The San Jose SaberCats are getting their 2011 Arena Football League season started the right way. They lead the defending ArenaBowl Champion Spokane Shock by a score of 48-27 going into the second half. San Jose quarterback Mark Grieb already has four touchdowns spread among three receivers. The Shock seem, well, shocked at the developments. The SaberCats are essentially an expansion team right now, and they're up big on the 2010 champs.
Grieb has 135 yards on 10 completions with no interceptions against his four touchdown passes. He's getting good protection from the boys up front and is just carving up the Shock. Rodney Wright is once again his favorite target, with 72 yards off of five receptions and a touchdown. Receiver Nichir Flowers has two touchdown receptions on top of 23 yards. Samora Goodson has two catches for 40 yards and a score of his own. Chad Cook provided another offensive score with a two-yard rush.
Quarterback Kyle Rowley is providing most of the offensive power for the Shock, as they only have two rushing attempts thusfar. Rowley is 18-of-27 and looks a bit rusty out there, throwing two touchdowns, but also two interceptions. Both picks lead to points for the SaberCats, Courtney Smith and recent addition Dwight Mclean providing the defensive turnovers. Gabe Nyenhuis, the reigning defensive player of the year also has a sack for the SaberCats.
The name of the game is offensive efficiency and turnovers, and the SaberCats are providing both.