DISASTROUS FOURTH QUARTER COSTS MONARCHS IN LOSS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Undrafted rookie QB Mario Bowman turns ball over three times in the fourth, Giants come back to win
WR PRESTON WILLIAMS SCORES THE FIRST TOUCHDOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE LONDON MONARCHS
The Monarchs held a 21-14 lead going into the fourth quarter when Jason Garrett and company turned things over to undrafted rookie quarterback Mario Bowman. Bowman proceeded to turn the ball over twice on interceptions and a third time on a fumble. The Giants scored 17 unanswered points in the final quarter and came away with a 31-21 win over London in their first ever game.
"They say it doesn't count but we really wanted to go out there and prove that we can compete and get that first win." Monarchs veteran quarterback and team captain Ryan Fitzpatrick said after the loss.
Bowman, a dual threat quarterback from Youngstown State, struggled with inaccuracy during his time at the helm. He finished five of nine for 43 yards with a pair of interceptions and the lost fumble.
"You don't pull a guy in that situation." Garrett explained. "You've got to see if he's got mettle. You've got to see if he has that short memory."
Josh Rosen started the game for the Monarchs and played just one possession, hitting on one of his four pass attempts for 16 yards. Ryan Fitzpatrick went 7 of 12 with a touchdown and 95 yards. A.J. McCarron recovered from a pick six on his first pass attempt to put up 143 yards and two scores on 8 of 13 passing.
The running game was seemingly an afterthought with Kalen Ballage leading the team with 29 yards on 10 carries. Jordan Howard picked up just a yard on three carries.
Rookie tight end Bradley Blond led the team with 97 yards on five receptions. De'Anthony Thomas caught three passes for 42 yards and a score. Cedrick Wilson picked up 37 yards on four catches. Keelan Doss made a leaping 21 yard touchdown reception from McCarron.
The offensive line saw a number of player cycle through with Julie'n Davenport and rookie Kaleb Sands giving up sacks.
Defensively the Monarchs pulled starters after the Giants first possession for the most part and played many players throughout the game. Defensive end Tarell Basham led the team with four tackles. Avery Moss recorded a pair of sacks and Andrew Van Ginkel, Raekwon McMillan and Chase Allen each recorded one. Rookie safety Bruce Baldwin picked off a pass.
Jason Sanders was 3/3 on extra points, Jonathan Brown kicked off four times and recorded a pair of touchbacks. Matt Haack punted twice averaging 49.5 yards per. De'Anthony Thomas, Jakeem Grant and Myles Gaskin split the return duties with Thomas making the most of his kick return, picking up 31 yards.
The Giants gained 275 yards of offense while the Monarchs totaled 310, however, London managed just 37 yards on the ground.
The Monarchs will open Crump Colisee in downtown London next week as they host the Kansas City Chiefs.
Scoring
LON 00 07 14 00
21
NYG 07 00 07 17
31
1Q NYG D. Slayton 7 Yd pass from T. Bridgewater (A. Rosas kick)
2Q LON P. Williams 7 Yd pass from R. Fitzpatrick (J. Sanders kick)
3Q NYG D. Baker 27 Yd pick six (A. Rosas kick)
3Q LON D. Thomas 25 Yd pass from A. McCarron (J. Sanders kick)
3Q LON K. Doss 21 Yd pass from A. McCarron (J. Sanders kick)
4Q NYG J. Love 17 Yd pick six (A. Rosas kick)
4Q NYG A. Rosas 20 Yd FG
4Q NYG D. Slayton 10 Yd pass from D. Jones (A. Rosas kick)
Key Stats
London
Passing: A. McCarron - 8/13 143 2TD 1Int, R. Fitzpatrick - 7/12 95 1TD
Rushing: K. Ballage - 10-29
Receiving: B. Blond - 5/97, D. Thomas 3/42 1TD, C. Wilson 4/37, T. Hodges 2/26, K. Doss 1/21 1TD
Tackles: T. Basham 4
Sacks: A. Moss 2, A. Van Hinkel 1, R. McMillan 1, C. Allen 1
Takeaways: B. Baldwin 1Int
Special Teams: J. Sanders 3/3XP, M. Haack 2 punts 99Yds, J. Grant 116 Ret Yds, D. Thomas 31 Ret Yds
New York
Passing: D. Jones 11/18 122 1TD 1Int, T. Bridgewater 6/6 69 1TD
Rushing: W. Gallman 10/50, S. Barkley 6/23
Receiving: R. Ellison 3/39, D. Slayton 3/33 2TD, R. Cracraft 3/28, E. Engram 2/28
Tackles: A. Ogletree 8, J. Love 7
Sacks: J. Mauro 1, K. Martin 1, P. Afriyie 1
Takeaways: J. Love 2Int(1TD), D. Baker 1Int(TD), C. Ballentine FR
Special Teams: A. Rosas 1/1FG 4/4XP, R. Quigley 4 punts 228Yds, B. Scott 24 Ret Yds, A. Castro 21 Ret Yds
Media
Next Week
Kansas City (0-1) @ London (0-1)
