CARSON, CA — Approximately 8,000 season ticket holders were in attendance on Saturday to witness the Los Angeles Chargers take the field at Stub Hub Center for the first time. A scrimmage between the Chargers and the Los Angeles Rams entertained the fan base tremendously.
Not only were the fans impressed but many of the players were too. Philip Rivers launched a 50 yard strike to tight end Jeff Cumberland. Cumberland had an outstanding day along with Hunter Henry showed the future is bright at the position with spectacular catches and a touchdown from Rivers.
Melvin Gordon who fed off the newness of the environment, and spun around the Rams defense like a Tasmanian devil going through trees. Gordon should have a 1,000 yard plus season this year.
Both Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram provided sacks on Jared Goff, where the Bolts defense started out slow but as time progressed got more aggressive and focused.
“We started out a little slow, but I liked the way we finished,” head coach Anthony Lynn said. “I thought the guys competed hard. It’s good to go against new bodies out there. You get tired of competing against one another. So I thought it was good.”
Players got a good taste on what it would be like to line up between the white lines, it was a great experience for them to know what to expect for the next three seasons at Stub Hub Center.
“I think it’ll be cool (especially) when you get a packed house in here,” Joey Bosa said.“It’s a nice, newer stadium. We were focused on practice, and we kind of tuned out the crowd noise, but I’m sure it will get nice and loud on game days.”
Rivers was excited from the moment he came out of the tunnel and signed autographs for fans, his engine was ready to go.
“What I think this place can turn into can be a real awesome atmosphere for this season,” Rivers said postgame.“I think it’s going to be awesome. There’s no bad seat in the house. Everybody’s going to have a great seat and be up real close to the action. Now its our job to put a competitive team on the field that wins.”
After the scrimmage, both RB Melvin Gordon and DE Melvin Ingram stood with some fans in the crowd to show support and love.
Joe Barksdale stared at the surrounding and new hi-tech video screen at the north endzone.
“This whole place looks really nice,” Barksdale said.“It’s going to be a great place to play. We win some games and fill this stadium up, it’s going to be quite some home.”
It’s truly going to be a great atmosphere for football, and the great thing about Stub Hub Center is that there is not one bad seat in the entire place. The Chargers can truly run the city of Los Angeles and win the “battle”, with a premiere unique stadium experience and victories.
Notes: RB Branden Oliver charged his way up the middle for a touchdown whisking past Rams defense.
