Mark's First MNF - USC Pros

In his first NFL start and first Monday Night Football game, QB Mark Sanchez was given a quick wake up call to the NFL against the Baltimore Ravens and arguably the top defense in the league. On his second snap of the game, the New York Jets quarterback was picked off by former Oregon Ducks DT Haloti Ngata who returned it for 25 yards and a touchdown. Not the start he was looking for and a bit different than the 48-yard bomb he opened up with last week.

It took Sanchez awhile to complete his first pass, but a little after eight minutes he hit TE Dustin Keller for an 8-yard gain on third down. It wasn't enough for a first down, but he got that first completion and looked more at ease after that.

Sanchez got his fifth and final turn at QB at the 11-minute mark of the 2nd quarter and drove the Jets 64 yards down the field in five minutes for a TD. The drive was highlighted by some extremely shifty plays by RB Leon Washington, who finished that possession with 19 yards on the ground and 35 yards through the air, including a 19-yard strike from a scrambling Mark Sanchez. The rookie QB did fumble a handoff to Washington earlier in the drive, but was able to maintain possession. He finished 3/8 for 43 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception.

Sanchez goes up against the Philadelphia Eagles with Donovan McNabb & Mike Vick next week in New York.

Final Score: New York Jets 23 @ Baltimore Ravens 24

Here is a quick recap of a few games from Saturday...

San Diego Chargers 17 @ Arizona Cardinals 6

Cardinals QB Matt Leinart took over at the 1-yard line in the 4th quarter and marched them 90 yards down the field before turning the ball over on downs. He was 6/10 for 74 yards.

Pittsburgh Steelers 13 @ Washington Redskins 17

Redskins TE Fred Davis led all receivers in the game with 31 yards on two receptions and recorded the go ahead touchdown in the 4th quarter. Steelers S Troy Polamalu got two tackles on Clinton Portis on the Redskins' first drive and was done for the game after that.

Week 3 of the preseaon picks back up Thursday. This is a very intense time for many former Trojans and everybody else on the bubble of being cut. We at Pac10Pros.com wish you all the best.

Photo: Nick Wass/Associated Press