Dizon makes debut with Detroit

Lions beat Super Bowl champs Giants

by Lanaly Cabalo – The Garden Island

Lions 13, Giants 10

Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna just threw a short right pass to Roy Williams for a 20-yard touchdown in the opening series between the Lions and reigning Super Bowl champions the New York Giants. Kicker Jason Hanson’s extra point attempt was good to put the Lions on the scoreboard first.

With the Giants on the receiving end, Hanson’s kickoff went 67 yards from the Lions’ 30-yard line to the Giants’ 3-yard line. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw returned it for 24 yards and who was there to make the stop but Waimea’s own Jordon Dizon.

The 22-year-old linebacker made his National Football League debut in the first quarter of the game, teaming up with Kalvin Pearson to register his first professional tackle. Dizon started on special teams instead at the expected middle linebacker position.

He was on the line though by the third quarter, where he made his second stop. On fourth-and-1 on Detroit’s 45 yard line, Dizon tackled Reuben Droughns for a 2-yard loss.

Fellow Hawai‘i-native Ikaika Alama-Francis registered one tackle in the preseason exhibition game at Detroit’s home field. His also came against Bradshaw’s run.

In Kitna’s two drives, he went 6-for-7 for 106 yards and the touchdown to Williams. Detroit’s first-team offense struggled on the ground, though, as Tatum Bell carried seven times for eight yards.

The Giants had Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning only for a few snaps in the game. He completed two of his six passes for 19 yards. He was 0-for-3 on New York’s first possession, including two passes that were knocked down by Lions linemen.

The Lions defeated the Giants 13-10. Detroit’s next preseason game will be Aug. 17 in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

For more NFL preaseason capsules, see C4.