The short version
- Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his debut for Las Vegas, becoming the first No. 1 pick since 2018 to score in an opening preseason game.
- The anticipated showdown between national championship quarterbacks did not occur because Arizona held out Carson Beck due to rib soreness.
- Las Vegas lost 27-14 to Arizona while resting star pass rusher Maxx Crosby and relying on a mix of veteran and rookie talent.
Fernando Mendoza made his preseason debut for the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night, throwing a touchdown pass in a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Heisman Trophy winner completed 10 of 16 attempts for 97 yards during four series of action. His performance marked a notable milestone, as he became the first player selected with the top overall pick to throw a touchdown in his first preseason game since Baker Mayfield achieved the feat for Cleveland against New York in 2018.
Mendoza’s drive resulted in a six-yard connection with Jack Bech. He also displayed precision at moments, threading a 19-yard pass between three defenders to fellow rookie Malik Benson in the second quarter. However, he missed another potential scoring opportunity late in the fourth quarter when a throw intended for Deven Thompkins sailed beyond his reach. The Raiders’ offense managed only one touchdown drive under Mendoza’s direction, excluding a final kneel-down sequence at the end of the first half.
The game failed to deliver the high-profile matchup many observers anticipated. Arizona chose not to play Carson Beck, who was dealing with sore ribs. This decision prevented a rematch of the college football national championship game, where Mendoza led Indiana to a 27-21 victory over Beck and Miami in January. Instead, Arizona relied on Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew to handle quarterback duties for the majority of the contest.
Arizona’s quarterbacks combined for a perfect passing performance in the first half. Brissett completed all five of his attempts for 44 yards and a seven-yard touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr. Minshew added to the streak, combining with Brissett for 15 consecutive completions totaling 123 yards and three touchdowns before finally throwing an incomplete pass early in the second half. This efficiency helped Arizona build a 21-14 lead that they maintained until the end of the game.
Las Vegas also managed its roster carefully, with star pass rusher Maxx Crosby sitting out the contest. Coach Klint Kubiak had indicated Tuesday that Crosby’s status was uncertain following knee surgery in January, though the player had participated in training camp. The absence of such a key defensive figure underscored the cautious approach both teams took regarding their core players during this exhibition.
On the defensive side for Las Vegas, Jermod McCoy returned to action after nearly two years away due to a torn ACL. He played with the second-team defense at cornerback and was assigned as the primary defender on two of Arizona’s touchdown drives. His return signaled progress in his rehabilitation, even if the results on the field were mixed during this limited preseason appearance.
The Raiders’ starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, also saw action, completing 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards and a 13-yard touchdown to Michael Mayer. Each team’s primary starter managed only one series, both resulting in scores. Meanwhile, Arizona’s rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, selected third overall, made his preseason debut with 58 rushing yards on 11 carries.
The outcome reflects the typical nature of late-season exhibition games, where teams prioritize player health and evaluation over competitive intensity. While Mendoza’s touchdown provided a positive early indicator for the Raiders’ new franchise quarterback, the lack of full-strength competition limits the predictive value of the statistical output. Both clubs will now shift focus toward final roster decisions as the regular season approaches.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗No 1 pick Fernando Mendoza throws for touchdown in Las Vegas Raiders preseason debut
