Marvin Harrison Jr. Scores First NFL Touchdown in Cardinals Victory

In an impressive display, the Arizona Cardinals triumphed over the Los Angeles Rams with a commanding score of 41-10. Notably, rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. shone brightly in this contest, making a significant mark just before the end of the first quarter.

Harrison made headlines early, ending the first quarter with four catches, five targets, 130 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, marking the first two touchdowns of his career. Though he did not catch another ball for the remainder of the game, he was asked if that initial quarter represented the pinnacle of performance for a receiver. With a grin, the 22-year-old responded affirmatively, stating, “Yes.”

However, he was quick to acknowledge the necessity for continuous improvement, stating, “I need to get the rest of the game to go as well.”

During a dynamic stretch in the first quarter, Harrison made three pivotal plays across three different drives. This included his first touchdown—a 23-yard reception from quarterback Kyler Murray at the back of the end zone—followed by a majestic 60-yard touchdown pass and a 15-yard completion that set the stage for another series. Six plays later, he caught a crucial 39-yard pass on a third-and-5 play.

Of these connections, Murray emphasized the importance of the first touchdown catch, calling it a significant moment for Harrison. “This is big for him. His first touchdown, obviously. After last week, to come out here and get the jitters out, just playing hard and together, it was good,” Murray said.

The Cardinals’ initial offensive play was directed toward Harrison, but it went awry when Rams cornerback Tre’Davious White broke up the pass. In his debut game the previous week, Harrison managed just one catch for four yards from three targets.

Coach Jonathan Gannon revealed that the initial game plan did not specifically target Harrison. “The ball went where it should go,” he stated. Murray, however, aimed to involve his receivers early, hoping to energize them for the game. “You want to get your guys the ball early so they can feel like they’re in the game,” he said. “I feel like we did a great job of that today.”

Gannon reiterated Harrison’s resilience, saying the rookie did not let the previous week’s performance affect him significantly. “He’s a mature, serious person. He holds himself to a high standard,” Gannon noted. “He practiced hard this week and played well.”

Reflecting on his debut, Harrison considered his next performance to be “solid,” though he was critical of himself for being responsible for four of Murray’s incompletions. “I’m not very happy about that,” he confessed, affirming a commitment to enhance their chemistry throughout the season.

Within the box score, Harrison realized he had entered elite company. He became just the fourth rookie since 2000 to record 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter. Only Marquise Brown, Allen Hurns, and Torrey Smith have achieved similar feats. Impressively, Harrison’s 130 yards marked the most in a quarter by a Cardinals player in three decades.

In an additional historical note, Harrison Jr. reached his milestone faster than his father, Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., who accomplished it once in his storied career. Harrison Sr.’s best in his rookie season reached 106 yards, a figure surpassed by his son in just one quarter.

Harrison Jr. also marked a milestone by being the first Cardinals receiver to register three catches of 20 or more air yards in a single game since Michael Floyd did so in 2014. Murray, on the other hand, showcased an impressive deep-ball capability, completing five passes that traveled at least 20 yards in the air—an all-time high for him.

The Cardinals’ offensive display tied a record for the most points scored in a home opener during the Super Bowl Era, matching their record set in 1985.

Murray’s performance was nearly flawless as he completed 17 of 21 passes for 266 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for an additional 59 yards on five carries. “He was lights out,” Gannon remarked, highlighting Murray as a premium player. One of the standout achievements on the day was that Murray became only the second player in NFL history to record at least 250 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, and a perfect passer rating.

Moreover, this game marked a significant milestone for Murray, as it was the first time since 2021 that he achieved 250 passing yards and 50 rushing yards in a game. He also set a career-best with 148 passing yards in the first quarter.

Murray’s outstanding performance solidified him as only the seventh quarterback in NFL history to have a perfect passer rating in a team’s home opener.

On the ground, running back James Conner had a productive day as well, rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown, which extended his touchdown streak to seven games—a tying record in Cardinals history.

The Cardinals dominated possession throughout the game, controlling the clock for nearly 37 minutes compared to the Rams’ 23 minutes. This success was further bolstered by a strong defensive performance, particularly from linebacker Dennis Gardeck, who recorded three sacks.

Murray expressed pride in the entire team, highlighting the defense’s support. “It was a complete team win. Complimentary football at its finest,” he stated.