The Ryan Mathews era has begun for San Diego Chargers football. So far, so good.
The Bolts’ rookie running back had an impressive debut on Saturday night at Qualcomm Stadium, rushing for 50 yards on 9 carries and catching two passes for 11 yards, in a 25-10 preseason victory over the Chicago Bears.
“Ryan’s great,” said Chargers head coach Norv Turner, “He said that things slowed down for him as it went on. Obviously he’s a guy who can break tackles and he’s got great speed.”
After gaining three yards on his first carry as a Charger, Mathews worked himself into the rhythm of the game and revealed why San Diego traded up to the 12th slot in the first round to target him out of Fresno State. With impressive strength, a low center of gravity and great acceleration, Mathews turned a possible end zone tackle into an 18 yard gain late in the first quarter.
Mathews was featured heavily in the Chargers’ final drive of the first half, showing the type of workhorse he can become. He touched the ball six times on a 14-play drive, rushing five times for 28 yards, including a first-down gain on fourth-and-one from the Chicago 24-yard line.
Mike Tolbert capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge, coming with 17 seconds remaining in the first half. The score was set up by a pass interference penalty in the end zone, as Bears safety Al Afalava was called for face guarding tight end Randy McMichael.
Read more and watch postgame video from the Chargers locker room after the jump:
After going three-and-out on their opening series, the Chargers first-team offense put together a fitfully productive drive to score their first touchdown of the season. Starting from the Bears 46 after a 51-yard Richard Goodman kickoff return, the Bolts overcame three penalties, including back-to-back false starts, thanks to the strong arm of Philip Rivers.
Rivers connected on a 22 yard pass to Buster Davis to convert a third-and-ten, and then used a smart pump fake to freeze the Bears safety, hitting Legedu Naanee in stride for a 28-yard post corner route touchdown.
“It was a great catch,” said Rivers of the Naanee grab, “It came up just like it came up a few times in practice.”
Rivers finished the game 4-of-6 for 62 yards and the touchdown. He was pleased with the second drive but disappointed at the poor execution early.
“We came out and I missed two throws early, and we had a goal of not getting any penalties and we ended up getting a couple. It was nice to get a touchdown and to get Ryan a couple of touches.”
The Chargers first-team defense surrendered a pair of big passes from Jay Cutler on Chicago’s opening possession, but recovered to hold for a field goal attempt after a Donald Strickland corner blitz sack. Strickland was sent into the Bears’ backfield off the corner as a pass rusher four different times in the first half. Robbie Gould connected for a 38-yard field goal to open the scoring.
The second quarter saw San Diego’s top defense remain on the field…for far too long. After converting a pair of first downs, the Bears stalled and settled for a Gould 52 yard field goal. However, an illegal formation penalty on San Diego allowed Bears head coach Lovie Smith to take the points off the board in exchange for a first down.
Caleb Hanie took advantage, converting a key third-and-12 pass to Chester Taylor out of the Bears backfield to set up first-and-goal. Hanie’s 7-yard scoring strike to Devin Aromashodu put Chicago ahead 10-7 at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter.
Overall, the Chargers run defense appeared stout, holding the Bears to 28 first-half rushing yards, and 2.1 yards per carry through the first three quarters. Chicago QBs combined to go 9-for-13 for 120 yards and a touchdown against the San Diego top defensive unit, however.
“We were definitely physical,” said Chargers fourth-year safety Eric Weddle, “We tackled well and gave up just the one big play up the field. It’s encouraging, we still have a lot of work to do but it is definitely something we can build on.”
In the second half, Paul Oliver made a play to climb up the San Diego defensive depth chart. Oliver intercepted a Hanie pass on the opening possession of the third quarter, then recovered a fumble on the Bears’ next drive, on a play where he helped flush Hanie out of the pocket. Antwan Applewhite slammed the Bears signal-caller from behind, forcing the fumble.
Applewhite, who missed much of last year due to injury, had a pair of second-half sacks, and another erased on a facemask penalty.
Postgame locker room video: Mike Tolbert/Antwan Applewhite/Buster Davis
NOTE: After 24 hours, by NFL rule this video must be made inactive. Please e-mail (craig@619sports.net) if you would like access for further screening. Check out our Chargers home page for our latest active video.
Brandon Lang, a rookie linebacker out of Troy, also made a favorable impression on the San Diego defensive coaching staff. He was in on the Applewhite sack-fumble and later blocked a Brad Maynard punt out of the end zone for a safety.
Nick Novak kicked a pair of 48-yard field goals in the second half for San Diego. Billy Volek managed the offense reasonably well, completing 7 of 14 passes for 77 yards. Jonathan Crompton played the fourth quarter under center, hitting on 6 of 11 passes for 81 yards with an interception.
The Chargers will host the Dallas Cowboys next Saturday in their final home preseason game, before traveling to New Orleans and San Francisco for their final two exhibitions. On Friday, the Chargers will hold their annual walk-through at MCAS Miramar.
This story will be updated later with postgame video from the Chargers locker room and the field.
Craig Elsten -
Chainsaw -
