Rookie QB Clayton Tune scores Cardinals’ 1st touchdown of preseason

Clayton Tune orchestrated his first touchdown drive, a 10 play, 58 yard drive to tie the game at 10-10 early in the fourth quarter.

BY STEPHEN GUGLIOCIELLO

Aug 11, 2023, 10:05 PM Updated: Aug 12, 2023, 12:09 am

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The Arizona Cardinals have found the end zone for the first time in the NFL preseason.

Clayton Tune orchestrated his first touchdown drive of the preseason, a 10-play, 58-yard drive that lasted 5:12 to tie the game at 10-10 early in the fourth quarter on Friday at State Farm Stadium.

The drive started in the third quarter, albeit auspiciously for Tune, who took a sack on the first play for a 12-yard loss on a play-action pass attempt, but got hit before he even turned around. He rallied the offense by converting a short pass to Andre Baccellia for 11 yards, and then Daniel Arias for 17 yards to convert the 3rd and 11.

After a few short runs, and the flipping of the field for the change of quarter, Tune connected with Davion Davis for 16 yards down to the 10-yard line. On 2nd and goal, Tune hooked up with Kaden Davis for the score over the middle.

In total, Tune went 6-for-7 for 67 yards on the drive. He would be replaced by fourth-year quarterback David Blough on the next drive.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Tune after the game. “There’s a lot more responsibility, play calls, tags, motions, all that type of stuff. Seeing rotations from the defense … it’s fun to have a lot more on my plate, felt good about it.”

For the game, Tune finish with 135 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 13-for-23 passing.

Veteran signal caller Colt McCoy got the starting nod Friday night with Kyler Murray sidelined as he recovers from knee surgery.

The 13-year veteran went 4-for-4 on the first drive for 17 yards, helping Arizona pick up a pair of first downs. The Cardinals eventually punted after nine plays.

The Cardinals went on to win 18-17.