What a difference a quarter can make.
After jumping ahead of the Jags 14-0 on the second play of the second quarter, the Buccaneers imploded in all phases, resulting in a 28-14 Jacksonville lead at the half here at EverBank Field.
Preston Parker was blown up on a punt return, and Colin Cloherty returned the fumble 8 yards for the Jags’ first touchdown. Parker has lost fumbles on two punt returns so far. On the Jags next drive, QB Blaine Gabbert found Marcedes Lewis deep down the seam for 62 yards, resulting in a Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown run that evened the score. DE Jeremy Mincey sacked Josh Freeman near the end zone on the Bucs’ ensuing drive, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Nate Collins in the end zone for a touchdown. Following an interception by Ashton Youboty (who the Bucs cut in the preseason), the Jaguars punctuated a 9-play, 49-yard drive with a five-yard Jones-Drew touchdown reception with four seconds left in the half for a 28-14 lead.
Gabbert finished the first quarter 1-of-4 passing for 2 yards and an interception. He finished the half 11-of-18 for 133 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
It wasn’t all bad. For the first time this season, the Buccaneer offense punched the ball into the end zone in the first quarter on LeGarrette Blount 1-yard touchdown run, culminating a 5-play, 80-yard drive. Freeman also rushed for a 13-yard touchdown.
