Former USC Trojans QB Mark Sanchez showed everybody Sunday why the New York Jets traded up the the #5 spot in the 2009 NFL Draft to snag the highly touted junior with an impressive road win.
Mark played extremely composed in his first real NFL game, which matched him up against a Houston Texans team that is expected to make the leap this year into the playoffs. In a game that many expected would center around the Jets rushing attack, Mark was whipping the ball all over the place opening up the running game in the 2nd half.
Not only did Sanchez finish 18/31 with 272 yards & 1 TD, but 12 of those 18 completions were on 3rd down for 191 yards. He played within himself, he was a playmaker when he needed to be, and most importantly he kept drives alive.
Sanchez was not the only former Trojan in Houston on Sunday. In fact, Sanchez was going against his former roommate LB Brian Cushing and veteran DT Shaun Cody. Cushing led the Texans in tackles with 8, while Cody chipped in 4 of his own before suffering a sprained knee in the 4th quarter.
Final Score: New York Jets 24 @ Houston Texans 7
Here is a quick look at a few other former USC Trojans in action of Week 1 of the 2009-10 NFL Season...
Denver Broncos 12 @ Cincinatti Bengals 7
Aside from the 87-yard tip pass touchdown to Brandon Stokley with less than a minute to go giving the Broncos the win, the Bengals defense looked much improved from last year. Prior to the TD, the Broncos had been held to a 48- & 50-yard field goal. The Bengals defense was led by rookie LB Rey Maualuga's 8 tackles and the 5 tackles & 1 pass deflection by LB Keith Rivers.
On offense for the Bengals, QB Carson Palmer was 21/33 for 247 yards, but could not find the end zone. He threw 2 interceptions, but 1 of them was in his Hail Mary attempt in the waning minutes.
Detroit Lions 27 @ New Orleans Saints 45
For the Saints, RB Reggie Bush had 7 carries for 14 yards & 5 catches for 55 yards. Bush fumbled the ball twice with one of them being recovered by the defense. He also fielded 3 punts for 11 yards giving him 80 yards of total offense on the day. Second-year DT Sedrick Ellis finished with 1 tackle.
Washington Redskins 17 @ New York Giants 23
WR Steve Smith showed why he led the Giants in receptions last year (57) and that he is willing to step up for the incarcerated Plaxico Burress. Smith led the Giants in both receptions & yards on Sunday finishing with 6 catches for 80 yards. DB Terrell Thomas played well in the starting roll for the Giants with 3 tackles & 1 pass deflection.
St. Louis Rams 0 @ Seattle Seahawks 28
In the shutout win, Seahawks Pro Bowl LB Lofa Tatupu had 3 tackles & 1 sack and DE Lawrence Jackson had 2 tackles & 1 sack of his own.
Philadelphia Eagles 38 @ Carolina Panthers 10
In a game dominated by the Eagles defense, DT Mike Patterson had 5 tackles & 0.5 sacks.
Chicago Bears 15 @ Green Bay Packers 21
Playing in his first NFL game, LB Clay Matthews had 1 tackle, which was for a loss.
See you in Week 2...
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Congrats to the USC Trojans for an amazing comeback win against Ohio State on Saturday. You had us all on the edge of our seats.
Photo: James Keivom/NY Daily News
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