Schonert’s Touchdown Pass Helps Falcons Turn Back Giants, 31-24

Quarterback Turk Schonert’s first completion in an Atlanta uniform--a 17-yard touchdown strike to rookie Ron Middleton--paced the Falcons to a 31-24 exhibition victory over the New York Giants Wednesday night.

Schonert, acquired in a trade with Cincinnati during the off-season, made his Falcon debut in the third period and missed on his first four passes.

He completed the touchdown play to a diving Middleton in the end zone with 7:29 to go in the period, giving Atlanta a 21-14 lead.

Rookie Mike Prindle connected on a 42-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining in the third period to build the lead to 24-14. Schonert had a key 15-yard completion in that scoring drive that was set up by the second of two fumbled punts by New York’s Marcus Collins.

The first fumble set up Schonert’s touchdown pass.

The Giants, who suffered five turnovers, came within 24-21 on the passing of quarterback Jeff Rutledge, who hit Mark Bavaro with an eight-yard touchdown pass 3:13 into the last quarter.

But Atlanta’s David Croudip intercepted a Rutledge pass less than three minutes later and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown.