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The Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-21 in their preseason opener on Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
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Blake Corum shows what he can do
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With Kyren Williams carrying the ball 316 times last season, Corum got only limited opportunity as a rookie.
The former Michigan star could help shoulder more of the load if the Rams want to keep Williams — their newly minted $23-million investment — fresh for the long haul.
While it was something of a surprise when coach Sean McVay said Corum would play in the preseason opener, Corum responded by rushing for 32 yards and two touchdowns in nine carries.
Rookie Jarquez Hunter rushed for 41 yards in 11 carries, including an 11-yard gain on a third-and-five play in the third quarter.
Cody Schrader rushed for 59 yards in five carries, including one for a 25-yard gain, and caught a touchdown pass.
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Quarterback Stetson Bennett leads four touchdown drives
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Bennett went into the game after playing with extreme confidence during training camp and a joint practice with the Cowboys.
It showed at times Saturday — he delivered a perfectly placed fourth-down pass to Xavier Smith along the left sideline in the first quarter, and also scrambled for a first down — and avoided momentum-changing miscues.
Bennett completed 16 of 24 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, including a nine-yard pass to Schrader and a five-yard touchdown pass to receiver Brennan Presley. Bennett’s long pass attempt to rookie receiver Konata Mumpfield in the third quarter was picked off by safety Israel Mukuamu.
Bennett, who rushed for 11 yards in three carries, will start next Saturday against the Chargers.
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Josaiah Stewart took a step toward joining the edge-rusher rotation
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Early in the second quarter, Stewart came off the left edge and sacked quarterback Joe Milton for an eight-yard loss.
Starters Jared Verse and Byron Young, watching from the sideline, were no doubt elated.
Stewart, a third-round draft pick from Michigan, adds another element to an ascending pass rush.
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Linebacker Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul showed leadership capability
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Paul, a fifth-round draft pick from Mississippi, started and called defensive signals.
Paul made five tackles.
Shaun Dolac, an undrafted free agent from Buffalo, also started at linebacker and made seven tackles.
Cornerback Cam Lampkin made the catch of the day in the third quarter when he intercepted a long pass in the end zone.
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Kicker Joshua Karty and punter Ethan Evans look ready
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Karty, a second-year pro, kicked a 37-yard field goal and made four extra-point attempts.
Evans punted twice, one kick traveling 81 yards.
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Matthew Stafford watches after completing morning workout
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Stafford, who has not practiced because of a back issue, went through his first passing workout at the Rams’ Woodland Hills facility as scheduled, a Rams official said.
McVay has said that Stafford would begin practicing with the team this week, though he will not participate in a joint practice with the Chargers.
Stafford, 37, is preparing for his 17th NFL season. He is working through an aggravated disc issue, for which he received an epidural injection.
The post Rams vs. Cowboys preseason takeaways: Blake Corum ready for larger role appeared first on Los Angeles Times.
