Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Correll Buckhalter took a shovel pass from Donovan McNabb, ran 48 yards past several would-be tacklers and announced his return to the Philadelphia Eagles' backfield Thursday night.
The Baltimore Ravens rallied for a 20-10 victory, but that didn't spoil the fun for Buckhalter, who missed three of the last four seasons with knee injuries and has not played in the regular season since 2003.
"I feel great, man," Buckhalter said at halftime. "I feel like the old 28."
Buckhalter's catch-and-go ended when he was downed on the 1, and on the next play McNabb threw a touchdown pass to Reno Mahe for a 10-0 lead. The run accounted for nearly half of McNabb's 97 yards through the air on 6-of-10 passing, all in the first half.
Down 10-3 at halftime, the Ravens got a 43-yard touchdown run from Musa Smith to pull even. Matt Stover kicked a 30-yard field goal later in the third quarter to give Baltimore (1-1) its first lead, and Kyle Boller threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Devard Darling with 13:34 left.
Ravens quarterback Steve McNair, who ran for a touchdown in his only series last week, couldn't get Baltimore into the end zone in 30 minutes of play. He went 14-for-18 for 148 yards and no interceptions.
"We did a good job from the 20 to the 20, but we've got to finish now," McNair said.
Darling finished with five catches for 121 yards. He's seeking to earn a starting job as Baltimore's third wide receiver.
Working with a no-huddle offense, the Eagles (1-2) scored on their opening drive after Ravens cornerback Samari Rolle was called for pass interference on the first play from scrimmage. Six plays after the 35-yard penalty, David Akers kicked a 43-yard field goal.
After Baltimore punted, the Eagles benefited from another penalty during an 80-yard drive that produced a touchdown and a 10-0 lead.
On third down at the Philadelphia 22, McNabb threw an incomplete pass. But Ravens linebacker Bart Scott was called for illegal contact away from the play, and McNabb completed a 21-yard pass to L.J. Smith before connecting with Buckhalter.
Playing for the first time this preseason, Buckhalter ran for eight yards on five carries. But after Donovan McNabb flipped him the ball in the first quarter, he showed the speed and footwork that characterized his play three years ago.
He's vying to be the backup behind Brian Westbrook, who sat out the game with a leg injury.
"For him to come back and bounce back this strong," McNabb said, "we cheer for him. He can gain some confidence from this and be able to move on."
The Ravens answered with a 15-play drive that consumed more than nine minutes and produced a 30-yard field goal by Stover.
Late in the half, Baltimore moved to the Philadelphia 23 before Jevon Kearse hit McNair in the pocket, forcing a fumble that was recovered by safety Brian Dawkins. Ray Lewis then forced Mahe to fumble at the Philadelphia 42.
The Ravens moved to the 17 with 18 seconds to go, then inexplicably ran on a third-down play without any timeouts left. The clock ran out before they could try a field goal.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-08-17-06 2116MDT
