Shough got off to a good start as he hit wideout Kevin Austin Jr. for a nine-yard gain on his first pass attempt. He went 5 of 8 on the drive while leading the Saints to their first score of the game, a 31-yard field goal by Blake Grupe, before the end of the first half.

In May, Saints coach Kellen Moore made a prediction regarding the team's three-way quarterback competition. "One of these guys will rise," Moore said. During the preseason opener, none of the trio of candidates took a firm hold on the job.

Shough threw for 165 yards in extended playing time after Spencer Rattler started the game for the Saints. Shough and Rattler's next chance to battle for the starting job comes ne