Sanders INT seals victory
SPOKANE - Staring a fourth straight loss in the eyes, Spokane Shock defensive back Terrance Sanders let his hands do the talking in the final 26.1 seconds on Friday night.
Sanders intercepted a Danny Southwick pass at the Shock 6-yard line, helping Spokane hang on and defeat the expansion Portland Thunder 58-48 in Arena Football League play in front of 8,535 at the Spokane Arena.
Spokane (6-5) had lost its previous three games entering Friday's game and trailed 14-7 after the first quarter before reeling off 27 points in the second to take a 34-27 halftime lead.
Portland falls to 3-8.
Brian Zybdniewski threw for 273 yards and five touchdowns in his second straight start for Spokane.
James Ruffin had two sacks to give him 9.5 on the season for Spokane, a new franchise high.
Spokane led 41-34 after the third quarter. Spokane is 47-3 all-time when leading after the third.
Sanders' interception came with Portland driving and the Shock leading 55-48. Taylor Rowan capped the scoring for Spokane with a 46-yard field goal with 7.2 seconds left.
Spokane beat Portland 55-27 in the previous matchup April 12 in Spokane.
Mike Washington led Spokane in receiving, finishing with 11 catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Spokane travels to Jacksonville next Saturday at noon.
Portland 14 13 7 14 - 48
Spokane 7 27 7 17 - 58
First quarter
Spo - Patrick Afif 2 fumble return (Taylor Rowan kick), 5:39
Port - Eric Rogers 4 pass from Danny Southwick (Alex Fambrough kick), 3:35
Port - Rogers 8 pass from Southwick (Fambrough kick), 2:42
Second quarter
Spo - Nick Truesdell 4 pass from Brian Zbydniewski (Rowan kick), 14:48
Port - Jamar Howard 16 pass from Southwick (Fambrough kick), 11:43
Spo - Truesdell 27 pass from Zbydniewski (Rowan kick), 10:30
Spo - Zbydniewski 2 run (kick failed), 4:56
Spo - Mike Washington 22 pass from Zbydniewski (Rowan kick), 3:17
Port - Darron Thomas 2 run (kick failed), :32
Third quarter
Port - Alvance Robinson 6 pass from Southwick (Fambrough kick), 10:21
Spo - Washington 26 pass from Zbydniewski (Rowan kick), :40
Fourth quarter
Port - Rogers 14 pass from Southwick (Fambrough kick), 11:40
Spo - Rashaad Carter 26 pass from Zbydniewski (Rowan kick), 9:56
Spo - Terrance Moore 15 fumble return (Rowan kick), 6:55
Port - Jeffrey Soloman 18 pass from Southwick (Fambrough kick), 3:27
Spo - FG Rowan 46, :07
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - Port, Thomas 4-10, Southwick 2-13. Spo, Carter 1-(-2), Zbydniewski 2-2.
PASSING - Port, Thomas 1-3-0-23, Southwick 25-36-3-252. Spo, Zbydniewski 23-36-1-273.
RECEIVING - Port, Howard 2-29, Rogers 13-138, Soloman 3-50, Robinson 7-57, Danels 1-1. Spo, Washington 11-134, Joseph 1-5, Carter 5-63, Jackson 1-16, Gallington 1-4, Truesdell 4-51.