Raiders give McDaniels happy homecoming, beat Jaguars 27-11
The Las Vegas Raiders gave coach Josh McDaniels a successful homecoming in his debut on their sideline.
Josh Jacobs, rookie Zamir White and Austin Walter ran well on a rain-soaked field and the Raiders routed Jacksonville 27-11 in the Hall of Fame game Thursday night, spoiling coach Doug Pederson’s first game with the Jaguars.
McDaniels grew up in this historic football town and played for his father, Thom McDaniels, at Canton McKinley High School on this field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, known as Fawcett Stadium during his time as varsity quarterback and kicker.
“It was a unique opportunity, very grateful that I had it,” McDaniels said. “It’s the first time I’ve been to this Hall of Fame game it in 22 years.
To have an opportunity to do that with him here, my family and people who helped me along the way, it was a special night for them. I really savored it.”
Derek Carr and Davante Adams warmed up but they didn’t get a chance to play their first game together since Fresno State.
Carr, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback, and Adams, the All-Pro receiver acquired in blockbuster trade with Green Bay, were among many starters who sat out for both teams.
Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence wore a backward cap on the sideline while third-string quarterback Jake Luton started.
The NFL’s first preseason game began 40 minutes late due to severe weather that forced fans to seek shelter.
As expected, things got sloppy after the opening kickoff.
Top pick Travon Walker committed a roughing-the-passer penalty on Raiders backup QB Jarrett Stidham on the first play from scrimmage. Walker later registered a sack.