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USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Breaking down Packers' preseason win over Colts: What went right, wrong
The Green Bay Packers got three second half touchdowns, including the go-ahead score from Sean Clifford with under two minutes to go, to overcome 11 first-half penalties and an early 13-0 hole during Saturday's 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts in preseason Week 2. Matt LaFleur sat 29 players, some due to injury, some due to importance. Overall, only a few starting players were on the field for the Packers on Saturday, and the Colts -- who played starters throughout the first half -- went up early. LaFleur's team outscored the Colts 20-6 in the second half. Here's what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward: What went right -- In a battle between the Packers second-string defense and the Colts first-team offense, the Packers actually came out OK. In fact, the Colts only scored three points across the two drives in which most starters played, and the Packers defense was only responsible for giving up 10 points on drives with Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson on the field. Three points came after a turnover inside the 25-yard line. -- The Packers scored three touchdowns in the second half, including one spearheaded by Israel Abanikanda's hard running and another in which Taylor Elgersma converted both a third down and fourth down. Sean Clifford converted a fourth down before his game-winning score on the final drive. -- Malik Heath caught a 9-yard pass in traffic and likely should have drawn a holding penalty on a deep ball, while Mecole Hardman produced a 21-yard catch on third down and a mistake-free day returning punts. Both veteran receivers bounced back from poor openers. -- MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson both produced explosive plays in the passing game. Lloyd won deep and made a stumbling catch for 33 yards, while Wilson caught a short pass, made a man miss and then bowled over a tackler for 31 yards. -- Taylor Elgersma completed 7-of-11 passes for 109, averaging 9.9 yards per attempt. The game was moving fast early, but he settled in and made some throws down the field. He certainly has an NFL-caliber arm. The Packers scored three times with him at quarterback. -- The Packers had eight third-down conversions and converted all four fourth down opportunities and all three red zone opportunities. A big improvement situationally over the opener. -- Israel Abanikanda and Amar Johnson both had tough, physical runs to score touchdowns in the second half. -- Packers defensive linemen batted down or deflected four different passes. Bo Melton and Kitan Oladapo also had pass breakups downfield. -- Cornelius Johnson caught three passes for 41 yards (including one for 18 yards on fourth down), Julian Hicks had 45 yards worth of receiving yards wiped away via penalty (including a tremendous 31-yard catch along the sideline) and Isaiah Neyor got behind the coverage at least twice but was underthrown. The young receivers mostly capitalized on opportunities. -- Can't forget about Daniel Whelan, who put all three of his punts inside the 20-yard line, including a booming 59-yarder inside the Colts' 10-yard line. What went wrong -- The Packers were penalized 11 times in the first half, including five on Anthony Belton and several infractions that negated big plays or put the Packers in bad situations. Belton had back-to-back illegal formation penalties to end the half, and Matt LaFleur was not happy. -- The Packers didn't have a takeaway and lost the turnover battle again. Emanuel Wilson's fumble handed the Colts three easy points. -- Donovan Jennings struggled once again, especially early. A starter at left guard, he committed a holding penalty and gave up at least two pressures with Malik Willis at quarterback. -- Rookie kicker Mark McNamee left four points on the table. He missed a 39-yard field goal and an extra point in his NFL debut attempting kicks. -- Linebacker Isaiah Simmons looked lost in coverage early, and he missed at least one tackle (but finished with a team-high nine tackles while playing deep into the second half). Kamal Hadden gave up a few catches, had a holding penalty on a kickoff return and a holding penalty in coverage. -- Another potential injury for MarShawn Lloyd, who went out after catching a 33-yard pass in the first half. The Packers' 2024 third-round pick can't catch a break. What it means Very little overall. The Packers sat almost every important starter, so the evaluation for Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst was all about the depth of the roster. And in that light, the Packers got plenty of good tape on second-string players against starting level NFL players. Reviewing Saturday's film and finding the players who stepped up to the challenge could be a big part of picking the final spots on the 53-man roster. What's next The final week of training camp. The Seahawks are coming to Green Bay for a joint practice on Thursday and the preseason finale on Saturday afternoon. The joint practice on Thursday is the final open practice of training camp.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Richardson starts fast, Packers finish strong to rally past Colts 23-19 in preseason
