Jags get win over Falcons

Jags get win over Falcons

The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the 2008 preseason Saturday, August 9 with a 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Jags held on as the Falcons marched to the five-yard line with 30 second left in the game. An interception in the end zone by veteran safety Pierson Prioleau clinched the game for Jacksonville.

"Obviously a first preseason game, a lot of things that went well, a lot of things we need to work on. Some good energy put forth, though. I thought the guys came out, played hard, played with a lot of energy," coach Jack Del Rio said.

David Garrard led the team 78 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

"We started out a little slow, a little sluggish, but once everyone relaxed and settled down, we realized we were just having fun out there, just playing football, we started getting things going. We had a good drive to finish off my series of plays," he said.

In the second half backup quarterback Cleo Lemon engineered a 10-play, 61-yard touchdown drive that staked the Jaguars to a 17-7 lead.

Veteran running backs Maurice Jones-Drew and Greg Jones combined for 62 yards rushing. But the surprise performance of the night came from rookie Brian Witherspoon who returned two for 49 yards and two kickoffs for 64 yards in the preseason opener.

Defensive end Mkristo Bruce was the Jaguars’ defensive star with 2.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and five tackles.