Command
quarterback Matt Gutierrez threw for 239 yards, four touchdowns and
rushed for another to give Kansas City (3-14) their first lead of the
game with 6:43 left in the fourth quarter. A thrilling finish would
unfold as the Spokane Shock (9-8) etched one final touchdown with 12
seconds left in the game. The subsequent two-point conversion gave the
Shock a one-point lead, 49-48. A missed KC field goal attempt as time
expired gave Spokane the victory in front of 3,764 fans Saturday night
at Sprint Center.
“It’s
never just one play, but that was a tough loss,” Command head coach
Danton Barto said on the missed field goal to end the game. “I’m proud
of these guys. They played their hearts out and battled their butts off
tonight.” The Sprint crowd tried to fuel the home team as well. “The
one thing I love about KC, we had a great turnout, a lot of kids, a lot
of energy, and it was fun,” said Barto.
Though
Kansas City didn’t earn a first down until 11:58 in the second quarter,
Command QB Gutierrez settled in and connected with Samie Parker for his
first touchdown in front the home crowd to keep the Command close, 14-7
at the 11:18 mark. Spokane quarterback Kyle Rowley threw a quick
touchdown to Rod Harper to go up 21-7, but on the ensuing kickoff
Command special teams weapon Jackie Chambers broke free for a 38 yard
kickoff return; giving KC their best starting field position of the
game. Command fullback Trey Bryant took advantage of a wide open left
side of the field and rushed in for a quick 12 yard touchdown; once
again bringing KC within one score, 21-14.
Spokane
QB Rowley was in line for another touchdown to Jefferey Solomon when
Command DB Sergio Gilliam forced a fumble, and KC QB Gutierrez converted
the possession into points connecting with Parker for his second
touchdown.
Spokane
quarterback Kyle Rowley connected with Adron Tennell for his third
touchdown in the first half with just 17 seconds left in the second
quarter and headed into the locker room with a halftime lead of 28-21.
Rowley finished the game with 320 yards passing and seven touchdowns.
Command
defense kept the pressure on Spokane, forcing a Shock turnover at the
goal line on the first possession of the third quarter which Kansas City
again converted into positive points with fullback Trey Bryant’s second rushing touchdown of the game, bringing his season total to six.
The
fourth quarter provided a thrilling finish as Armand Robinson’s return
from IR delivered two touchdown catches from Gutierrez and gave Kansas
City their first lead of the game, 42-41 with 6:43 left in the fourth
quarter. When Spokane turned the ball over on downs and Gutierrez rushed
for a touchdown, it looked as if KC would hold on to the win. However,
there was enough time on the clock and Shock QB Rowley connected with
Jefferey Solomon for a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion
gave Spokane a one point lead with just 12 seconds remaining in the
game. Kansas City would get one final opportunity, but a missed 47 yard
field goal attempt as time expired gave the Shock the victory.
On
his return from injured reserve, Robinson said “I’m just excited to be
back. I’ve never missed a game with an injury, and I was happy to be out
there with my team. The fact that the last time we played Spokane they
beat us by almost 30, so the fact that we were that close (to winning), I
was just proud to be a part of the game and of the guys.”
Chambers
has recorded at least 100 kickoff return yards in each of the last six
games; and his 116 kickoff return yards on Saturday brings his season
total to 1,019; breaking the single-season franchise record of 983, set
by Jerel Myers in 2008. Command DB Rashad Barksdale also broke his own
single-game record for tackles, notching 15 total tackles against
Spokane.
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