LOS ANGELES_The Coliseum was awash in excitement Saturday night as NFL football returned to Los Angeles.
It had been nearly 22 years, and fans filled the stadium to near capacity to see the Los Angeles Rams play the Dallas Cowboys in an exhibition and to see No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff.
It did not start well for the Rams_the Cowboys returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown_and Goff struggled in his first series after entering the game in the second quarter.
Rams Coach Jeff Fisher had said this week that the rookie would probably play about a half.
But Goff played only two second-quarter series, while Sean Mannion passed for three second-half touchdowns to lead the Rams to a 28-24 victory.
Goff, the former California standout, completed four of nine passes for 38 yards, with an interception. Two of his passes, including an impressive throw over the middle, were dropped.
Starter Case Keenum played only three series. He was six of seven for 58 yards.
Mannion, a second-year pro from Oregon State, completed 18 of 27 passes for 147 yards and three touchdowns, including one to running back Terrence Green to give the Rams the lead with just under two minutes left. Mannion had one pass intercepted.
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo did not play, giving rookie Dak Prescott a chance to show his skills. The former Mississippi State star completed 10 of 12 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Todd Gurley, the Rams' star running back, and defensive end Robert Quinn were held out of the game to avoid injury.
Gurley, the 2015 NFL offensive rookie of the year, did not participate in exhibition games last season while recovering from knee surgery. That strategy worked well: He finished third in the league in rushing yardage.
Gurley has been participating in training camp workouts but the Rams do not want to put one of their most valuable assets in jeopardy.
Quinn is a two-time Pro Bowl player. He suffered a back injury last season and had surgery. He has been participating in training camp workouts.
The Cowboy built a 24-7 halftime lead on Lucky Whitehead's kickoff return for a touchdown and two touchdown passes by Prescott.
Whitehead caught the opening kickoff a yard deep in the end zone and returned it 101 yards for a touchdown.
The Rams went three and out on their first possession, and Prescott connected with receiver Dez Bryant for a 10 -yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Keenum began to find a rhythm, completing four passes during a 75-yard drive that running back Benny Cunningham ended with a 14-yard touchdown run.
The Cowboys increased the lead early in the second quarter when Prescott found receiver Terrance Williams for a 32-yard touchdown pass and a 21-7 lead.
Goff entered the game with 9:45 left in the first half. He handed off to running back Malcolm Brown on the first play and the Cowboys broke up a short pass to Pharoh Cooper on the second.
On third and nine at the Dallas 32, linebacker Derek Akunne burst into the backfield and hit Goff as he attempted to pass. The ball traveled past the line of scrimmage and into the hands of linebacker Mark Nzeocha, who returned it 19 yards.
The Cowboys converted the turnover into points when Dan Bailey kicked a field goal for a 24-7 halftime lead.
Goff looked better on his final series, connecting three times with rookie tight end Tyler Higbee. And his throw over the middle to Cooper would have put the Rams inside the 10-yard line. But Cooper dropped the ball, and Goff was sacked on the next play, ending his night.
