Trey Lance Shines as Chargers Dominate Lions 34-7 in Hall of Fame Game

Los Angeles quarterback makes statement performance in preseason opener at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

CANTON, Ohio – Trey Lance made the most of his opportunity on Thursday night, throwing for 120 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Los Angeles Chargers to a commanding 34-7 victory over the Detroit Lions in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Stadium.

The 25-year-old quarterback, competing for the backup role behind Justin Herbert, completed 13 of 20 passes over three quarters of work, displaying the poise and accuracy that made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

“Big night for Trey. Just played calm, cool, collected, ran the operation, threw the ball really well,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game. “Usually, you can predict. If somebody is playing good in practice, they play good in the games pretty much at all positions. Quarterback is no different, until you see them in the game in that 11-on-11. I thought he had the same kind of composure and poise and in control.”

Early Dominance Sets the Tone

The Chargers wasted no time establishing control, capitalizing on Detroit’s mistakes from the opening kickoff. After recovering a fumble on the game’s first play at the Lions’ 28-yard line, Lance methodically drove his team into the end zone.

Facing fourth-and-2 at the Detroit 5, Lance delivered a perfect touch pass to tight end Will Dissly for the game’s first touchdown – a 5-yard scoring strike that showcased his precision in pressure situations.

“I feel good. Some good. Some bad. Left some plays out there,” Lance said postgame, displaying the self-awareness that has impressed coaches throughout his career.

Rookie Defenders Make Their Mark

The Chargers’ defensive performance was highlighted by several standout rookie performances. Undrafted cornerback Nikko Reed made an immediate impact, intercepting Lions quarterback Kyle Allen and returning it 60 yards to set up another touchdown.

Reed finished with one interception for 60 yards and two pass deflections, while fellow defensive back Myles Purchase added another pick-six opportunity with a 48-yard interception return. Tony Jefferson also contributed with an interception, as the Chargers’ secondary took advantage of Detroit’s quarterback struggles.

Position Battle Breakdown: Quarterbacks

Chargers Quarterbacks:

• Trey Lance: 13/20, 120 yards, 2 TD’s, 0 INT’s, 114.6 rating
• DJ Uiagalelei: 2/3, 25 yards, 0 TD’s, 0 INT’s, 92.4 rating

Lions Quarterbacks:

• Kyle Allen: 9/14, 91 yards, 0 TD’s, 2 INT’s, 43.2 rating
• Hendon Hooker: 3/6, 18 yards, 0 TD’s, 1 INT, 16.7 rating

The contrast couldn’t have been starker. While Lance operated with confidence and precision, Detroit’s quarterbacks struggled with decision-making and ball security. Allen, competing with Hooker for the backup role behind Jared Goff, threw two costly interceptions that directly led to Chargers scores.

Running Game Comparison

Chargers Ground Attack:

• Kimani Vidal: 9 carries, 37 yards, 2 TD’s (4.1 avg)
• Hassan Haskins: 6 carries, 34 yards (5.7 avg)
• Nyheim Hines: 8 carries, 34 yards (4.3 avg)

Lions Rushing:

• Craig Reynolds: 10 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD (3.8 avg)
• Jabari Small: 11 carries, 35 yards (3.2 avg)

Rookie running back Kimani Vidal emerged as a key storyline for Los Angeles, punching in two short-yardage touchdowns while averaging over 4 yards per carry. His 2-yard scoring runs in the first and fourth quarters demonstrated the power running game the Chargers hope to establish this season.

Receiver vs. Coverage Battles

Chargers Receiving Leaders:

• KeAndre Lambert-Smith: 2 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD
• Tucker Fisk: 1 catch, 19 yards
• Jaret Patterson: 2 catches, 18 yards

Lions Receiving Leaders:

• Isaac TeSlaa: 2 catches, 46 yards
• Dominic Lovett: 5 catches, 31 yards

Lambert-Smith’s performance stood out in the receiver battles, hauling in a crucial 15-yard touchdown pass from Lance in the second quarter. The connection came against Lions coverage that included cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., showcasing Lance’s ability to find receivers in tight windows.

Defensive Standouts

Chargers Defense:

• Emany Johnson: 7 tackles (3 solo, 4 assists)
• Junior Colson: 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assist)
• Kendall Williamson: 3 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Lions Defense:

• Ezekiel Turner: 7 tackles (2 solo, 5 assists)
• Anthony Pittman: 5 tackles (3 solo, 2 assists), 2 TFL
• Grant Stuard: 4 tackles (3 solo, 1 assist), 1 sack, 2 TFL

Despite the lopsided score, Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman showed flashes with two tackles for loss, while Grant Stuard recorded the game’s only sack. However, Detroit’s defense couldn’t overcome the constant short fields created by their offense’s turnovers.

Special Teams and Turnovers Tell the Story

The game’s defining factor was Detroit’s inability to protect the football. The Lions committed five turnovers – three interceptions and two fumbles – while the Chargers played mistake-free football on offense.

“We turned it over five times and had zero takeaways. That’s hard. Can’t put the defense in that kind of a position. It’s hard to get a rhythm when you turn the ball over,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said.

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker bounced back from an early miss, connecting on field goals of 23 and 27 yards after hitting the left upright on a 52-yard attempt in the first quarter.

Looking Ahead

For Lance, this performance represents a significant step in his journey back to relevance. After spending time with San Francisco and Dallas, he’s found a home in Los Angeles where his skill set fits Harbaugh’s offensive philosophy.

“I’m excited to play,” Lance said. “Every place is different. Every coaching staff is different. Every team is different. It’s been fun to be here. I’ve really enjoyed being here, just the joy the guys around the building have. It’s a joyful place to be.”

The Chargers will look to build on this momentum when they host the New Orleans Saints on August 10, while the Lions will attempt to rebound when they visit the Atlanta Falcons on August 8.

Final Stats:

• Total Yards: Chargers 261, Lions 197
• Time of Possession: Chargers 32:13, Lions 27:47
• Turnovers: Chargers 0, Lions 5
• Third Down Efficiency: Chargers 30%, Lions 9%

The 2025 NFL preseason is officially underway, and based on Thursday night’s performance, the Chargers appear ready to build on last season’s playoff appearance under Jim Harbaugh’s leadership.