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Jags beat Bucs 20-7

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com
Posted 12/31/69

JACKSONVILLE - With a manageable amount of time in the pocket, Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback Mac Jones, a product of The Bolles School just a few minutes from Everbank Field, put two passes into …

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Jags beat Bucs 20-7


Posted

JACKSONVILLE - With a manageable amount of time in the pocket, Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback Mac Jones, a product of The Bolles School just a few minutes from Everbank Field, put two passes into the end zone to lead the Jaguars to a 20-7 preseason win over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday night. Jacksonville travels to Atlanta for their next preseason game on Friday, August 23 before opening at Miami on September 8.

Jones finished with 210 passing yards while running backs Gary Brightwell and Tank Bigsby ran the ball often; nine for 43 yards and 10 for 37, respectively.
"I think it's been laid back here, but very organized," said Jones, in a pregame interview with ESPN writer Mike DiRocco. "And when I went to Alabama, you're a freshman, you're young, and then you kind of grow into your player. So I feel like that's a correlation. The facilities here are amazing and the coaches and the organization here, they do everything A to Z, so I feel like that's more my vibe and I do feel like I'm having fun again. Winning is fun."
Tampa Bay's defense registered five sacks on the night to shed light on the Jaguars offensive line protection. The Bucs were victimized on great plays twice on the night with an interception off Jones in the first quarter that was flagged and a touchdown run that was also negated by a flag.
Jacksonville registered just three sacks; one on starter Kyle Trask.
Jacksonville played without starters Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and Travis Etienne at running back, plus a dozen other players destined to remain on the Jaguars roster, but still offered fans an offense that moved efficiently down the field.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson offered some insight into the two days of joint practice with the Bucs on Thursday and Friday before the Saturday game.
"You get starters a chance to get a lot of reps in a controlled environment against another football team," Pederson said. "I thought both teams showed great sportsmanship during the week. I was proud of the way our guys handled themselves."
One casualty of the game was Jacksonville's other backup quarterback C.J. Beathard, who was injured in the second half and did not finish the game giving Jones more time at the controls.
Jones finished with 16 of 23 passes for 210 yards and the two scores; one a 25-yard beauty through the middle of the Bucs secondary in the second quarter that Parker Washington snagged in full stride and on his fingertips, and the second to rookie wide receiver Brevin Easton in the fourth quarter.
Jones' third target was Austin Trammell, who caught four passes for 75 yards; one a 30-yarder to the Bucs five that ended with a field goal.
Tampa Bay, without Baker Mayfield in the backfield at quarterback, relied on University of Florida's Kyle Trask who hit wide receiver Cody Thompson on the drive after Washington's catch that tied the game at 7-7.
Former Bishop Kenny High quarterback John Wolford, who was in the Clay 74-73 region semifinal win in 2013, played spot duty in the second half for Tampa Bay before leaving with an injury.