Rams Ride 38-Point Half To 52-0 Rout Over Raiders
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Everything was ridiculously easy for the St. Louis Rams, a team that's had more than its share of struggles.
They just kept getting into the end zone Sunday against the hapless Raiders.
Tre Mason scored two long touchdowns and Shaun Hill accounted for three TDs in an out-of-nowhere 38-point first half that tied for second-most in franchise history in the Rams' 52-0 rout.
The Rams had zero hangover from a stinging three-point loss at San Diego last week. Hill was intercepted by Marcus Gilchrist at the goal line in the final minute of that defeat.
Mason had 113 yards rushing on six carries in the half with an 89-yard score, plus a 35-yard jaunt on a screen pass that opened the scoring. Hill was 12 for 15 for 178 yards and two TDs and ran for a 2-yard score.
The Rams (5-7) scored touchdowns on their first five possessions, then got a field goal on the sixth midway through the second quarter to top their previous-best scoring total for a game this season. The 38-point halftime lead was the largest in franchise history, one more than against Green Bay in 1980.
The Raiders (1-11) had three extra days of rest after knocking off the Chiefs but were never competitive and committed five turnovers. Derek Carr threw two interceptions in the opening half, resulting in the Rams' final 10 points before the break.
The St. Louis defense was dominant, forcing five turnovers and getting six sacks, three by Robert Quinn. The shutout was the Rams' first since 2006 , 20-0 at Oakland.
The Rams outgained the Raiders 203 yards to 34 in the first quarter. Oakland opened the game with three straight three-and-outs.
Trumaine Johnson had two interceptions for St. Louis, returning the second, against Matt Schaub, for a 44-yard score that made it 52-0 in the fourth period.
In an apparent show of solidarity for Ferguson, Missouri protesters five St. Louis players stood with their arms raised before trotting onto the field for pregame introductions. A Rams spokesman said the team was not aware the gesture had been planned.
After Tre Mason scored on an 8-yard run in the fourth quarter, he and Britt raised their hands together.
Additional security measures at the game included members of the National Guard toting firearms.
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