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08/20 22:19 CDT Fernando Mendoza throws a pick-6, struggles in 1st half of
Raiders' 22-20 preseason win over Texans
Fernando Mendoza throws a pick-6, struggles in 1st half of Raiders' 22-20
preseason win over Texans
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) --- Top draft pick Fernando Mendoza struggled in his second
preseason game, throwing an interception that Houston returned for a touchdown
before the Las Vegas Raiders rallied late for a 22-20 victory over the Texans
on Thursday night.
Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who led Indiana to a national title, played
the first half and went 8 of 15 for 86 yards. The performance came after he
threw a touchdown pass in his preseason debut last week against Arizona playing
behind Kirk Cousins.
On Thursday, Mendoza's third pass was overthrown and intercepted by Wade
Woodaz, who returned it 80 yards for a touchdown that made it 14-0. Mendoza
chased him down, but Woodaz shoved him aside near the 15 and continued to the
end zone.
Mendoza was sacked once and took several other hits playing against Houston's
second-string defense. He played five series and led his team to just one field
goal.
C.J. Stroud led the Texans to a touchdown on his only series in his first
action of the preseason. Stroud and the offensive line were among the few
Texans starters who played.
Stroud was 4 of 6 for 27 yards and a 20-yard scoring run by Woody Marks on the
drive he led made it 7-0.
The Raiders also rested most of their starters, including Cousins, defensive
end Maxx Crosby, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.
A 4-yard run by Dylan Laube with about five minutes left in the third got the
Raiders within 20-10.
Former Texan Dare Ogunbowale scored on a 19-yard run with less than eight
minutes to go. Kansei Matsuzawa's extra point failed to make it 20-16.
Aidan O'Connell relieved Mendoza in the second half. He scored a 1-yard
touchdown on a tush push with 14 seconds to go to put the Raiders ahead 22-20.
Matsuzawa missed that extra point, too.
Kickers convert 3 from 50-plus Houston's Ka'imi Fairbairn made field goals of 51 and 57 yards in his first preseason action after sitting out last week. Matt Gay kicked a 52-yarder in the second quarter for the Raiders. Clowney returns to Houston Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft, played the entire first half after sitting out last week. He rejoined the Texans on a one-year contract earlier this month after spending his first five seasons in Houston. He had a tackle and a quarterback hurry Thursday night. Clowney spent last season with the Cowboys and had 8 1/2 sacks. Injuries Las Vegas linebacker Buddy Johnson left early in the third quarter with a shoulder injury but returned in the fourth. ... Las Vegas CB Chigozie Anusiem was carted off the field in the third quarter with a knee injury. Up next Raiders: Host San Francisco next Thursday night in their final preseason game. Texans: End the preseason with a visit to Carolina on Aug. 28. ___ See AP's full NFL coverage here |
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