The Baltimore Ravens will make their 2008 debut at M&T Bank Stadium this Saturday, Aug. 16, when they host the Minnesota Vikings in the second preseason game for each team. Kickoff for the sold-out contest is 7:30 p.m. This will mark the first game at home for new Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Baltimore opened the preseason with a 16-15 victory at the New England Patriots last Thursday. Reliable Matt Stover, who enters the 2008 regular season as the fourth leading scorer of all time (1,822 points), hit two field goals in the victory. Quarterback Kyle Boller started, completing 11 of 15 passes for 102 yards with one interception. The Vikings dropped a 34-17 contest at the Metrodome to the visiting Seahawks. Minnesota's starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completed 8 of 11 for 118 yards and a score in the loss.
Harbaugh announced that second-year quarterback Troy Smith will start for the Ravens against the Vikings. Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner while playing at Ohio State, was a fifth-round selection for the Ravens in 2007. Smith, Boller and rookie Joe Flacco, the team's first-round pick in 2008, are competing to be the Ravens' starter for the regular season. "We have a rather unique situation. We're throwing the balls out there and seeing which one wins the job. It's wide open," Harbaugh said.
Following Saturday's game against the Vikings, the Ravens will play at St. Louis on Aug. 23 before ending the preseason Aug. 28 against the Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore opens the regular season at home against AFC North rival Cincinnati Sept. 7. The Vikings play at Green Bay in the Monday night opener on Sept. 8.
Visit the**Gameday page**for all your game information and complete coverage of the Ravens's preseason matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
