Bolts hold on, improve to 4-5

Adjust font size

Sunday, Nov 09, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

The Chargers found themselves in the exact same position Sunday that they faced in Weeks 1 and 2, but this time they made sure that the result was different.

After the Bolts took a fourth-quarter lead over the Chiefs Sunday, Kansas City scored a touchdown with 23 seconds left. Rather than opting for overtime, the Chiefs tried a two-point conversion that would have given them the lead.

The plan was spoiled when safety Clinton Hart batted down Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen’s high heave, and the Chargers escaped with a 20-19 victory.

“We’ve been in a couple games like that and had calls and plays go against us and not finish,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “It’s nice to win the game.”

The Chargers, who improved to 4-5 on the season, didn’t lead in the game until Philip Rivers’ eight-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates gave them a 20-13 advantage with 6:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rivers passed for 316 yards and a pair of scores but also threw two interceptions that allowed the scrappy Chiefs to hang around.

Thigpen’s hot hand allowed Kansas City to jump on top early as he completed 13 of his first 15 throws, including a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Bradley that gave the Chiefs a 7-0 advantage in the first quarter.

Twice in the second quarter the Bolts drove deep inside Chiefs territory but had to settle for Nate Kaeding field goals rather than interceptions. Kaeding’s kicks of 34 and 26 yards respectively got the Chargers within one at 7-6.

Late in the second half, Thigpen’s second touchdown pass of the day, a 34-yard catch and run by tight end Tony Gonzalez allowed Kansas City to take a 13-6 lead just before halftime. A mishandled hold on the ensuing PAT try caused the play to fail, which ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.

“Those little things turn out to be a big deal sometimes,” linebacker Stephen Cooper said. “We’ll take it.”

Midway through the third quarter, the Chargers tied the game when Rivers capped an eight-play, 58-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Malcom Floyd. It was part of a big day for Floyd, who caught four passes for 76 yards on the day.

Kansas City gained just 27 yards and one first down in the third quarter, and that kept the game gridlocked until Rivers led the Bolts on their longest drive of the season from a time of possession standpoint. Rivers’ fourth-quarter touchdown toss to Gates capped a 14-play, 94-yard drive that covered 8;28.

Gates continued the success he’s enjoyed against the Chiefs with eight catches for 66 yards and his ninth-career touchdown catch against Kansas City

Kansas City’s final drive began at their own 40 yard line with 3:00 remaining. They converted three third downs on the drive, including Gonzalez’s three-yard touchdown grab that made it a one point game with 23 seconds left.

On the two-point play, Thigpen rolled to his right and was pressured before tossing one up for grabs in the back corner of the end zone. Hart jumped in front of Gonzalez and emphatically threw the ball to the turf, and the Chargers were finally able to celebrate.

“I didn’t want the game to be this close and I was not looking for it to be this close, but we had to be prepared to play this type of game,” Turner said. “I was proud of our guys. I like the way they responded. When we had negative things go against us, our guys kept playing and we made enough plays to win the football game.”

Lenny Ignelzi, AP

Tight end Antonio Gates slips through the tackle of Kansas City Chiefs' Donnie Edwards on the 15-yard gain in the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, in San Diego. Gates had 8 receptions, one for a touchdown.

	Gameday: Chargers 20, Chiefs 19 Clinton Hart batted down Tyler Thigpen's two-point try, following his 3-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez. Brandon Manumaleuna recovered the onside kick to preserve the win for the Chargers. Play
	Can't-Miss Play: Floyd reception Malcom Floyd receptions Play
	Gameday: Defensive Player of the Game Clinton Hart is the Chargers.com defensive player of the game. Play
	Gameday: Offensive Player of the Game Play
	Gameday: Norv Turner Post game press conference with Head Coach Norv Turner. Play
	Gameday: LaDainian Tomlinson Running back LaDainian Tomlinson post game press conference after Sundays 20-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Play
	Gameday: Philip Rivers Quarterback Philip Rivers post game press conference after Sunday 20-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Play
	Gameday: Ron Rivera New Chargers Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera answers questions after Sundays 20-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Play
	Gameday: Matt Whilhelm Linebacker Matt Whilhelm post game locker room. Play
	Gameday: Antoine Cason Cornerback Antoine Cason post game locker room. Play
	Gameday: Stephen Cooper Linebacker Stephen Cooper post game locker room. Play
	Gameday: Antonio Gates Tight End Antonio Gates post game locker room. Play
	Gameday: Clinton Hart Strong Safety Clinton Hart post game locker room Play
	Gameday: Shaun Phillips Linebacker Shaun Phillips post game locker room. Play

Have an opinion on this story? Share it on the team's official message boards.

Visit the forums

Find out what others are saying about the Chargers. Visit Daily Clips.

Already registered? Login here.