Raider Nation Welcomes Rice Twice

Jerry Rice loved his first leap into the Black Hole.

At the center of a prolific afternoon for the Raider offense, Rice got his first two touchdowns in silver and black as Oakland scored the first 38 points in a 38-14 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

In front of a roaring, patriotic Raider crowd celebrating the home opener, Oakland’s star-studded offense finally gave a performance befitting its pedigree. Rich Gannon, Tim Brown, Tyrone Wheatley and Charlie Garner all played important roles as Oakland turned the game into a blowout.

But the game-breaking plays belonged to Rice, whose vintage game came one week after Miami limited him to one catch in a lackluster Raider loss. The touchdowns increased his NFL record to 189.

“To get that first as a Raider really meant a lot,” Rice said. “It’s a lot of weight off my shoulders. It’s like, now I can move on.”

When Rice ran by the wild fans in the Coliseum end zone section known as the Black Hole before the game, a woman urged him to come over and collect some cookies she had baked for him. Rice promised to come back later--and he did, twice in the first half.

Rice got his first score in typical fashion. Gannon hit him 15 yards upfield on a simple post route, and Rice streaked 33 yards past Seattle’s safeties for Oakland’s first touchdown.

He scored again on a 14-yard slant shortly before halftime. Rice, who caught a pass in his 228th straight game, jumped into the stands after his touchdowns.

“I didn’t have to think,” Rice said. “I just relaxed, and when you’re in a situation like that, you’re going to play better.”

Gannon rushed for a score and completed 19 of 28 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Rice had five receptions for 91 yards.

“You can’t expect miracles the first week, but I think he’s getting more and more comfortable,” Gannon said.

“I’m just excited because when he goes into the Hall of Fame, somewhere in the small print of the guys who threw him touchdowns, my name will be there.”