The Jacksonville Jaguars are 1-0 in the preseason after beating the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night, 28-23.
With most of the Cowboys’ starters on the bench and the Jaguars’ first-team units getting some early play, Jacksonville jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half. But that early advantage disappeared when Dallas scored 16 straight to take a 16-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Then Nathan Rourke happened.
The Jaguars’ third-string quarterback, who signed with the team in January after starring in the Canadian Football League, shredded the Cowboys defense on back-to-back touchdown drives to seal the deal.
Jaguars MVP of the game: QB Nathan Rourke
The Jaguars’ third-string quarterback made a compelling case for the backup job Saturday night after taking over in the second half. Rourke started relatively slow, completing only one of five passes on his first drive. Then he caught fire and led the Jaguars down the field on a 75-yard touchdown drive followed by a 67-yard drive punctuated by one of the most ridiculous touchdown passes you’ll ever see.
Teams rarely carry three quarterbacks into the regular season, but there’s a good chance the Jaguars would lose Rourke if they try to stash him on their practice squad.
Cowboys MVP of the game: RB Deuce Vaughn
Dallas fans were excited to see their diminutive running back in action for the first time and he didn’t disappoint. He zigged and zagged through the Jaguars defense, even making Antonio Johnson tackle his own teammates on one play.
Jaguars play of the game: Nathan Rourke’s magician act on a 21-yard touchdown
It's not over until Nathan says it's over.@nathan_rourke #JAXvsDAL on CBS pic.twitter.com/LGOpiBRvOw
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 12, 2023
Rourke was already having an impressive night before he pulled off one of the more remarkable plays you’ll see all year, preseason or otherwise. After shaking off three Cowboys defenders, he fired to Qadree Ollison as a fourth pass rusher was bringing him down.
It was over when Rourke scrambled for eight yards and a first down with less than two minutes left to move the chains and guarantee the Cowboys wouldn’t get another offensive possession.
Stat that says it all: Zero sacks allowed
While it was a game that provided the Jaguars with plenty of things to work on ahead of the regular season, the offensive line can hold its head high. All three quarterbacks were given enough time to make plays downfield and lead the offense into the end zone. No Cowboys players managed to record a sack on the day and Jaguars rushers combined for 133 yards on the day.
What’s next: The Jaguars will stay on the road for their second of three preseason games, traveling to Detroit to face the Lions. Prior to the game, the Jaguars will head to Motor City a little early for a couple joint practices with the Lions.
