San Diego, CA (Best E Casino) - Rookie Jacob Hester, a third round pick out of LSU, had 13 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns to lead the
San Diego Chargers in a rout of the
Dallas Cowboys, 31-17, in the preseason opener for both teams.
With Michael Turner's free agent defection to the Falcons another rookie, Marcus Thomas, a fifth round selection out of UTEP, had 13 touches for 48 yards and added two catches for 13 yards for the Chargers (1-0). Philip Rivers connected on 5-of-6 passes for 54 yards. Holdover Darren Sproles rushed five times for seven yards, but found the end zone once. Mike Tolbert had one rush for one yard, but made it count as it went for a touchdown. Nate Kaeding hit his one field goal attempt and all four of his extra point tries.
On the injury front for the Chargers, wideout Vincent Jackson (hamstring), tight end Antonio Gates (toe), and center Nick Hardwick (foot) didn't see action against Dallas.
Tony Romo was 3-for-3 passing for 33 yards for the Cowboys (0-1). Tashard Choice rushed seven times for 40 yards and a score, while Deon Anderson had a two-yard touchdown run. Dallas' first round pick, Felix Jones out of Arkansas, rushed six times totaling 32 yards and caught two passes for 29 yards. Jason Witten had two catches for 17 yards and Patrick Crayton caught two balls for 31 yards. Adam "Pacman" Jones, acquired by Dallas via trade in the offseason, had a tackle. Nick Folk hit his field goal attempt and drained both extra point tries.
Terence Newman (groin) was the most notable Cowboy ruled out on Saturday.
It was 7-7 after the first quarter as Anderson ran in a two-yard score and Hester had a one-yard touchdown for SD.
Sproles notched a five-yard score with just over 12 1/2 minutes left in the first half, before Kaeding nailed a 53-yarder and Tolbert trotted in a one- yard touchdown.
Folk chipped in a 35-yard field goal as the half expired and it was 24-10.
Hester capped a six-play, 55-yard drive that lasted 3:21 with a two-yard touchdown run. Choice answered with a 19-yard touchdown run four minutes later to pull the Cowboys within 31-17 heading into the final frame.
