Chargers Beat Cowboys, 17-7, In Preseason Opener
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Danny Woodhead scored on an 8-yard run in his first game since September and the San Diego Chargers, whose owner has angered fans by exploring a move to Los Angeles, beat the Dallas Cowboys 17-7 on Thursday night in an exhibition opener.
Woodhead scampered through a big hole provided by the rebuilt line to give the Chargers a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. He suffered a season-ending broken right ankle in the third game last year.
The game was played two days after Carmen Policy, who is spearheading stadium efforts in Carson, told NFL owners that "the Chargers and Raiders are committed to Los Angeles." The Chargers, owned by the Spanos family, walked away from negotiations for a new stadium in San Diego in mid-June and are focusing on trying to move to Carson along with the archrival Oakland Raiders.
The Cowboys had two fumbles in the first half, including one by backup quarterback Brandon Weeden that was recovered by Patrick Robinson to set up Woodhead's score.
"I thought the biggest things were the turnovers," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "We drove the ball pretty well. We had the ball for nine, 10 or 11 plays on that first drive, we make the big fourth down. Then we snap the ball over the quarterback's head and give them 40 yards on a turnover, then they go down and score. It certainly was the biggest play for the first unit.
"There were some positive things, but you have to take care of the football or you are not going to win in this league."
The Cowboys tied it at 7 when undrafted rookie Gus Johnson scored on a 5-yard run early in the second quarter. Johnson, looking to prove he can make it after the top three candidates to replace NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray were hurt, left with a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
San Diego went ahead 14-7 when Branden Oliver scored on a 10-yard run just before halftime.
San Diego's Nick Novak kicked a 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
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