Final: San Diego Chargers 12 Arizona Cardinals 9
By Tony Burgess
Aug 28, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro (7) hits a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Holding is Arizona Cardinals punter Dave Zastudil (9). Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
It was battle of the kickers in San Diego Thursday night, as the Arizona Cardinals and San Diego Chargers faced each other in the final week of the preseason. It was that both teams refused to take a stroll into the end zone. Field goals would light up the scoreboard as kickers for both teams would be perfect in their kicking duties. A total of 7 field goals would be attempted and made.
Besides battle of the kicker, it was also the battle of the backups. No starters for either team played as both teams try to determine who to keep on their 53 man roster, who to place on their 10 man practice squad, and who to simply cut.
Logan Thomas would play the entire game for the Cardinals and would have a below average game, at best. Thomas would be 9-18 with 73 yards, 1 interception while also being sacked 3 times.
While there was only 53 yards passing for the Cardinals, rookie tight end Troy Niklas, would have 32 of those 73 yards. Niklas would do this on only 2 receptions so he would make good use of his limited playing time.
One major reason for the Cardinals stagnant offense would be their 3rd down conversions. For the night, they would be 1-12 and they would not get their only conversion until midway through the 4th quarter.
The time of possession would heavily favor the Chargers in this one as well. The Cardinals would have 21:44 as compared to the Chargers 38:16.
On the bright side for the Cardinals, their defense would be solid as this has been their main concern for the past few weeks. They have been looking at different players to bring in and sign on to their defense several times.
So, tonight, their defense held the Chargers in check. The Chargers would have a fe plays here and there to move the ball down the field but would never get into the end zone. Their starting quarterback for the night, Kellen Clemons, would only have a 58.4 rating.
Scoring Recap:
1st Quarter:
AZ FG – C.Catanzaro 42 yd Field Goal, Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards in 2:40 (3-0)
SD FG – N.Novak 35 yd Field Goal, Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards in 5:20 (3-3)
2nd Quarter:
SD FG – N.Novak 39 yd Field Goal, Drive: 7 plays, 26 yards in 2:26 (3-6)
SD FG – N.Novak 55 yd Field Goal, Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards in 5:43 (3-9)
AZ FG – C.Catanzaro 38 yd Field Goal, Drive: 1 play, 0 yards in 0:00 (6-9)
3rd Quarter:
AZ FG – C.Catanzaro 35 yd Field Goal, Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards in 2:04 (9-9)
SD FG – N.Novak 37 yd Field Goal, Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards in 6:11 (9-12)
Highlight Statistics:
Arizona Cardinals:
QB – L.Thomas – 9-21; 73 passing yards; 1 INT
TE – T.Niklas – 2 receptions; 32 receiving yards
LB – G.Carson – 10 tackles; 3 pass deflections
SS – D.Bucannon – 8 tackles
K – C.Catanzaro – 3/3 FGs; 42 yd longest field goal
San Diego Chargers:
QB – K.Clemons – 14-25; 158 passing yards; 1 INT
HB – M.Grice – 17 carries; 79 rushing yards; 4.6 avg
HB – B.Oliver – 16 carries; 71 rushing yards; 4.4 avg
WR – D.Inman – 3 receptions; 54 receiving yards
K – N. Novak – 4/4 FGs; 55 yd longest field goal
The Cardinals will play their first regular season game against the San Diego Chargers in Week one. The game will be on Monday Night Football on September 8th at 7:20 p.m.
To view the full schedule, click here.
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