INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Rams rallied behind quarterback Stetson Bennett IV to beat the Cowboys 31-21 in the preseason opener, which looked very different from last year's 13-12 contest. The defense also contributed standout performances, along with some experimental positioning.
Here are five interesting stats from the game:
Bennett's first career multi-touchdown game
The third-year quarterback out of Georgia looked like a completely different player than he was a year ago, when he threw four interceptions against the same opponent. Bennett completed 16 of 24 pass attempts for 188 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also set a personal record for most yards thrown in a quarter with 114 in the first.
His decision-making and accuracy were both much improved, which he attributed to increased confidence and comfortability in the Rams' offense.
Inside linebacker Pooh Paul Jr. gets three stops, via Pro Football Focus
Paul was one of the more highly anticipated players to suit up for Saturday's preseason game, and he didn't disappoint. He called plays for the defense serving as the green dot while on the field, and made five tackles on 34 defensive snaps. Three of those were stops, constituting an unsuccessful play for the offense.
Ethan Evans averaged a career-high 72.5 yards per punt
Evans' second punt of the day traveled 81 yards, the longest of his career. It was a booming kick that completely flipped the field for the Rams.
Prior to that, he kicked a punt 67 yards in the air, which was downed at the five-yard line after a sideways bounce gave the gunners time to catch up with it, but it was called back due to a penalty. The punt that counted went 64 yards in the air. Evans' huge leg, forged through an absurd weight-lifting routine, was on full display.
Running back Cody Schrader averaged 11.8 yards per carry
Schrader's explosive day gave him the most yards per carry of any player with five-plus attempts in the preseason so far. He finished the day with five carries for 59 yards along with a nine-yard touchdown reception.
Josh Wallace, who played cornerback last year, played 21 snaps as a safety
Of the 154 defensive snaps Wallace played last season, only one was at deep safety, according to PFF. On Saturday, however, he played exclusively safety, which moved him back deep for 14 plays and in the box/slot for seven.
He made two total tackles, and even body slammed Dallas tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the flat. He drew a taunting penalty for standing over him, which head coach Sean McVay said is something Wallace will learn from.
"Josh is really versatile," said head coach Sean McVay after the game. "He's got a lot of ability to be able to play in a lot of spots… I love the way that he played."
