Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick (80) slaps hands with his teammates as he is introduced at Ralph Wilson Stadium. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Bengals won their preseason opener for the first time since 1996 on Friday night, 24-17 over the Buffalo Bills, and each of the team's top three quarterbacks led a touchdown drive of more than 60 yards.

        Quarterbacks Jon Kitna and Gus Frerotte each directed touchdown drives of more than 70 yards in the first half, and Akili Smith led a touchdown drive of 62 yards in the third quarter and a 63-yard drive that ended in a 34-yard Neil Rackers field goal in the fourth quarter. The Bengals scored 17 unanswered points after falling behind 17-7.

        At halftime, the Bengals trailed 17-14. Smith, the former first-round draft pick trying to climb into the competition with Kitna and Frerotte, connected on a 6-yard touchdown pass with tight end Sean Brewer.

        The Bengals fell behind 7-0 but came back with a 13-play, 71-yard touchdown drive behind Kitna and the first-team offense.

        Curtis Keaton, one play after protecting Kitna's blind side on a blitz, ran 8 yards on a draw play for his first professional touchdown. He had 52 yards rushing.

        Kitna was 7-for-9 passing on the drive, including 4-of-4 on third down.

        T.J. Houshmandzadeh had three receptions for 19 yards, and Peter Warrick had three for 18.

        Brewer, who missed all of his rookie year with a groin injury, had his first pro catch for 14 yards on the drive.

        “It's always great to come out in the first game of the year and go right down the field and punch it in,” Kitna said. “Our guys made a lot of big plays.”

Jon Kitna is chased out of the pocket by Buffalo Bills defensive linemen Aaron Schobel (94) and Pat Williams (93). (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Late in the second quarter, Frerotte capped a 75-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Warrick. Brewer had a 22-yard reception on the drive.

        For the half, Frerotte was 6-for-10 passing for one touchdown and one interception.

        “All three of the quarterbacks played very well, and that, I think, was the highlight of the game,” said Bengals coach Dick LeBeau, who also named Frerotte the starter for next Saturday's preseason Game 2 at Indianapolis.

        The Bengals outgained the Bills 371-228 yards and achieved the balance they like. They had 190 yards passing and 181 yards rushing, including an even 100 by second-year back Rudi Johnson. Johnson averaged 7.1 yards on 14 carries.

        “I'm just trying to show I'm a good player,” Johnson said.

        Drew Bledsoe, in his first action with the Bills, led a 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game.

        Bledsoe, who said he did not want to be traded to the Bengals in the offseason, was 5-for-5 passing for 78 yards. He was sacked on the first play for a 5-yard loss by Justin Smith. Buffalo scored when Eric Moulds beat Kevin Kaesviharn in the left flat for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Rookie safety Lamont Thompson was late getting over to help on the play.

Bills wide receiver Josh Reed (82) tackles Bengals cornerback Jeff Burris (21) after he intercepted a Bledsoe pass. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        After the Bengals tied the game, a poor kickoff by Bengals fourth-round draft pick Travis Dorsch gave the Bills possession on the Buffalo 42. Bledsoe got right to work with a 20-yard completion to Moulds. After two running plays were stopped, Bledsoe went over the middle but was intercepted by former Bills cornerback Jeff Burris.

        The Bengals couldn't move the ball from the 9-yard line. A holding penalty on Brewer brought back a big gain on a screen pass to Brandon Bennett. Bledsoe led another touchdown drive on his third possession. He lofted an out into the corner of the end zone to Peerless Price. Pricebeat three Bengals defensive backs — Kaesviharn, Burris and Cory Hall.

        In three drives, Bledsoe was 9-for-11 passing for 136 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

        Kitna, in two drives, was 7-for-10 passing for 51 yards and no interceptions.

        Akili Smith played the entire second half and was 10-for-17 passing for 72 yards.

        Frerotte's first drive ended in a punt, but he was hurt by a motion penalty on wide receiver Chad Johnson and a false start by rookie left tackle Levi Jones in his first NFL action.

        Frerotte was intercepted on his second drive. Johnson didn't make a correct read on a blitz, and Bills cornerback Chris Watson stepped in front of Johnson for the pick. The Bills jumped out to a 17-7 lead when Mike Hollis made a 36-yard field goal.

        Warrick was the Bengals' leading receiver in the first half, grabbing six balls for 47 yards and the touchdown.

Bengals 24, Bills 17 Bengals-Bills Stats Bledsoe impresses in Bills debut Defense has set lofty goals Cowboys 20, Raiders 6 Falcons 23, Jaguars 13 Ravens 12, Lions 6

Reds 12, Padres 10
Reds box, runs
Rehab stint in minors works wonders for Casey
Braves 6, Astros 5, 13 innings
Mets 2, Cardinals 1
Louisville 8, Columbus 2
Barry Bonds hits 600th homer
Chicago releases veteran DeShields
Strike deadline likely when players meet Monday
Big-bang theory of tour's style doesn't hold up
Czech mates advance to doubles semifinals
Hewitt ousts Agassi in baseline battle
Players, tour officials at odds over the state of doubles game
Semi makes foes of friends
ATP tennis results and schedule
Williams, Capriati upset
DAUGHERTY: I am rocket man
Veteran Hearn parlayed Indy 500 success into IRL ride
Rudd's out with Yates but on Watkins Glen pole
Buffaloes give Barnett better coaching deal
Carolina, Michigan State, IU help UK ring in 100th season
Gilmour re-signs with Canadiens
Woods in driver's seat at Buick

• Return to Bengals front page...