• Recap
• Bleachers

Garrard, Jaguars stymie Buccaneers

Aug 24, 2008 - 3:10 AM By Ted Fleming PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars took advantage of a pair of early mistakes and never relinquished the lead in a 23-17 preseason victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night.

David Garrard played the entire first half for Jacksonville (2-1), throwing one interception and a touchdown. He came out for the first drive of the second half and drove his team 69 yards in seven plays, taking just three minutes off the clock.

A 4-yard pass to tight end Marcedes Lewis ended the night for Garrard, who finished 10-of-16 for 118 yards and two touchdowns, including an 8-yard scoring pass to Dennis Northcutt following an interception of Jeff Garcia that made it 10-0.

Garcia saw his first action of the preseason for Tampa Bay. He played most of the first half and showed a little rust, getting intercepted twice - half as many as he threw all of 2007 - but finished with a flourish, connecting with Michael Clayton for a 10-year TD strike.

The 38-year old Garcia completed 11-of-18 passes for 79-yards.

Brian Griese, who is fighting for one of the backup spots on the Bucs roster, took over with 2:20 left in the half. He finished 7-for-11 for 71 yards but his first drive ended in a missed field goal.

Jacksonville's Trae Williams intercepted Luke McCown's pass at 9:36 of the fourth, leading to a 25-field goal by Josh Scobee to make it 23-10.

Graham managed just seven yards on five carries for Tampa Bay (2-1).