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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 7, 2006

Raiders hold off Chang-led Eagles

 •  Mahelona learning nuances of pro football

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Philadelphia quarterback Tim Chang completed 9 of 17 passes for 84 yards, but threw an interception on the Eagles' final possession.

MARK DUNCAN | Associated Press

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CANTON, Ohio — Philadelphia rookie Tim Chang finished as the game's leading passer, but was thwarted in his attempt to rally the Eagles to a fourth-quarter comeback yesterday in the NFL Hall of Fame game.

Chang, a former Saint Louis School and University of Hawai'i star, threw an interception with 29 seconds to play and Oakland ran out the clock for a 16-10 win.

Chang, who is competing with veterans Jeff Garcia and Koy Detmer for a spot behind starter Donovan McNabb, completed 9 of 17 passes for 84 yards, with the one interception. McNabb was 3 of 3 for 29 yards, Garcia was 5 for 10 for 43 yards with an interception and Detmer was 2 of 6 for 12 yards. Oakland's Marques Tuiasosopo was 5 of 15 for 63 yards.

Chang guided the Eagles on five fourth-quarter possessions — two ended on fumbles by running back Bruce Perry — with the final drive starting on Philadelphia's 10 with 1:48 to play and Oakland ahead 16-10.

A 9-yard completion to Michael Gasperson and a 10-yard run by Perry put the ball at the 29. After throwing incomplete, Chang hit Gasperson deep across the middle for 27 yards.

Chang stopped the clock by spiking the ball, then hit Andy Thorn for 5 yards. Facing third-and-5 at Oakland's 39 with 1:14 left, Chang tried to hit Gasperson in the left flat but threw behind the receiver and cornerback Dennis Davis intercepted to snuff any hopes of an Eagles' comeback.

The Raiders forced five turnovers and Sebastian Janikowski kicked field goals of 50, 51 and 24 yards in the first preseason game of the season.

"Coming up with turnovers was huge tonight," said Raiders coach Art Shell. "They are reacting to the ball."

Shell was rehired a dozen years after being fired as Oakland's coach. His mission: bring back the glory of the franchise for which he was a Hall of Fame tackle.

"It feels really good to be back," Shell said. "And getting a win is huge, because no matter if it is preseason, everybody wants to win."

Philadelphia's David Akers set a game record with a 55-yard field goal in the second quarter. And the Eagles' first-stringers were solid on both sides of the ball.

"It was good that the offense got a chance to get out there and get things rolling," Mc-Nabb said. "I felt healthy, so it's an exciting time right now."