. Last week, the majority of Amos's receptions came on the short screen pass. In fact, most of the passing game were short passes or focused on Nick Truesdell in goal line situations. Amos has been fantastic, but he needs to step up with some deep passes and getting open in the red zone. Amos will likely lead the Shock in receptions this Saturday, but we'll see if it's a majority of short passes or if he'll stretch the defense to create opportunities for Truesdell, Carter, and the ground combo of Nelson/Kelly.
CLEVELAND:
Despite retaining a good chunk of the 2014 roster that led them to a surprising ArenaBowl run, the Gladiators look nothing like the team that took the league by storm. The Gladiators have struggled this season and are currently on a 4-game losing streak. Despite their 7-9 record, their wins haven't been overly impressive; outside of beating Orlando, they've beaten sub .500 teams Tampa Bay (x2), New Orleans (x3) and Las Vegas. The pressure will be on Cleveland, as a win against Spokane will secure a playoff berth and eliminate the Storm. Their WR core of Dominique Goodman (130 receptions for 1,231 yards and 27 touchdowns), Collin Taylor (27 receptions for 1,381 yards and 36 touchdowns) and Amarri Jackson (86 receptions for 1,116 yards and 24 touchdowns will keep the Shock defensive backs busy.
Player to Watch: Shane Austin (QB)
In 2014, Shane Austin seemingly came out of nowhere when he replaced struggling QB Chris Dieker in the first two games of the regular season. After that Austin claimed the job and went on to have a magical season, winning three games against Philadelphia at the last second and throwing for 4,478 yards, 99 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. However, Austin had an interception problem, having multiple interceptions in seven games last season, including 5 in the Divisional Round and 4 in ArenaBowl XXVII. This year, Austin has only 4 multi-interception games, but the problem is that Cleveland hasn't been able to overcome the turnovers, resulting in more losses in 2015. Austin isn't necessarily a bad quarterback (you don't throw 92 touchdowns if you aren't good), but his interceptions are killer (as Portland fans would know). Austin has an opportunity this week to not be intercepted against a Spokane defense that has struggled to get interceptions this season, especially with all the talent Cleveland has at wide receiver, but he has to be careful not to be overconfident or else the Shock defense will be able to get those elusive interceptions.
QUOTABLE
Shock head coach Andy Olson on the Shock's first quarter struggles the past two games.
“We have to figure out a way to come out a little more on fire. We can’t continue to expect to win games getting down 20-7 every time we step on the field."
Shock NG/FB Bryson Kelly on the emerging ground game.
“I think we control the game completely when we can consistently control the ball. It makes people in the mid level and back level (of the defense) have to worry about what’s going on in the trenches."
FEATURED TWEETS
EXTRA
Our retrospect on the past 10 years of Spokane Shock arena football focuses on the 2008 campaign. Current Rattlers QB Nick Davila made his arena football debut this season and helped contribute to Spokane's 15-1 record, including hosting ArenaCup IX. Despite being heavily favored against the Tennessee Valley Vipers, the Shock would find itself in a tight game rated as the greatest af2 game ever played. Check out our season summary of the 2008 squad.
The final play of ArenaCup IX (image credit: the Spokesman-Review)
To comment on this thread and others on this forum, please login or register.
Graphic courtesy of David.
