The Pat Shurmur era as Coach of the Cleveland Browns began on a successful note as the Browns defeated the Green Bay Packers 27-17 in the pre-season opener for both teams at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Browns quarterback Colt McCoy showed off his knowledge of the West Coast Offense in leading the first team offense to two touchdowns. 

McCoy led the Browns down the field on their first possession. McCoy mixed in runs by Peyton Hillis and passes to Josh Cribbs, Greg Little and Brian Robiskie. On a first-and-10 from the 27, McCoy found Josh Cribbs streaking down the right sideline. Cribbs leaped over the Packer defender and came down with the ball for the touchdown. Phil Dawson’s extra point gave the Browns a 7-0 lead.

Green Bay answered that touchdown with one of their own.

Packer quarterback Aaron Rogers worked only two series in the first quarter. His first series was a three and out. The second series resulted in a Packer touchdown. In a seven-play, 71-yard drive, Rogers found Greg Jennings in the corner of end zone for 21-yard TD. Mason Crosby added the point to tie the game at seven

After an exchange of punts, McCoy had the Browns offense humming again. Two completions by McCoy to tight end Benjamin Watson covering 19 and 37 yards set the Browns up on the three-yard line. Peyton Hillis got the ball and went off right tackle and into the end zone. Dawson’s extra point made it 14-7 Browns.

Shurmur thought McCoy was on his game in the first half. “I thought he was pretty sharp. He executed well. He worked us down the field twice. That’s the mark of a quarterback.”

McCoy’s numbers on the night were impressive, 9 of 10 for 135 yards and one touchdown.

The Packers closed out the second quarter by scoring on their next two possessions on a field goal by Mason Crosby and a three-yard touchdown pass from Matt Flynn to Spencer Havner.

At halftime, the Packers held a 17-14 lead.

The Browns came out of the locker room for the third quarter ready to play. Back-up quarterback Seneca Wallace led the Browns on an 11-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 46-yard field goal by back-up kicker Jeff Wolfert to tie the game at 17.

On the next Packer possession, Packer third-string Graham Harrell was sacked by Browns linebacker Brian Smith. The hit caused the ball to come lose. Linebacker Titus Brown picked it up and rumbled 37 yards for a touchdown. Wolfert’s point after gave the Browns a 24-17 lead.

The fourth quarter had both coaches looking at their third-and-fourth string players. The only scoring was a field goal by the Browns from 44 yards out by Wolfert.

The next action for the Browns will be on Friday night August 19^th when Cleveland hosts the Detroit Lions.

SCOREBOARD”

GREEN BAY – 7 – 10 – 0 – 0 = 17

CLEVELAND – 7 – 7 – 10 – 3 = 27

First Quarter

CLEVE – Josh Cribbs 27 pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson Kick) 8:41

GREEN – Greg Jennings 21 pass from Aaron Rogers (Mason Crosby Kick) 4-38

Second Quarter

CLEVE – Peyton Hillis 3 run (Dawson Kick) 13:46

GREEN – Mason Crosby 31 Field Goal 6:18

GREEN – Spencer Havner 3 pass from Matt Flynn (Crosby kick) 0:27

Third Quarter

CLEVE – Jeff Wolfert 46 Field Goal 10:09

CLEVE - Titus Brown 37 fumble recovery 7:00

Fourth Quarter

CLEVE – Wolfert 44 Field Goal 1:52

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