The Raiders’ special teams got two punts blocked, an extra point blocked, and fair caught a punt at the 3-yard line, leading to their offense taking a safety. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce was not pleased.
Asked about his team’s special teams miscues after the game, Pierce acknowledged they were ugly.
“A bad day in the office. A real bad day in the office,” Pierce said. “We need all three phases to play well.”
Despite the disappointing play and the disappointing 15-9 loss, Pierce said he believes his players are continuing to play hard.
“Blue-collar group, just hasn’t gone our way,” Pierce said.
The Raiders were losing all game but managed to come back to the point where they had a throw into the end zone with a chance for a touchdown and extra point to win the game at the end. Pierce said his heart was racing when that ball was in the air.
“I just needed it to come down in Silver and Black. It didn’t,” Pierce said. “These guys find a way to keep going dog tired.”
The Raiders did play hard at the end, but it wasn’t good enough. And it hasn’t been good enough all year.
