EDITOR NOTE: This story was sent to us by former Arizona Daily Star copy editor and writer Mack McClure, who is a freelance writer based in Kansas City who covers the National Football League and the Chiefs.
By Mack McClure
Special to AllSportsTucson.com
University of Arizona product and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles showed his new team just how good he can be, even if it was his first appearance for them.
After Alex Smith left Sunday afternoon’s National Football League game with the host Indianapolis Colts, not once but twice due to concussion protocol, Foles came on in relief and the Chiefs never skipped a beat.
Foles passed for 222 yards, completing 16 of 22 aerials, and had two scoring passes as Kansas City kicked the Colts, 30-14, for its third straight win to improve to 5-2 on the season. The 6-foot-6, 243-pound strong-armed Texan, who hails from Austin, had a quarterback rating of 135.2.
NICK FOLES PRESS CONFERENCE
Click on photo to access video. You can access highlights of the game by clicking here.
Foles’ 14-yard TD pass to Travis Kelce early in the second quarter made it 10-0. Smith made it 17-7 at halftime with a 13-yard TD pass to Jeremy Maclin, and after Smith’s second departure, where he didn’t return, Foles threw a 34-yard scoring pass to Tyreek Hill for a 24-7 lead.
While Smith is a game manager, Foles brings a deep ball to the Chiefs, something they sorely need. He had a 49-yard completion to Hill, a speedy rookie from West Alabama, the longest pass play for Kansas City this season.
Foles also completed seven passes for 101 yards to Kelce, the best output of the season for the tight end. He also had a 15-yard TD pass from Foles.
Nick Foles had an effective return to the NFL, leading the Chiefs to a win over the Colts (Kansas City Chiefs photo)
After starring at UA, Foles was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft, 88th overall, by the Philadelphia Eagles, which were coached by Chiefs coach Andy Reid at the time. Foles made his NFL debut in Week 10 of 2012 season for the Eagles after Michael Vick left with an injury. Foles made his first start the following week.
In Week 9 of the 2013 season, Foles, who would play in the Pro Bowl, became the second quarterback to post a perfect passer rating (158.3) while passing for more than 400 yards. He was also the first QB to post a perfect passer rating and throw seven touchdowns in a single game (achieved against the Oakland Raiders).
It was the 60th time in NFL history that a perfect passer rating was achieved overall.
Foles played for the Eagles from 2012-2014 before he was traded to the St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams for Sam Bradford last season.
Disgruntled with his minimized role with the Rams, Foles signed with the Chiefs in the offseason after the Rams relocated in Southern California.
The Chiefs host the Jacksonville Jaguars this coming Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., starting at 10 a.m. Tucson time.
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