Shock Defeat Outlaws, 51-34

Aug. 9,2015
LAS VEGAS – The Spokane Shock (7-11) defeated the Las Vegas Outlaws (5-12-1) on the road in the regular season finale, 51-34, Saturday night.
The opening quarter showed a slow start for the Shock, who gave up the first score of the game in just two plays, as Las Vegas quarterback Sean Brackett connected with receiver LaDon Hudson for a 45-yard score. The two teams would then trade possessions, as each team suffered a turnover on downs before Spokane tied the game on an eight-yard pass from quarterback Arvell Nelson to receiver Jabin Sambrano. Spokane then held Las Vegas to another failed fourth down attempt as Shock defensive lineman Micah King recorded a sack, setting up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to receiver Rashaad Carter to take the 14-7 lead to end the quarter.
The Shock would go on to outscore the Outlaws 23-7 in the second quarter, including 16-points in the final minute of play.
Las Vegas continued their drive from the end of the first quarter and capped off a scoring drive with a four-yard rush by Hudson to tie the game at 14-14. Shock defensive end James Ruffin then recorded a safety that would then set up an eight-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Sambrano on Spokane’s next possession. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced away from the Outlaws return man and was recovered by Shock linebacker Kevin McCullough to give Spokane the 30-14 lead going into halftime.
The two teams would trade scores to open the third quarter of play. Nelson connected with Sambrano for a 39-yard touchdown before the Outlaws responded with an eight-yard rush by Brackett. The Las Vegas defense held the Shock to a turnover on downs on the Spokane 14-yard line, but an interception by Shock defensive back Ruschard Dodd-Masters in the end zone would close out the quarter with Spokane leading 37-21.
Spokane continued their third quarter drive into the final quarter of play, but a Nelson pass was intercepted by Outlaws defensive back Eddie Moten, halting the Shock’s momentum. Las Vegas would find the end zone on an 11-yard pass from Brackett to Clinton Solomon, but a failed two-point attempt would leave them trailing 27-37. After a failed onside kick attempt by the Outlaws, the Shock took advantage of the short field and scored on a one-yard rush by Nelson to extend their lead back to three scores. Each team would score once more on the night, but the early Spokane lead would allow the Shock to run out the clock and seal the 51-34 victory.
The Shock win locks the team into the No. 3 seed in the National Conference. Spokane will go on the road for the first round of the 2015 AFL playoffs to face the Arizona Rattlers on Saturday, August 15.