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Richardson completed six of his first eight passes Saturday, leading the Indianapolis Colts to a touchdown on his first series before the Green Bay Packers rallied late for a 23-19 victory in the preseason. Quarterback Sean Clifford scored on an 11-yard run with 1:31 left to put the Packers ahead. Jason Bean then took the Colts to the Green Bay 31-yard line in the final minute before the rally fell short. While Clifford finished strong, Richardson started fast. He played nearly the entire second quarter and capped Indy's best drive of the preseason with Tyler Goodson's 3-yard TD run. Richardson also took advantage of a fumble recovery to set up the second of Spencer Shrader's four field goals. The Packers' only first-half score came on a 43-yard field goal to end the second quarter. They cut the deficit to 13-10 on Israel Abanikanda's 3-yard TD run in the third quarter, tied the score at 16 on Amar Johnson's 9-yard scoring run. Green Bay missed the extra point. Clifford's scoring run gave Green Bay its only lead of the game. Packers coach Matt LaFleur held out 29 players, including quarterback Jordan Love two days after the teams held a joint practice. Love had surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb earlier this week. Malik Willis went 6 of 14 with 83 yards in place of Love. Clifford ran twice for 19 yards. But with Indy still trying to determine whether Richardson or Daniel Jones will be the opening day starter, coach Shane Steichen opted to use most of his starters into the second quarter. While Jones made quick decisions and was mostly on target, Richardson sprinkled some impressive throws and runs with some bad misses and questionable decisions. Richardson finished 6 of 11 with 73 yards, no interceptions or fumbles and managed to avoid any additional injuries. Jones went 7 of 11 with 101 yards. The Colts also lost their top two right tackles to injuries. Braden Smith, the starter, left with a groin injury in the first half. Smith's backup, Blake Freeland, was carted off the field with a fractured lower right leg in the second quarter. Abanikanda led a 159-yard rushing attack for Green Bay with 12 carries for 43 yards. Flagged While the Packers largely cleaned up the drops from last week's preseason opener, the penalty flags continued to fly. The Packers finished with 12 penalties, and nobody had it rougher than backup right tackle Anthony Belton. The rookie was flagged five times in the first half — two illegal formations, one false start, an unnecessary roughness and a face mask. ... The Colts finished with 11 penalties for 103 yards. Injuries Indy also lost rookie safety-linebacker Hunter Wohler with a foot injury, cornerback Johnathan Edwards with a concussion and linebacker Jacob Phillips with a bicep injury. Up next The Packers have another joint practice this week with Seattle before closing out the preseason against the Seahawks next Saturday. Indy visits Cincinnati next Saturday. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
6 standouts from Packers' preseason win over the Colts
The Green Bay Packers played their second preseason game of 2025 on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite resting basically all of their starters, the Packers were much more competitive this week, coming back from an early deficit and then holding on to defeat the Colts 23-19 in a controversial finish. After a sluggish first half, the offense found its groove in the second half, scoring 20 points behind a run game that totaled 159 yards and three touchdowns. Green Bay took the lead with 1:31 remaining after Sean Clifford found the end zone on an 11-yard scramble. The Colts nearly stole the game in the final seconds. On 4th-and-10, Jason Bean threw a deep pass to tight end Jelani Woods that looked complete initially and would have spotted the ball at Green Bay's 1-yard line with seven seconds left. However, the officials said the pass was incomplete in a ruling that will be heavily debated. As far as preseason games go, this one at least delivered an entertaining ending, and the Packers showed a lot more fight than they did a week ago against the New York Jets. Green Bay will officially wrap up its preseason next Saturday in a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Here were the standouts against Indianapolis. WR Julian Hicks With all of Green Bay's top receivers injured or held out, Saturday's matchup against Indianapolis presented a great opportunity for the backups. Hicks made the most of it, but you wouldn't know it looking at the box score. Two of his catches were wiped out by penalties—one a 14-yarder, the other an incredible one-handed 31-yard grab nullified by holding. Fortunately, Hicks did have a 14-yard grab in the second half that did count. WR Mecole Hardman Hardman needed a strong performance after a poor showing last week, in which he muffed a punt that resulted in a turnover and dropped his only target. This week, Hardman returned a punt 10 