Eagles' comeback falls short in OT

by Tracy Timson sports editor

You prepare all year for the season opener. In the off-season you prepare with the thought of who will be your first opponent. Thoughts of winning are in each player's heart. After all, this game either starts your season right or starts your season wrong. It allows you to see where you stand as a team and what still needs worked on.

On Sunday, Sept. 9, 2001, the Eagles had their home opener. The team walked out onto their new turf prepared to play the St. Louis Rams. The game started off with the Eagles receiving the ball. On the first snap of the game the exchange between the quarterback and the center was never completed. The ball was fumbled and the Rams recovered it on the Eagles 13 yard line. With only 13 yards to go it did not take long for the Rams to score and take the lead in the game.

After a few stops by both defenses the Eagles managed to muster up a drive but fell short and decided to kick a field goal. The Rams also had their chance as punt turner Az Hakim returned a punt for a touchdown but was called back on a penalty.

The Eagles began to make game momentum again until a mentum was all in the Eagles• favor. On the ensuing kickoff the Rams fumbled but eventually recovered it again. That did not stop the Eagles. They stopped the Rams' offense once again and forced a punt. McNabb once again had the ball in his hands and the pressure. on his shoulders. He rose to the occasion as all great athletes do and marched his offense into the end zone once again. The pass was completed to Martin once again to tie up the game at 17 a piece. With not much time left the game was forced into overtime.

In overtime the Eagles won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first. During the next drive the Eagles were stuffed by the Rams defense and were forced to punt the ball away. The Rams received the ball with great field position and did not need much to get into the range of kicker Jeff Wilkins. They drove the ball anyway and made it an even easier kick for the win. Final score for the Eagles opener was 20-17 in favor of St. Louis.

Marshall Faulk of the Rams had 120 yards of total offense and scored a touchdown. The MVP of the NFL last year was tough to stop in all areas of the game. While on the Eagles side of the ball McNabb had it all on his shoulders once again while throwing over 300 yards in the game. All in all it was a disappointing season opener for the Eagles but nothing to get them down since they were playing a quality playoff- bound completed pass to Chad Lewis was fumbled into the hands of Adam Archelleta. The rookie from Arizona State returned the ball to the Eagles 30- yard line. Once again it did not take long for the potent Rams to take advantage of the turnover. On a two yard pass from Kurt Warner to Ernie Conwell the Rams took a 14- 3 lead going into halftime.

William Hampton of the Eagles and Quinton Caver try to recover the ball after it was fumbled by the Rams. team.

After the half the Rams got the ball back and drove the ball downfield before the Eagles denied them on the one-yard line. The Rams kicked a field goal to push their lead to 17-3.

Finally the Eagles came alive in the fourth quarter. Donavan McNabb began to scramble and the receivers began to catch like the pros they are. With 10 minutes left in the fourth McNabb passed to Martin on fourth down, the ball was spotted on the one-yard 1in'eand was supposedly turned over on downs. Coach Andy Reid pulled out his red flag and challenged the calls to the officials. His challenge was upheld and the call was a touchdown. Now the mo-

Eaglesschedule

Regular Season

Sept. 9 ST. LOUIS Rams 20, Eagles 17

Sept. 16 @Tampa Bay I :00 p.m. EST

Sept. 23 @ Seattle 4:15 p.m. EST

Sept. 30 DALLAS 8:30p.m.B.U

Oct. 7 ARIZONA 1:00 p.m. &ST

Oct. 14 BYE

Oct. 22 @NY Giants 9:00 p.m. EST

Oct. 28 OAKLAND 4: 15 p.m. EST ;

Nov.4 @Arizona 4:05 p.m. EST

Nov. 11 MINNESOTA 4: 15 p.m. EST

Nov. 18 @ Dallas 1:00 p.m. EST

Nov. 25 WASHINGTON 1:00 p.m. EST

Nov. 29 @ Kansas City 8:30 p.m. EST

Dec.9 SANDIEGO 1:00 p.m. EST

Dec.16 @ Washington 1:00 p,m. EST

Dec. 22 @ San Francisco 5:00 p.m. &ST

Dec.30 NYGJANTS 4:0Sp.m.mT