Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) throws the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP News photo)

Raiders Rout San Francisco In Pre-Season Opener 34-7

By Barbara Mason

While it is the first game of pre-season, the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers remain rivals despite the new geographical look for the Raiders. The rivalry has endured.

Las Vegas took an early 7-0 lead in the opening quarter. 10 plays and 68 yards later Zamir White rushed for one yard and the touchdown. This was their first drive of the game and Daniel Carlson capped it off with the extra point.

San Francisco tied up the game in the second quarter. Quarterback Trey Lance connected with Ross Dwelley for nine yards and the touchdown. The Raiders answered scoring before the half. With .34 seconds left on the clock Aiden O’Connell found Keelan Cole Sr. for 9 yards and touchdown followed by a second extra point from Daniel Carlson. They took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.

The third quarter was all Raiders. Daniel Carlson connected on a 53-yard field goal giving the Raiders a 17-7 lead. This was just the start of domination by Las Vegas. With 1:24 left in the third, Sincere McCormick romped into the end zone for 2 yards and another Raider touchdown for a 24-7 lead.

Las Vegas completed the rout in the fourth quarter scoring twice. Daniel Carlson had a second field goal in the quarter, a 46 yarder giving the Raiders a 27-7 lead. Sincere McCormick had a second touchdown in the quarter. He pulled in a 2 yard pass from Chase Garber for the 34-7 lead which was the final.

Aidan O’Connell went 15 of 18 for 141 yards and a touchdown. Chase Garber was 3 of 5 for 11 yards and he also had one touchdown. Las Vegas finished with 120 rushing yards and 146 passing yards. Zamir White had 43 yards on 13 carries.

Of course this was only pre-season but if was obvious that Las Vegas put more thought into the game plan for this game then San Francisco.

Next up for Las Vegas in the second game of the pre-season will be the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. That kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM next Saturday August 19.

On Sat 19 the 49ers will host the Denver Broncos at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara for the Niners first pre season home game a 5:30pm kick off. Michael Roberson will be reporting from Levi Stadium.