Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Josh Freeman threw for 102 yards and rookie running back Doug Martin ran for a touchdown in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 30-28 preseason win over the New England Patriots at Raymond James Stadium.
Freeman completed 10-of-19 passes and Martin gained 53 yards on 13 carries for Tampa Bay. Backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky added a TD pass in the fourth quarter.
New England quarterback Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass and had one of his throws intercepted and returned for a score. Brady finished with 127 yards on 13-of-20 passing, while backup Ryan Mallett capped off two fourth-quarter drives with TD passes.
The Buccaneers drove 68 yards in eight plays on the game's opening series to take a 7-0 lead. Martin, one of two first-round picks by Tampa Bay in this past draft, capped the march with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Later in the first quarter, safety Mark Barron, the Bucs' other first-round selection, picked off a tipped Brady pass and returned it 22 yards to the end zone.
The Patriots struck on their next possession, which stretched into the second quarter, and Stevan Ridley finished the 12-play, 81-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run.
Connor Barth and Kai Forbath both drilled a 50-plus-yard field goal, giving Tampa Bay a 20-7 halftime lead.
Following the break, Forbath connected on a 55-yard field goal before New England tight end Rob Gronkowski caught a 16-yard TD pass late in the third quarter.
Game Notes