yards and had a couple of catches, including a nice 21-yard grab on a 3rd-and-6 in the first quarter. The speedy veteran still has a ways to go to secure a roster spot, but his performance in Indianapolis was a step in the right direction. WR Cornelius Johnson Johnson also stepped up in the absence of the Packers' top pass catchers. He led the team with 41 yards on three catches, including a big 18-yard catch on a 4th-and-3 from Taylor Elgersma to help set up the game-tying touchdown. All three of his receptions resulted in first downs. DE Deslin Alexandre Alexandre was the only member of the Packers to record a sack against the Colts. With just over a minute remaining in the first half, Green Bay ran a stunt on 3rd-and-7, freeing up Alexandre to deliver a nice hit against Anthony Richardson. The sack forced the Colts to punt from their own 3-yard line. RB Israel Abanikanda Claimed off waivers in July, Abanikanda has done a nice job on special teams and finished as the Packers' leading rusher in Indianapolis. He totaled 43 yards on the ground and had a hard-nosed three-yard run for the team's first touchdown. The former fifth-round pick also stood out on special teams, recording a tackle on kick coverage and returning five kicks for 120 yards. He's currently averaging 26.7 yards per kick return during the preseason. Abanikanda's chances of making the team aren't great, but he is making a solid case for the practice squad. RB Amar Johnson It wasn't quite last week's 67-yard performance, but Johnson enjoyed another productive outing in Week 2 of the preseason. He totaled 33 yards on eight touches and showed off some tough running on his nine-yard touchdown to tie the game at 16. Johnson appears to be in a close battle with Abanikanda for a spot on the practice squad.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Richardson starts fast, Packers finish strong to rally past Colts 23-19 in preseason
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Richardson completed six of his first eight passes Saturday, leading the Indianapolis Colts to a touchdown on his first series before the Green Bay Packers rallied late for a 23-19 victory in the preseason. Quarterback Sean Clifford scored on an 11-yard run with 1:31 left to put the Packers ahead. Jason Bean then took the Colts to the Green Bay 31-yard line in the final minute before the rally fell short. While Clifford finished strong, Richardson started fast. He played nearly the entire second quarter and capped Indy's best drive of the preseason with Tyler Goodson's 3-yard TD run. Richardson also took advantage of a fumble recovery to set up the second of Spencer Shrader's four field goals. The Packers' only first-half score came on a 43-yard field goal to end the second quarter. They cut the deficit to 13-10 on Israel Abanikanda's 3-yard TD run in the third quarter, tied the score at 16 on Amar Johnson's 9-yard scoring run. Green Bay missed the extra point. Clifford's scoring run gave Green Bay its only lead of the game. Packers coach Matt LaFleur held out 29 players, including quarterback Jordan Love two days after the teams held a joint practice. Love had surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb earlier this week. Malik Willis went 6 of 14 with 83 yards in place of Love. Clifford ran twice for 19 yards. But with Indy still trying to determine whether Richardson or Daniel Jones will be the opening day starter, coach Shane Steichen opted to use most of his starters into the second quarter. While Jones made quick decisions and was mostly on target, Richardson sprinkled some impressive throws and runs with some bad misses and questionable decisions. Richardson finished 6 of 11 with 73 yards, no interceptions or fumbles and managed to avoid any additional injuries. Jones went 7 of 11 with 101 yards. The Colts also lost their top two right tackles to injuries. Braden Smith, the starter, left with a groin injury in the first half. Smith's backup, Blake Freeland, was carted off the field with a fractured lower right leg in the second quarter. Abanikanda led a 159-yard rushing attack for Green Bay with 12 carries for 43 yards. FlaggedWhile the Packers largely cleaned up the drops from last week's preseason opener, the penalty flags continued to fly. The Packers finished with 12 penalties, and nobody had it rougher than backup right tackle Anthony Belton. The rookie was flagged five times in the first half — two illegal formations, one false start, an unnecessary roughness and a face mask. ... The Colts finished with 11 penalties for 103 yards. Injuries Indy also lost rookie safety-linebacker Hunter Wohler with a foot injury, cornerback Johnathan Edwards with a concussion and linebacker Jacob Phillips with a bicep injury. Up next The Packers have another joint practice this week with Seattle before closing out the preseason against the Seahawks next Saturday. Indy visits Cincinnati next Saturday. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Penn State all-time leading passers heading into 2025 season
