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Lightning forces suspension of Redskins-Ravens game

Aug 26, 2007 - 4:33 AM By Erick Smith PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LANDOVER, Maryland (Ticker) -- Todd Collins made his case to become the backup quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Steve McNair looked in midseason form for the Baltimore Ravens.

Ultimately, though, the weather won out as the game was suspended due to lightning with 11:38 to play in the third quarter and the Redskins leading the Ravens, 13-7.

The game was delayed an hour at the start due to lightning, and after a 50-minute delay in the third quarter, the commissioner's office decided to suspend it at 11:55 p.m.

Collins, a 13-year veteran who has not started a NFL game in 10 years, was behind center for Washington with starter Jason Campbell sidelined with an injured knee. On his first snap, he hit Santana Moss for a 40-yard pass that set up an early 45-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham.

Collins also marched the Redskins on a 15-play, 73-yard drive that ended with another Suisham field goal with 12 seconds left in the half for a 7-6 lead. He finished an efficient 8-of-15 for 88 yards against the starting unit of one of the NFL's top defenses.

McNair also played the entire first half, completing 14-of-19 attempts for 98 yards. His 6-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason with 9:40 remaining in the second quarter gave the Ravens a 7-3 lead.

The play of Collins and McNair were the two lone highlights on a sloppy first half. The Beltway rivals combined for nine penalties in the first quarter alone. Neither team could establish a running game.

Ravens starter Willis McGahee gained just 12 yards on four carries, and counterpart Ladell Betts carried five times for 12 yards.

Mark Brunell, who is competing with Collins for the No. 2 spot behind Campbell, started the second half and misfired on two passes before weather struck again.

The final stoppage in play came shortly after Dallas Sartz gave the Redskins a 13-7 lead on a 3-yard interception return of a pass by Kyle Boller.