Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza made his debut on Friday night, thanking God after he put up outstanding numbers and thanked God.
“First, I want to thank God and my teammates and coaches for allowing me the opportunity,” Mendoza told reporters. “Today was an invigorating experience where there’s not many moments where you feel fully alive, and on the field is when you feel fully alive, especially in the NFL atmosphere.”
“So I want to give thanks for that. It was great to get out there, get my feet wet. I think it was a good experience,” he added.
Mendoza had a 100.3 passer rating and threw one TD pass. He almost had another in the fourth quarter but threw just too far out of reach for Deven Thompkins. Overall, Mendoza went “10 of 16 for 97 yards and a 6-yard TD pass to Jack Bech,” according to ESPN.
Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak is excited for the future with Mendoza because he sees the rookie’s potential.
“I thought he led a good scoring drive as far as getting in and out of the huddle and commanding the group and getting the play calls down,” Kubiak said. “I saw the same guy that we’ve seen in practice. I see an ascending player.”
Related: Raiders Rookie QB Declares God ‘Brought Me’ to New Starting Position
Mendoza was bit harder on himself.
“Unfortunately, I let my teammates down today but it’s a growing experience,” he said of the loss. “I feel like we’re all growing, and it showed me that I need to grow a lot.”
But Mendoza is holding on to the positives.
“It was great to get out there,” Mendoza expressed, “Especially the first drive, felt a little sped up because of so much anticipation and excitement, however, I feel like my teammates around me protected me very well and they helped slow me down.”
Mendoza’s counterpart Kirk Cousins also had a great showing in his first game as a Raider.
Cousins went “5-of-6 for 50 yards, connecting on passes to Tre Tucker, Michael Mayer and Jack Bech. With the veteran quarterback being so accurate, his offensive line deserves credit. Cousins was untouched in the pocket, while Ashton Jeanty averaged short of six yards a carry,” the Raiders reported.
The Raiders will take on the Houston Texans this Thursday, where Mendoza looks to grab the first win of his rookie career.
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