MONARCHS NEWS WIRE
TURNOVERS, DEFENSIVE LAPSES LEAD TO LONDON LOSS
Rosen's three picks, Cardinals big plays key
JOSH GORDON CATCHES THE FIRST OFFICIAL TOUCHDOWN IN MONARCHS HISTORY
31 - 24
Josh Rosen threw a trio of interceptions, including a fourth quarter pick six, and the Cardinals scored on three plays of 50 yards or more in a 31-24 Arizona win to open the Monarchs first regular season.
Rosen finished the game 22 of 38 with 265 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
London started off running the ball well but went away from it in the second half totaling 20 rushes for the game.
"We're not really looking to throw the ball 38 times a game." Coach Jason Garrett said following the loss. "We're ultimately looking to have a balanced offense."
Arizona started off scoring with a 65 yard Kyler Murray to David Johnson touchdown on a screen pass to cap their first possession. The Monarchs answered with a Rosen touchdown pass to Josh Gordon on the Monarchs' ensuing possession.
The teams exchanged field goals early in the second quarter before Murray and Johnson hooked up again, this time a 50 yard score on another screen pass.
London tied it up before halftime when Rosen connected with Gordon again.
The next score came with three minutes left in the fourth quarter when Johnson ran in from a yard out to put the Cardinals back on top 24-17. Less than 20 seconds later Rosen had a pass picked by Cardinals safety D.J. Swearinger and he took it 65 yards to the house.
The Monarchs added a late score when Rosen drove the team down and found De'Anthony Thomas on a six yard touchdown pass.
Rosen took the blame for the loss. "You can't turn it over three times and expect to win, that's on me. I need to make some better decisions in those spots and rely on the guys around me to make plays and get us the win."
The Monarchs went for it on fourth down twice just inside the 50 and failed on both.
Receiver/returner Jakeem Grant was injured after a missed block on a punt return and did not come back into the game, he will be evaluated this evening.
The Monarchs will travel to the states to face the New York Jets in an AFC East divisional match-up next Sunday. The Jets shocked the Rams 27-0 in Los Angeles and come in with a 1-0 record.
Scoring
ARI 07 10 00 14
31
LON 07 10 00 07
24
1Q ARI D. Johnson 65 Yd pass from K. Murray (J. Elliott kick)
1Q LON J. Gordon 9 Yd pass from J. Rosen (J. Sanders kick)
2Q LON J. Sanders 52 Yd FG
2Q ARI J. Elliott 37 Yd FG
2Q ARI D. Johnson 50 Yd pass from K. Murray (J. Elliott kick)
2Q LON J. Gordon 25 Yd pass from J. Rosen (J. Sanders kick)
4Q ARI D. Johnson 1 Yd run (J. Elliott kick)
4Q ARI D. Swearinger 65 Yd pick six (J. Elliott kick)
4Q LON D. Thomas 6 Yd pass from J. Rosen (J. Sanders kick)
Key Stats
London
Passing: J. Rosen 22/38 265 3TD 3Int
Rushing: J. Howard 14/65, D. Thomas 3/25, K. Ballage 2/15
Receiving: M. Gesicki 9/122, J. Gordon 4/50 2TD, D. Parker 4/37, E. Sanders 2/31, D. Thomas 2/17 1TD
Tackles: C. Harris 6, J. Baker 6
Sacks: N. Suh 1, C. Harris 1
Takeaways: N/A
Special Teams: J. Sanders 1/1FG 3/3XP, M. Haack 2/130, D. Thomas 94 Ret Yds, E. Sanders 27 Ret Yds, J. Grant 21 Ret Yds
Arizona
Passing: K. Murray 15/18 259 2TD
Rushing: D. Johnson 13/45 1TD, K. Murray 11/43
Receiving: D. Johnson 4/142 2TD, M. Williams 4/51, H. Butler 4/30, C. Kirk 2/24
Tackles: R. Alford 8, J. Hicks 7, B. Murphy Jr. 7
Sacks: T. Charlton 1
Takeaways: J. Hicks 1, D. Swearinger Sr. 1(TD), P. Peterson 1
Special Teams: J. Elliott 1/1FG 4/4XP, A. Lee 4/158, S. Offord 44 Ret Yds
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