The Arizona Cardinals’ first series of the preseason was a positive one that put points on the board, and they used that momentum to take down the Cincinnati Bengals 36-23.

Third-string quarterback Trace McSorley got the starting nod for Arizona, and the dual-threat option used both parts of his game to get Arizona a touchdown.

After an eight-yard toss to Andy Isabella and two rushes for six yards from Eno Benjamin, McSorley nearly threw an interception before a deep ball on third down to Isabella drew a 40-yard pass interference call.

That got the Cardinals down to the Bengals’ 25-yard line, where a 12-yard designed run for McSorley picked up another first down.

Trace McSorley on a keeper and has the @AZCardinals driving! @McSorley_IX

📱: Stream #AZvsCIN on NFL+ https://t.co/DqhJvWly2R pic.twitter.com/btfcfAxTr3

— NFL (@NFL) August 12, 2022

A two-yard rush via Benjamin was followed by a nifty rollout by McSorley to find wideout Greg Dortch for seven more yards.

On 3rd-and-1, it was more of getting McSorley’s legs moving. The signal caller rolled to the left on the play-action pass, where he’d see an open Andre Baccellia and hurled a four-yard touchdown pass.

THROW IT ON A DIME.@McSorley_IX to Andre Baccellia! @AZCardinals

📱: Stream #AZvsCIN on NFL+ https://t.co/DqhJvWly2R pic.twitter.com/E2IKSOJf2p

— NFL (@NFL) August 12, 2022

Kicker Matt Prater missed the extra point.

Arizona got a field goal from Prater on its next drive for a 9-0 lead midway through the first quarter, thanks in large part to a huge catch by Dortch for 30 yards and a screen pass to running back Jonathan Ward that gained another 21.

McSorley back at it. Great catch from @_GDortch, too.

📱: Stream #AZvsCIN on NFL+ https://t.co/DqhJvWly2R pic.twitter.com/rwIpUtcXJP

— NFL (@NFL) August 13, 2022

The Bengals added two field goals of their own before a one-yard touchdown carry for Ward came thanks to a Cincinnati fumble recovered by linebacker Joe Walker. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson nailed one of those from 58 yards before getting his third of the first half, this time at 56 yards to make it a score of 16-9 Cardinals.

With four minutes left in the first half, it was McSorley’s best showing of the half.

On a 3rd-and-6, McSorley escaped a collapsing pocket to find room for a 36-yard connection to Isabella.

THROWS IT ON A DIME!@McSorley_IX x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/HhmdQtXkeL

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 13, 2022

Another run for McSorley, this time in a scrambling situation, went 16 yards to put the Cardinals one yard out from scoring. That’s where Ward punched in his second touchdown of the game for a 23-9 lead at halftime.

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano would take over for McSorley in the second half. McSorley ended the night 13-of-22 on his passes for 163 yards and a touchdown, plus four rushes for 32 yards.

Wideout Jontre Kirklin and running back Keaontay Ingram got into the end zone in the second half for Arizona while the Bengals’ two touchdowns came from running back Jacques Patrick and wide receiver Kendric Pryor.

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