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By ERNEST HOOPER
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 20, 2000
Alshermond Singleton made his first career start in place of injured linebacker Shelton Quarles. Quarles was out with a groin injury.
The Bucs scored for the first time this season on their opening drive with a 27-yard field goal from Martin Gramatica.
Warrick Dunn's 34-yard run in the first quarter was his longest since a 50-yard run against Minnesota on Nov. 1, 1998.
With two first-half sacks of Detroit quarterback Charlie Batch, defensive end Marcus Jones surpassed his career high of seven. After two more in the second half, Jones, an unrestricted free agent after this season, has 10.
The Bucs have two blocked punts this season, both against Detroit. Nate Webster blocked a second-quarter James Jett punt; Singleton blocked one in Detroit.
Dating to the 15th game of last season, the Bucs had gone eight games without allowing a rushing touchdown, counting the playoffs. But since their fourth game of this season, they have allowed at least one rushing touchdown to Washington, Minnesota and Detroit.
The Bucs had six first downs through three quarters but only one after 6:23 of the first quarter.
Tampa Bay has yet to yield a touchdown in the third quarter this season.
The Bucs have blocked field goals in three consecutive games, two by Warren Sapp and one by Jones.
In terms of plays and time of possession, Detroit's 70-yard touchdown drive was the longest allowed by the Bucs this season. The drive consisted of 12 plays and consumed 4 minutes, 46 seconds.
This was the second time the Bucs have played on a Thursday night. The first time was in 1980. The Bucs beat the Los Angeles Rams 10-9 in a rematch of the 1979 NFC Championship Game.
Going into the game, the Bucs were 2-6 all time in games televised by ESPN.
Under coach Tony Dungy, the Bucs were 3-1 coming off bye weeks before Thursday night.