LaRod Stephens-Howling ignited a wild game Sunday in Arizona.
The Greater Johnstown graduate returned the opening kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown and the Cardinals beat the Oakland Raiders 24-23 in their home opener.
Stephens-Howling fielded the kick from Sebastian Janikowski 2 yards deep in his end zone, returned it up the middle – breaking a couple of arm-tackle attempts along the way – before using his speed to get to the outside. Janikowski had the best chance to stop him at the Cardinals’ 44-yard line, but the 250-pound kicker was no match for the shifty Stephens-Howling.
Rashad Johnson’s block of Stevie Brown at the Raiders’ 14 eliminated Stephens-Howling’s last impediment.
That was just the start of the excitement in a game that ended with Janikowski missing a 32-yard field-goal attempt that would have won the game for Oakland (1-2) on the final play.
“I’ve been in a lot of games in this league, a lot of years, and this game today probably had as many twists and turns as any game I’ve been involved with,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said.
The kick, after a pass interference call against Arizona’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, was wide left. Janikowski missed two others in the game, a 41-yarder and a 58-yarder. Both were wide right.
Derek Anderson threw two touchdown passes, including an 8-yarder to Larry Fitzgerald that proved to be the game winner.
Oakland committed 11 penalties for 123 yards, for Arizona (2-1) seven for 104.
Stephens-Howling did not immediately return messages left by The Tribune-Democrat.
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Related Photos
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Arizona Cardinals running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (36) slips past Oakland Raiders place kicker Sebastian Janikowski to run back the opening kick-off for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
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