The Lions opened up their 2013 pre season against the Brooklyn Bengals in an overtime thriller. The Bengals opened up the game with a 73 yard touchdown run on their first offensive play of the day, but that would be all the endzone they would see. The defense hunkered down and started playing lights out. Captain and LB, Ronnie Morrow led the defense by making plays all over the field. The defensive line put pressure on the Bengals quarterback all day and forced him to make bad desicions and throw up some passes. One of those chucks were retuned 84 yards by rookie Safety Nick Reisig for the Lions score which was capped by a tough 2 yard run by rookie Tony Mauro for the tying 2 point play. Mike Ortolani who has been playing quarterback in the absence of Mike Ryan, played like a season vet. The offense was moving the ball up and down the field but was constantly plagued with penalties and turnovers. With the 2nd half coming to a close, CB Mike Austin intercepted the pass at the 50 yardline and almost took it in for the walk off touchdown but was ruled out of bounds on the 6 yard line. After the Lions and the Bengals both went 3 & out in OT, rookie Punt Returner Xavier Carpenter made one of the biggest plays of the day and got the Lions down to the 2 yard line. The next play QB Mike Ortolani took it in himself to seal the deal.
