Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

SoFi sequel: Bennett shines in battle of CFP QBs

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Saturday, 12 August 2023 23:20

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Stetson Bennett passed for 191 yards and a touchdown for the Los Angeles Rams in the stadium where he led Georgia to his second national championship seven months ago, notching his first NFL action in a 34-17 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night.

Former TCU quarterback Max Duggan passed for 19 yards and rushed for 20 yards for the Chargers as both quarterbacks got their first NFL action at SoFi Stadium, where Bennett's Bulldogs routed Duggan's Horned Frogs 65-7 in the College Football Playoff title game.

Both quarterbacks are vying for backup jobs with Los Angeles' two NFL teams, but Bennett's debut was much busier.

"I thought he did a nice job," Rams coach Sean McVay said of Bennett. "There were some tough situations there, and you could see the athleticism where he escaped."

Bennett entered the game early in the second quarter and immediately led a 16-play, 75-yard drive that included three near-interceptions and a sharp 11-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Puka Nacua.

"In that scoring drive, he was able to get into a rhythm," McVay said. "I thought he did a nice job of being able to exhaust some of his progressions. ... You could see that it was a step in the right direction."

Bennett concurred.

"I got more comfortable as the game went on," Bennett said. "I started to play football. ... There's some things to fix, but there's some things we can be proud of, too."

Bennett led two more scoring drives after halftime, finishing 17-for-29 with no interceptions.

"You live and you learn," Bennett said. "And I thought we executed well in some situations, and others, we didn't."

While Duggan threw only three passes and mostly handed off, a couple of his former-and-current teammates made big plays for the Chargers.

Former TCU star Derius Davis returned a second-quarter punt 81 yards for a touchdown. Quentin Johnston, the Bolts' first-round pick out of TCU, caught an 8-yard TD pass right before halftime.

Elijah Dotson, an undrafted rookie from Northern Colorado, had 37- and 40-yard TD runs in the fourth quarter for the Chargers.

Bennett took over after new veteran backup Brett Rypien ran the Rams' first three offensive series and completed only three passes. Bennett's first three throws were shaky -- two near-interceptions dropped by Chargers defenders and an incompletion erased by a penalty -- before he found Nacua for a 17-yard slant.

Bennett's pass was nearly picked again at the goal line, but after the drive was extended by a Chargers penalty, he expertly hit Nacua in traffic for his first score.

Bennett then led a 74-yard TD drive in the third quarter, making three straight impressive completions before veteran running back Royce Freeman carried it in.

Easton Stick, who took two snaps in his first four seasons as the Chargers' third-string quarterback, passed for 109 yards in the first half, including to scoring pass to Johnson.

"I think Easton's experience really showed in the two-minute drill," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. "He really managed the clock well, he made a couple of big plays with his legs."

The Chargers scored just one offensive touchdown in the first three quarters of new coordinator Kellen Moore's first game at the controls of the offense, but nearly every key starter didn't play.

Former TCU guard Steve Avila started for the Rams, who picked him in the second round. And ex-Georgia lineman Warren McClendon played in the second half for the Rams, who chose him in the fifth round. Both played in the CFP title game, as well.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 104 times

Soccer

Miami defender Freire out for season with ACL

Miami defender Freire out for season with ACL

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF defender Nicolás Freire is expected to miss the rema...

Salah vows to fight on at Liverpool amid exit talk

Salah vows to fight on at Liverpool amid exit talk

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMohamed Salah has given his strongest indication yet about his futu...

Sargent returns for USMNT's pre-Copa tuneups

Sargent returns for USMNT's pre-Copa tuneups

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUnited States men's national team manager Gregg Berhalter has named...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Wemby, Holmgren headline NBA All-Rookie team

Wemby, Holmgren headline NBA All-Rookie team

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama was a unanimou...

NBA playoffs: What will decide Celtics-Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals

NBA playoffs: What will decide Celtics-Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter the Indiana Pacers put together the best shooting performance...

Baseball

Brewers' Ross exits start early with strained back

Brewers' Ross exits start early with strained back

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Joe Ross left his start aga...

With Wolves in WCF, Twins move Friday game time

With Wolves in WCF, Twins move Friday game time

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIt's a good time to be a sports fan in the Twin Cities, but it make...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated