Shock on roll with playoffs up next

PORTLAND – Spokane will take a five-game winning streak into the Arena Football League playoffs.

Back-up quarterback Brian Zbydniewski tossed five touchdown passes and Terrance Sanders scored on an interception return to fuel Spokane’s 45-40 victory over Portland in the regular-season finale Saturday at the Moda Center.

Spokane has won its last five and moved its record to 3-0 against the Thunder. The Shock (11-7) elected to rest starting quarterback Erik Meyer and Portland (5-13) did the same with Kyle Rowley.

“That was a frustrating football game,” Shock coach Andy Olson said in a postgame radio interview. “At the end the defense stepped up, another win, keep the train rolling.”

Zbydniewski overcame three turnovers to help the Shock rally out of a 27-17 deficit in the third quarter. He tossed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Rashaad Carter to cut Portland’s lead to 27-24.

Sanders intercepted a Darron Thomas’ pass and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown to give Spokane the lead early in the fourth quarter. Sanders has returned three of his 11 interceptions for scores this season.

Zbydniewski connected with Adron Tennell for a 13-yard touchdown pass to extend Spokane’s lead to 38-27.

Portland closed within five in the final minute but Spokane’s Terence Moore recovered an onside kick and the Shock ran out the clock.

Zbydniewski is 2-3 as a starter, both victories coming against Portland. He passed for 259 yards and was intercepted twice. Carter led the receivers with seven catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

“We were off in the first half,” Zbydniewski said. “The second half we kind of clicked and spread the ball around.”

Third-seeded Spokane will open the playoffs on the road against No. 2 San Jose (13-5) next Saturday.