Here are the games notes from the Raiders preseason opener against the the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium, presented by Microsoft Surface.
Raiders Win Preseason Opener at Arizona
- The Raiders defeated Arizona by a score of 31-10, giving the team its first victory of the preseason and bringing their record to 1-0.
- The win marks the Raiders' first victory against the Cardinals in the preseason since Aug. 11, 2007 when the team won 27-23 in Oakland.
NFL Debuts
- RB DeAndré Washingtonkicked off his career with a 31-yard return on the opening kickoff. Washington saw action in the Raiders' backfield as he managed eight carries for 43 yards (5.4 yard avg.) and finished with a long of 25 yards.
- WR Johnny Holtonsaw his first action in the NFL primarily on special teams, returning a kickoff 43 yards leading to a Raiders field goal. Holton**also added a fumble recovery to his stats, leading to a touchdown on the very next play from scrimmage.
- S Karl Joseph *andDE Jihad Ward *were the only two players of the Raiders 2016 rookie class to start on either side of the ball, each totaling one tackle a piece for the defense.
- QB Connor Cook *took the field for the first time in the third quarter, leading a four-play 91-yard drive, lasting 2:08, that was capped by aRB*George Atkinson IIItouchdown run. Cook finished with 71 yards on 7-of-11 passing attempts, earning an 82.0 passer rating and a game-high 63.6 completion percentage.
- LB/DE James Cowserand LB Cory Jamesfinished tied for second on the team in tackles, each tallying five a piece for the Raiders defense.
- DL Drew Iddingsnotched the only sack of the game, a six-yard loss when taking down QB Jake Coker, ending the drive for the Cardinals late in the fourth quarter.
Points Off Turnovers Leads To Fast Start
- LB Kory Toomer forced a fumble on a first quarter punt, recovered by WR Johnny Holton. On the following play, TE Clive Walford hauled in a 19-yard reception that would give the Raiders a 7-3 lead over the Cardinals with 1:19 to go in the first quarter.
- Following a Raiders touchdown, S Nate Allenpicked off an errant pass from QB Drew Stanton on the Cardinals' first play of the series. Two plays later, the Raiders capitalized on a second first-quarter turnover when WR Andre Holmesfound the end zone.
- The 14 points off turnovers came in a span of 59 seconds, to give the Raiders a 17-3 lead entering the second quarter.
George Leads Rushing Attack
- On his first carry, RB George Atkinson III bounced right, eluding a defender and made his way up the sideline for a 53-yard touchdown run to give the Raiders a 24-10 lead with 55 seconds left in the third quarter.
- Atkinson III found the end zone again with less than four minutes left in the game on a 35-yard rush up the left side, sealing the Raiders' victory.
- Atkinson III finished the night as the game's leading rusher, totaling 97 yards on five carries (19.4 avg.) with two touchdowns.
- The team finished with a total of 166 yards on the ground on 21 carries (7.9 yard avg.) and two touchdowns.
McGloin Finds The End Zone Early
- QB Matt McGloin ended his 2016 debut with 41 yards on 5-of-11 passing attempts, two touchdowns and a game-high passer rating of 95.1.
- Following a Cardinals turnover, McGloin threw an immediate strike to TE Clive Walford on the ensuing play, a 19-yard pass with 1:19 left in the first quarter.
- On the ensuing Raiders drive following an interception by S Nate Allen, McGloin connected with WR Andre Holmeswith 10 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
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Offensive Line Keeps Quarterbacks Clean**
- The Raiders offensive line held off the Cardinals defense, keeping all three quarterbacks upright throughout the preseason opener.
Toomer Leads Team In Tackles
- LB Korey Toomer finished the day with a team-high seven tackles (five solo), and added a forced fumble on special teams that resulted in a Raiders touchdown two plays later.
King Pins Cardinals Deep
- P Marquette Kingpunted eight times for an impressive 409 yards (51.1 yard avg.), dropping three punts inside the 20-yard line.
Crabtree Hauls In Both Targets
- WR Michael Crabtree hauled in a pair of first-quarter receptions for a total of 38 yards in his two series of action. His 38 yards receiving led all receivers in the first half of play.
K Sebastian Janikowski
- In his only action of the night, K Sebastian Janikowski split the uprights from 53 yards in what were the Raiders first points of the game. The 53-yarder marks Janikowski's* *longest preseason field goal since his strike from 58 yards against the Chicago Bears on August 28, 2013.
