Cowboys vs. Chargers: Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 Preseason

The San Diego Chargers made waves this offseason when they drafted Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon, but it was their other running backs who starred during Thursday's 17-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in each team's first 2015 preseason contest.

Branden Oliver and Danny Woodhead both found the end zone for San Diego's two touchdowns, and the defense did the rest of the work with two fumble recoveries and a bend-but-don't-break approach throughout the game.

The Chargers actually only mustered 199 yards of total offense, but it was enough on a night when Dallas rested quarterback Tony Romo, wide receiver Dez Bryant and running back Joseph Randle.

Here is a look at the top statistical performances from Thursday's contest:

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Player	Team	Pass Completions	Passing Yards	Touchdowns	Interceptions
Dustin Vaughan	Dallas Cowboys	12-of-18	106	0	0
Kellen Clemens	San Diego Chargers	5-of-10	31	0	0
Player	Team	Rushing Attempts	Rushing Yards	Touchdowns	Per Carry Average
Gus Johnson	Dallas Cowboys	13	35	1	2.7
Branden Oliver	San Diego Chargers	10	53	1	5.3
Player	Team	Catches	Receiving Yards	Touchdowns	Targets
Gavin Escobar	Dallas Cowboys	5	47	0	7
Dontrelle Inman	San Diego Chargers	2	15	0	2

The Chargers took a 14-7 lead into the locker room behind that strong rushing attack. Woodhead got the scoring started with an eight-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter, but Gus Johnson answered for the Cowboys with a five-yard score of his own.

NFL Network and the NFL shared highlights of the touchdowns:

San Diego established some momentum in the closing moments of the first half when Oliver capped off an impressive showing with a 10-yard touchdown. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune commented on the running back's play:

The first half of the first preseason game is typically when fans get the opportunity to see the stars, but Romo and Bryant did not lace it up for Dallas. The veteran Philip Rivers started for the Chargers but only threw two passes for 20 yards before exiting for the night.

Of more long-term interest was the performance from the rookie running back Gordon considering the Chargers drafted him after they finished a dismal 30th in the league in rushing yards last season. Gordon was a game-changing back at Wisconsin and a Heisman Trophy finalist, and San Diego needs his production to be a balanced team in 2015.

Gordon discussed his mindset entering the contest, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com: “I just want to go out there and be productive as an offense. Move the ball down the field, be sharp on assignments and be sharp with the runs and the reads. So that’s the goal.”

Alas, he struggled to gain much traction against the Dallas first-string defense and only tallied 11 yards on six carries. Chargers fans can at least take solace in the early success from Woodhead and Oliver as something of an insurance policy, but Gordon boasts the most upside. Ricky Henne of Chargers.com pointed out that Gordon's runs were better than the stats indicated:

With the notable names on the sidelines, both offenses sputtered throughout the third quarter. It was of note that quarterback Dustin Vaughan stayed on the field out of the locker room for the Cowboys because he is competing with rookie Jameill Showers for the third spot on the depth chart behind Romo and Brandon Weeden (who started Thursday's contest).

Vaughan looked comfortable at times in the pocket and avoided any critical interceptions, but Dan Turner of DallasCowboys.com didn't feel as optimistic as some fans:

Turner's caution was understandable since the Cowboys still found themselves behind 14-7 at the end of the third quarter.

Despite the lead, the Chargers offense did its best to keep Dallas well within striking distance entering the stretch run, as Marty Caswell of The Mighty 1090 noted:

Nick Novak added three more points for San Diego with a 52-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to open up a seemingly insurmountable 10-point lead given the way the majority of the game unfolded.

Showers, though, was given the opportunity to answer the Chargers score, and he moved the ball down the field with relative ease. While he was playing against reserve defenders, his ability to make plays with his legs and arm stood out in what was otherwise a lackluster second half of offense.

His extended drive ultimately stalled on a fourth-down attempt after a couple of first downs, but Showers posted 40 passing yards and 18 rushing yards. Turner praised the backup option during his limited action:

The Chargers then ran out the rest of the clock on the way to their 17-7 win.

What’s Next?

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

The Cowboys will take the field again Aug. 23 against the San Francisco 49ers. While Dallas would like to get its first victory of the preseason, fans are probably more interested in potential appearances from Romo, Bryant and Randle.

Romo and Bryant are proven superstars, but Randle must shoulder more of the offensive load this season with DeMarco Murray on the Philadelphia Eagles. An impressive showing when he finally sees the field in the preseason would likely help bolster his confidence moving forward.

The Chargers hit the road for their next preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 22.

It will be another opportunity for Gordon to pick up critical experience against an NFL defense, especially since Arizona was fifth in the league in scoring defense in 2014. A solid performance against a unit like that would help erase any lingering doubts from his pedestrian showing Thursday.