For the umpteenth time this season, the Raiders were demolished in the second half of a game — this time by a team whose quarterback had been with the franchise for two days.
Football
The Raiders squandered a 16-3 fourth-quarter lead, victimized by embattled Rams QB Baker Mayfield, whom they acquired via waivers this week.
Any chase for a Mountain West championship begins with athletic director Erick Harper, who boldly set the expectations for Arroyo’s successor. He must win and win quickly.
UNLV sophomore defensive back Johnathan Baldwin had a fumble return for a touchdown, an interception and a key pass breakup in a victory Saturday over rival UNR.
Regardless of how the Raiders attempt to spin their failings of the season, a 2-7 start was not the plan or expectation. Owner Mark Davis said as much before the season.
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will play against USC for a fifth and final time as he nears the end of his storied career in Los Angeles.
If they haven’t learned how to play four quarters by November, there’s no reason to think the Raiders will figure it out in the second half of the season.
The schedule was supposed to soften. Instead, the Raiders did — melting Sunday into a Silver and Black puddle before another sellout Caesars Superdome crowd.
Josh Jacobs powered the Raiders to a victory Sunday and eclipsed his mentor’s franchise record for most rushing yards in a player’s first 50 games.
Time is ticking for the Raiders, who have already squandered a pair of 17-point leads and rank dead last in red-zone defense through five games.
Maxx Crosby’s daughter hasn’t arrived, but the Raiders defensive end has as one of the NFL’s premier defenders. His next assignment: Patrick Mahomes on “Monday Night Football.”
Derek Carr’s performance Sunday during a 24-19 loss to the rival Chargers certainly wasn’t satisfactory, but it isn’t worth the panic that it seems to have created.
The rumors that began Thursday morning were confirmed before the sun set Thursday night. UCLA and USC are leaving the Pac-12 in 2024, they announced via Twitter — and thereby leaving Las Vegas, too.
The transition from player to coach seems seamless for former Pro Bowl linebacker Antonio Pierce, who at age 43 displays enthusiasm about his first NFL coaching job.
Nate Hobbs was among the best rookie defensive players in the NFL last season, and will play a crucial role on the Raiders this year whether he starts in the slot or on the outside.