Former Coug Gardner Minshew Throws First Raiders Touchdown in Preseason Debut

Joe Londergan | Aug 11, 2024

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Former Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew played his first contest in a Las Vegas Raiders uniform on Saturday, as the Raiders took on the Minnesota Vikings in a preseason contest.

While the Vikings were ultimately victorious 24-23, the ex-Cougar completed six passes on 12 attempts for 117 yards and a touchdown. Minshew's touchdown pass came in the second quarter when he connected with former Georgia Bulldog Zamir White on a twenty-yard score.

Gardner Minshew finds DJ Turner for the @Raiders TD!

📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FH7UY8Fk0o
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024

Minshew joined the Raiders this offseason in free agency on a two-year deal after a stint as the starter for the Indianapolis Colts earned him a selection to his first Pro Bowl as an alternate.

In 2018 under Mike Leach, Minshew's only season in Pullman, he threw for 4,779 yards and 38 touchdowns. He led the Cougs to an 11-2 overall record (the best of any season in school history) and an Alamo Bowl win over Iowa State.

The Raiders are in the midst of deciding between Minshew and Aidan O'Connell as their starting quarterback in 2023.

Published Aug 11, 2024

JOE LONDERGAN

Joe Londergan joined the SI brand in 2023 with G5 Football Daily. With over 15 years of experience in covering and working directly in college and pro sports, Joe's expertise has been featured in Front Office Sports, SB Nation, and XRAY.FM. He is a member of both the Football Writers' Association of America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association. Joe holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Louisville and a master's degree in sports administration from Seattle University. Outside of his writing career, Joe enjoys golfing, although he admits that while he hits driver decently, his short game is a liability.