ROOKIE ANDREW MUKUBA GIVES EAGLES FANS A REASON TO SMILE AFTER UGLY PRESEASON LOSS TO BROWNS

Linebacker Jihaad Campbell speaks at his locker after the game. The first round draft pick recorded his first sack as a pro. Photo by Al Thompson.

For those who can't stand NFL preseason games, congratulations...Saturday was your day.

The Eagles-Browns affair was as forgettable as a game could be.

The final score was 22-13, but does not indicate how poorly the game was play...particularly at the Eagles quarterback position.

The Birds (1-1) offense scored a measly six points – all in the second quarter when Kyle McCord passed to Ainias Smith down the middle for 9 yard touchdown.

The other seven points came on a 75-yard pick-six by rookie safety Andrew Mukuba.

The Eagles offense also handed the Browns seven points when Cleveland's K.J. Henry, a

defensive end, intercepted Dorian Thompson-Robinson for 45 yard touchdown.

Mukuba was asked what it felt like running down the field with the ball knowing he was scoring.

“That's a feeling I want to have all the time,” Makuba said at his locker after the game. “I hope there is more to come. It was great to have the crowd behind me. I was glad because it helped the the team get the lead.”

Mukuba, who also recovered a fumble setting up the Eagles lone touchdowm, said he has the ball and mount it somewhere in his house.

Rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell said he knew Mukuba had it in him to have an impact on the game.

“I knew he had it in him,” said Campbell, who registered his first sack as a pro against rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a third round pick out of Oregon.

STATS – OFFENSE

Kyle McCord was 8 of 16 for 47 yards, a nine-yard TD and a QB rating of 77.1

Dorian Thompson-Robinson was 5 of 8 for 17 yards and a pick siz. QB rating of 27.1

As a team rushed 19 times for 33 yards. Montrell Johnson carried led the Eagles with 20 yards on six carries.

STATS - DEFENSE   

Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. led the Eagles with seven tackles (three solo).

Safety Triston McCollum recorded five tackles (four solo).

In addition to Campbell, edger usher Azeez Ajulari and defensive tackle Joe Evans recorded sacks. *

Email Al Thompson at al.thompson@footballstories.com