OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Latavius Murray scored on runs of 11 and 90 yards for Oakland for the first two rushing touchdowns of the season against Kansas City, and the winless Raiders led the Chiefs 14-3 at halftime on Thursday.
Murray spelled starter Darren McFadden on the second drive and provided a big spark for Oakland’s struggling offense on a rainy night as the Raiders (0-10) try to snap a 16-game losing streak that dates to Nov. 17, 2013, in Houston.
Murray carried twice on his first drive, sprinting 11 yards around the end for Oakland’s first rushing touchdown since Oct. 19 against Arizona. The Chiefs were looking to match the 2011 San Francisco 49ers by becoming the second team ever to allow no rushing touchdowns through 11 games.
Murray did even better the next time he touched the ball, sprinting past the Chiefs defense for the longest run by a Raiders running back since Bo Jackson had a 92-yarder against Cincinnati in 1989. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had a 93-yard TD run last season against Pittsburgh.
Murray had 112 yards on four carries but left the game to be evaluated for a possible concussion.
Derek Carr completed three key passes on Oakland’s first scoring drive, throwing a 19-yarder to Vincent Brown on the first play and then converting a pair of third downs with 11-yard passes to James Jones and Brice Butler.
The Raiders got off to a fast start against the first-place Chiefs (7-3), who entered the game on a five-game winning streak. Oakland forced three-and-outs on the first two possessions as Alex Smith was off target on his first three throws and Jamaal Charles ran for 1 yard on three carries.
Those two picked Oakland apart last season at the Coliseum, with Charles catching four of Smith’s five TD passes and running for a fifth score of his own.
Even Kansas City’s scoring drive was unimpressive, with the Chiefs failing to get into the end zone after Denarius Moore muffed a punt at the 11. Cairo Santos kicked a 24-yard field goal.
The Raiders celebrated a bit of their history Thursday night, with punter Ray Guy set to be honored at halftime with the presentation of his Hall of Fame ring.
Guy was the first full-time punter inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer in his 23rd year of eligibility. Guy was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and spent his 14-year career with the Raiders, winning three Super Bowls. Guy was a specialist in directional kicking, and his booming leg helped popularize the term ”hang time.”
There were several other Hall of Famers on hand for the ceremony, including John Madden, Art Shell, Rod Woodson, Mike Haynes, Dave Casper, Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Otto, Willie Brown, James Lofton, Ron Mix and Ted Hendricks.
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