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Stover, Ravens roll over Eagles

Aug 14, 2007 - 2:59 AM By Mike McGeehan PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BALTIMORE (Ticker) - Matt Stover left off right where he ended last season as the Baltimore Ravens' main scoring weapon, hitting five field goals Monday night as the Ravens defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 29-3, at M&T Bank Stadium.

Stover, in his 18th year, hit field goals from 50, 41, 50, 23 and 41 yards. It was the most field goals in a preseason game he has ever hit and the first time he has hit two from 50 yards out.

The Ravens took a 7-0 lead on the opening drive of the game on a six-yard pass from Steve McNair to tight end Quinn Sypniewski.

McNair was 6-of-8 for 73 yards and a TD on that drive, his only appearance in the game. It was a hopeful sign for a team known mainly for its defense, which was ranked No. 1 overall last season.

Willis McGahee, the new running back acquired from Buffalo in the offseason, played only that first series, carrying the ball four times for 20 yards. One of those rushes was for a gain of 16.

The Eagles, playing without quarterback Donovan McNabb, managed their only points on a lone field goal by David Akers from 23 yards out with 2:17 left in the second quarter.

Starting quarterback A.J Feeley was 5-for-7 for 56 yards in the first quarter, hitting running back Brian Westbrook for 23 yards as his longest pass of the game.

Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith made his NFL debut in the third quarter for the Ravens, going 3-for-11 for 34 yards after relieving Kyle Boller, who was 7-for-12 for 40 yards.

Eagles tight end Brent Celek led Philadelphia with four catches for 59 yards and rookie quarterback Kevin Kolb was 11-for-20 for 77 yards.

The Eagles' running game was non-existent, totalling 23 yards on the ground compared to the Ravens' 157. Corey Ross led the Ravens with 11 rushes for 65 yards, all in the second half.

The game was played in front of 71,060 people, the second-largest ever to watch the Ravens in Baltimore.