Gameday

First down
It was probably the most anticipated debut for a Lions player since quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2009.

When running back Mikel Leshoure took his first hand off at the 8:02 mark of the first quarter in Oakland, Saturday, it was the first time he’d carried the football in a game in nearly 20 months.

“This was his first action; we got him almost exactly what we wanted to get him,” head coach Jim Schwartz said after the game.
“We weren’t going to put him out there for a whole half of football the very first time.  

"He ran aggressively; a couple times where there were guys there he ran physical, took the fight to them.  We didn’t run the ball very well at all but I thought Leshoure did some good things for his first time.”

Leshoure played in 18 straight snaps to begin his debut and finished with just one yard on five carries with little running room to navigate through.

But Leshoure will take it for his first time out.

“This isn’t college anymore,” he said. “You aren’t going to see wide open gaping holes. It’s going to be grind. There’s going to be two or three (defenders) there. It’s just a thing where you’ve got to keep pounding.”

The biggest thing Leshoure should take from Saturday night is that he got his feet wet and looked comfortable running the ball after a long layoff from game action.

Second down
Lions defensive end Willie Young has played in three preseason games and has made at least one impact play in all three.

In the opener against the Browns, Young had the defensive trifecta with a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery – all on the same play.

Last week against the Ravens, Young made an impact on special teams by getting his hand on a punt.
Saturday night against the Raiders Young intercepted a Carson Palmer pass at the Oakland 11-yard line.
Young was even kind enough to display his ‘Reel Em In’ celebration after the interception.

“I’m doing what I’ve always done, ever since I had my dad on the sideline in Pop Warner,” Young said. “Just being a playmaker. Flying around making plays with my defense, and making the best of my opportunity.”

Third down
With punt returner Stefan Logan nursing an ankle injury and out of the lineup Saturday in Oakland, there was much anticipation to see receiver Titus Young get his first crack at returning a punt in the NFL.

“Returning punts is more of a challenge and it’s more of a chance to create your space a little bit more,” Young said early in training camp after returning punts in practice. “Punt return is really where my heart is.

"Ever since I was younger that's where I really got noticed, just catching the ball and just making a lot of people miss. I’d definitely love to do (it)."

Young only returned 11 punts at Boise State for 76 yards (6.91 average). He said coaches at Boise State had a zero-tolerance policy when it came to muffing punts and a couple dropped balls cost him a chance to be the full-time punt returner.

Young got his chance at a return with 27 seconds left in the first quarter, but was forced to fair catch a short punt. He caught it cleanly. Young will have to wait.

Fourth down
Raiders backup quarterback Terrelle Pryor spent three seasons at Ohio State before his NFL career. In those three years, he had an undefeated record against Michigan and Michigan State.

Pryor was back at it again Saturday against the Lions, leading the Raiders to a 24-13 victory. Pryor completed 3 of 5 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns and rushed four times for 81 yards and another score.

Both of his touchdown passes were to receiver Juron Criner. The first covered 39 yards and the other 76 yards.