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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Raiders A Hit In San Diego

Bernie Wilson Associated Press

Big plays, big hits, big penalties. The Oakland Raiders, it appears, are back.

The Raiders knocked out San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries in the first quarter, then beat the Chargers 23-14 in a wild game Monday night, a third straight victory that evened their record at 4-4.

“Even when we were 1-4, we had a good feeling about this team, the same feeling that we had in training camp,” coach Mike White said.

It’s Oakland’s first three-game streak since last November, just before it went on an 0-6 nosedive to finish 8-8 and out of the playoffs.

Quarterback Jeff Hostetler was precise in his passing, and defensive tackle Chester McGlockton knocked Humphries from the game and later forced a key fumble. The Raiders held the Chargers (4-3) to just 29 yards rushing on 20 carries. They also committed 11 penalties for 97 yards.

“I think our defense was exceptional,” White said. “I think Chester McGlockton probably had the best game I’ve seen him play as a Raider.”

McGlockton helped turn the game when he stuck his helmet into Humphries’ back as the quarterback slid at the end of a 5-yard run late in the first quarter. Rob Fredrickson also hit Humphries, who sustained a minor dislocation of his left (non-throwing) shoulder.

“When you slide, you’re supposed to be down,” Humphries said. “I’ve seen things less than that be called.”

“I don’t think you can classify it as a late hit,” Chargers coach Bobby Ross said.

The injury is similar to the one Humphries sustained in the last game of 1992. He was able to play the following week.

Things got worse for San Diego.

Midway through the third quarter, linebackers Junior Seau and Kurt Gouveia collided helmet-to-helmet, and Seau lay on the ground for several minutes. Both later returned, but the Chargers had a rookie and a second-year pro in their places as Derrick Fenner caught a short pass from Hostetler and worked his way through traffic for a 17-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead with 8:02 left in the quarter.

Sean Salisbury played well in Humphries’ stead, throwing two TD passes to Tony Martin and finishing 22 of 35 for 252 yards with an interception. But Salisbury was also victimized by a big play that killed a Chargers’ scoring opportunity.

After Fenner’s touchdown, Andre Coleman returned the kick 39 yards and a low block by a Raider added 15 yards to the Oakland 41. Salisbury hit Martin for a 17-yard gain to the 24. But McGlockton came racing through on the next play and hit Salisbury as he prepared to hand off to Leonard Russell, jarring the ball loose. Pat Swilling picked it up and ran 49 yards to the Chargers 17.

TV replays appeared to show that McGlockton was offside. But McGlockton said left guard Eric Moten was moving early.