Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass in his NFL preseason debut, a loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday in Las Vegas. File Photo by Peter Foley/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza said he failed to meet his "standard" in his NFL preseason debut, a loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards in the 27-14 setback Thursday in Las Vegas. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion also ran for six yards.
"Coach Andrew Janocko, coach Klint Kubiak and coach Mike Sullivan, they all have a very high standard and that's a standard that I want to one day get to and that I know our entire offensive unit and team wants to get to and I did not meet that standard," Mendoza told reporters.
Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, 37, started against the Cardinals, but played just one series. Mendoza, 22, was in for the next four. He logged incompletions on his first two attempts. Mendoza went on to connect with tight end Jack Bech for a 6-yard touchdown 3:13 before halftime.
