Barno, Blackshear shine in first NFL preseason game

Two former Virginia Tech players turned in solid performances Saturday

Football
8/13/2022 9:06:00 PM

It didn’t take long for the Hokies to make a statement in the NFL preseason, with the Carolina Panthers’ I will love Barno and the Buffalo Bills’ Raheem Blackshear turning in solid outings for their first game in the NFL on Saturday.

Barno, who is playing defensive end for Carolina, had a hand in two turnovers forced by the Panthers.

His first one came via a fumble recovery. He took on a pulling tackle and sealed the edge, before picking up the loose ball midway through the first quarter. His second was via a pressure on Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke, who ended up throwing an interception to Carolina’s Duke Dawson. Barno finished with three tackles, too.

 

Taylor Heinicke throws a pick to Duke Dawson.#Panthers rookie DE Amaré Barno with the pressure that led to the pick.

Barno ran 4.36 40 time at 6’6, 245 pounds at the combine. pic.twitter.com/ovkpqOgSAx

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 13, 2022

Blackshear on the other hand had two touchdowns on the ground versus the Indianapolis Colts. Having a nose for the end zone, he finished with 11 rushing yards on six attempts.

Punched it in! 👊

📺: @nflnetwork | WIVB pic.twitter.com/hqzLYjksB1

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 13, 2022

Both teams ended up winning their respective games, with the Panthers claiming it 23-21 over the Commanders and the Bills by a way of 27-24 against the Colts.