No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza throws TD pass in preseason debut for Raiders in 27-14 loss to Cardinals
Las Vegas Raiders No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza completed a touchdown pass on his preseason debut, leading the team to a 27-14 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, contributed 97 yards and a six-yard touchdown pass to Jack Bech in four series, excluding a kneel-down at the end of the first half.
He nearly scored a second touchdown, but his throw landed out of reach of Deven Thompkins. The first-ranked selection since 2018 failed to duplicate Baker Mayfield's performance against the New York Giants. The Cardinals, who decided not to play Carson Beck due to sore ribs, had Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew combine for 15 of 15 completions for 123 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, leading 21-14. Rookie Jeremiyah Love, the Cardinals' third overall pick, rushed for 58 yards on 11 carries.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
