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Stanton powers Lions past Giants

Aug 8, 2008 - 2:09 AM By Chuck Klonke PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The running of second-year quarterback Drew Stanton helped the Detroit Lions spoil the 2008 preseason debut of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants on Thursday.

After missing all of last season following knee surgery, Stanton ran three times for 29 yards to set up rookie Eddie Johnson's 41-yard field goal with 2:47 remaining in the fourth quarter as the Lions recorded a 13-10 triumph over the Giants in the preseason opener for both teams.

New York tied the game early in the fourth quarter on David Carr's 13-yard touchdown pass to Craphonso Thorpe.

The most impressive of the Lions players was wide receiver Calvin Johnson, the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. Johnson, who was hampered by a back injury most of his rookie season, caught four passes for 78 yards - including a 38-yarder in Detroit's first touchdown drive.

Starting quarterback Jon Kitna looked sharp for the Lions, completing six of seven passes for 106 yards. Kitna hit Roy Williams with a 20-yard scoring strike to cap an eight-play, 78-yard march after the opening kickoff.

Eli Manning played the first quarter at quarterback for New York and completed just two of six passes for 19 yards. Anthony Wright and Carr split the final three quarters.

Safety Kenny Phillips, who was drafted in the first round - 31st overall - by the Giants, recorded four tackles.