Senior Drew Allar will have a chance to finish the 2025 season as one of Penn State's most prolific passers. Here's who he has to beat. Going into the 2025 season, senior Drew Allar will have the chance to stake his claim as one of the top quarterbacks in Nittany Lion history. He is already No. 6 in career passing yards, but how high will he climb? Here's a dive through the history books as we look at the Nittany Lions' top 10 passing leaders. For another deep dive, check out the team's all-time rushing leaders, which include Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. 1. Sean Clifford Years: 2018-2022 Career passing yards: 10,661 Sean Clifford leads the program in most career passing categories, including yards, touchdowns (86), and quarterback wins (32). These numbers are a testament to his longevity, as Clifford started for four years at Penn State from 2019-2022, including New Year's Six wins in the Cotton Bowl and Rose Bowl. Clifford was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, where he's been a backup for two seasons. 2. Trace McSorley Years: 2015-2018 Career passing yards: 9,899 The most beloved Penn State quarterback in recent memory, Trace McSorley was a dual threat who helped the Nittany Lions win the 2016 Big Ten championship and the 2017 Fiesta Bowl. In 2016, he became the program's single-season leader in passing yards and touchdowns, and he also has the most career rushing yards and touchdowns for a Penn State quarterback. McSorley was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He bounced around several teams from 2019-2024, and he's now returning to Penn State as an assistant quarterbacks coach. 3. Christian Hackenburg Years: 2013-2015 Career passing yards: 8,457 Christian Hackenburg had high expectations as a 5-star recruit, and he impressed early by being named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2013. In 2014, his 454 passing yards against UCF set the program's single-game record. He finished his career as Penn State's leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Hackenburg was drafted in the second round by the New York Jets in 2016, but he never played a down in the league. 4. Zack Mills Years: 2001-2004 Career passing yards: 7,212 Zack Mills was the leader for Penn State during a difficult time for the program. The Nittany Lions posted losing records in 2001, 2003, and 2004 — during which Mills threw for 24 touchdowns and 29 interceptions. The 2002 season was easily his best, leading Penn State to a 9-4 record behind 2,417 yards passing and 17 touchdowns. Mills finished his career as the program leader in most passing categories. 5. Matt McGloin Years: 2009-2012 Career passing yards: 6,390 McGloin went from walk-on quarterback in 2009 to a quality starter in 2012. He had glimpses in 2010 and 2011, but he truly broke out in his senior year under Bill O'Brien. He put up 3,271 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and only five interceptions, as Penn State went 8-4. McGloin went undrafted in 2013, but he went on to make seven starts for the Oakland Raiders from 2013-2016. 6. Drew Allar Years: 2022— Career passing yards: 6,302 The most hyped Penn State quarterback since Hackenburg, Drew Allar has been very good, but not yet elite in his career. He's been impressively efficient, throwing 53 career touchdowns to only 10 interceptions. With a good season in 2025, Allar could climb as high as No. 3 on the career passing yards list this year. 7. Tony Sacca Years: 1988-1991 Career passing yards: 5,869 Tony Sacca was Penn State's primary starter for two seasons, with 1991 being his best year. As a senior, he had 2,488 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions, leading the Nittany Lions to a Fiesta Bowl win over Tennessee. He was drafted in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Phoenix Cardinals, though he only played in two games as a pro. 8. Daryll Clark Years: 2006-2009 Career passing yards: 5,742 Daryll Clark started for Penn State in 2008 and 2009 and went an impressive 24-4 during that stretch. He threw for 5,595 yards and 43 touchdowns in those two seasons, leading the team to a Rose Bowl appearance in 2008 and a Capital One Bowl win in 2009. Clark was undrafted and never played a down professionally. 9. Chuck Fusina Years: 1975-1978 Career passing yards: 5,382 Chuck Fusina is one of Penn State's most decorated quarterbacks, winning the Maxwell Award and finishing as the Heisman runner-up in 1978. No. 1 Penn State was inches away from a national championship in 1978, but they fell to No. 2 Alabama in a classic Sugar Bowl. Fusina was drafted in the fifth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1979 draft and played 14 career NFL games. 10. Kerry Collins Years: 1991-1994 Career passing yards: 5,304 Kerry Collins was the leader for Penn State in the early 90s, including placing fourth in Heisman voting during the Nittany Lions' undefeated 1994 season. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Collins is Penn State's most successful NFL quarterback. He was the fifth overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in 1995, but his best seasons came with the New York Giants, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2000. He'd go on to play for six teams across 17 years, totaling 40,922 yards and 208 touchdowns.
