Chargers quarterback Easton Stick sparks exhibition victory over Rams

INGLEWOOD — Easton Stick’s first pass went for a 2-yard loss on a screen to rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston. His second throw fell incomplete in the flat, intended for running back Joshua Kelley. His third also hit nothing but turf as he and the Chargers went three and out.

Uh-oh.

One of those nights?

Matters improved greatly for Stick in the Chargers’ 34-17 exhibition victory over the Rams on Saturday night at SoFi Stadium. Stick didn’t exactly make anyone forget the name of Justin Herbert, the man who will lead the Chargers’ offense when the regular season begins Sept. 10.

But he warmed to the task in his first chance to cement his role as Herbert’s backup. He directed the Chargers to two field goals plus a touchdown in an efficient if unspectacular two-minute drill at the end of the first half. He hit Johnston with an 8-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left.

The Chargers built a 20-7 lead by halftime and Stick completed 14 of 21 passes for 109 yards. Stick and the Chargers got a big boost from their ground game, with Kelley gaining 54 yards on nine carries and Isaiah Spiller rushing for 27 yards on five carries. Starting back Austin Ekeler didn’t play.

Mostly, Saturday’s game was a battle of the backups.

For Stick, it was a chance to prove his value as Herbert’s backup. Last season, Stick was third on the Chargers’ depth chart behind Herbert, the NFL’s second-leading passer behind Patrick Mahomes of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and veteran journeyman Chase Daniel.

“We want Easton to have a shot to go compete,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said before the game. “He’s been at this for four years now. He’s clearly our number two. We’re really looking at this like a feature game and a feature part of his season, these next three games. We are going to try and get out there, push the ball, have some balance, but really give him an opportunity to compete.”

Stick didn’t have the Chargers’ top receivers as targets against the Rams, but he connected with Johnston three times in the first half, including a flawless throw and catch for an 8-yard score that capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took 1:31 and gave them a 20-7 lead at halftime.

“He showed a lot of poise, great command,” Staley said of Stick at halftime. “We were able to use the timeouts wisely. He was able to use his legs for a couple of big first downs. Then, he was able to find ‘Q’ there at the end. It was really well-managed. Kellen, I thought, called a great two-minute, and then Easton made it happen for us.”

Staley referred to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

Derius Davis’ 81-yard punt return for a touchdown and Cameron Dicker’s field goals of 50 and 25 yards were among the other first-half highlights for the Chargers in the first of their three exhibitions before facing the Miami Dolphins to start the season. Davis was barely touched on his TD return.

Max Duggan replaced Stick to start the second half. Duggan’s last appearance at SoFi Stadium wasn’t so hot, with he and TCU suffering a 65-7 beatdown at the hands of Georgia in the national championship game. He passed for 152 yards and zero touchdowns with two interceptions.

Spiller promptly ripped off a 71-yard touchdown run on Duggan’s first NFL exhibition series, beating the defense to the outside and racing down the left sideline untouched. However, Chargers lineman Jordan McFadden was penalized for holding on the play, nullifying Spiller’s TD run.

Duggan completed two of three passes for 19 yards. Elijah Dotson had TD runs of 37 and 40 yards.