JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars fall to the Cleveland Browns 18-13 in their home opener. The Jaguars are now 0-2 after last week’s loss to the Miami Dolphins.
The Browns were the first to score after an 89 yard drive, capped off by a 1 yard touchdown run by QB Deshaun Watson, who earlier this week denied new sexual assault allegations against him. K Dustin Hopkins added the extra point, to put the Browns ahead 7-0.
In the second quarter, Hopkins added a 53 yard field goal for the Browns. The Jaguars later had an impressive scoring drive which took them as close as the 2 yard line, but they had to settle for a 22 yard field goal by rookie K Cam Little. Hopkins responded with a 38 yard field goal, to keep the Browns ahead 13-3 at the half.
Hopkins kicked off the scoring in the third quarter with a 44 yard field goal, extending the Browns’ lead. Little’s attempted 43 yard field goal in the rain hit the right upright. But QB Trevor Lawrence’s 66 yard pass to WR Brian Thomas, Jr. energized the crowd late in the third quarter, and RB Travis Etienne Jr. followed with a 4 yard touchdown run, while Cam Little redeemed himself with an extra point. Foyesade Oluokun’s sack of Deshaun Watson ended the third quarter, with the Jaguars down 16-10 at the end of the third quarter.
Rookie K Cam Little (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Early in the fourth quarter, Lawrence again had fans on their feet after a 30 yard pass to TE Brenton Strange. That drive ended with a 25 yard Cam Little field goal. But the Browns ran the clock down, leaving the Jaguars with only 1:48, and the ball on the two yard line. Lawrence was sacked in the end zone by DE Alex Wright for a safety, securing the Browns 18-13 victory. A late drive attempt by the Jaguars ended unsuccessfully.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 220 yards. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 52 yards and 1 touchdown. Brian Thomas, Jr. was the leading receiver with 94 yards. Etienne also surpassed the 3,000 career yards mark during today’s game, and he later tied for the fifth most touchdowns in Jaguars history (18). He also ended as the fifth leading Jaguar in career rushing yards.
Today was the first home game for Trevor Lawrence since signing a five-year, $275 million contract extension. EverBank Stadium was rebranded as “TrEverBank Stadium” for today’s home opener, as a bank collaboration with the Jaguars quarterback.
TrEverBank Stadium (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
It was also the first home game since Josh Hines-Allen revised his last name to honor his maternal family’s athletic legacy, and to differentiate himself from the Buffalo Bills QB, Josh Allen. On 9/20, Josh will host a “jersey swap” event for the first 100 fans who registered, allowing them to swap their old “Allen” jerseys for the new “Hines-Allen” #41 jerseys.
New jerseys for Josh Hines-Allen fans. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)
Today’s attendance was 60,105. The Jaguars head to Buffalo to face QB Josh Allen and the Bills on Monday night, 9/23. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaSportsChannel.com and www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
