Las Vegas Raiders fans welcomed Fernando Mendoza with an ovation before he even got under center Thursday, and the No. 1 overall pick repaid the Allegiant Stadium crowd with a promising preseason debut in a 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Mendoza needed only two drives to find the end zone, throwing a six-yard pass to Jack Bech for his first preseason touchdown. It capped a 10-play, 79-yard drive that was fueled by rookie running back Mike Washington Jr.’s 53-yard run.
The Indiana product entered the game in the first quarter and played five series, including a one-play kneel before halftime, before exiting in the fourth. Mendoza finished the night 10-for-16 for 97 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions. He was also sacked once.
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