How to Use first down in a Sentence

first down

noun

• The pass was completed for a first down.
• They have first down on the 20-yard line.
• Griffin takes the snap and runs ahead to the 16-yard line for a first down.
  — oregonlive, 12 Nov. 2022
• Pacheco’s two runs picked up a first down and sealed the game.
  — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2024
• The Rams held the Big Blue to just two first downs in the first half, and that set the tone for the rest of the game.
  — Chris Vogt, The Enquirer, 19 Aug. 2023
• Jack Sullivan takes the snap and goes five yards for the first down.
  — Matthew Glenesk, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Jan. 2023
• The penalty gave the Chiefs a first down, all but sealed the game’s outcome and set up Olsen.
  — Josh Peter, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2023
• Jones tried one sneak on first down that went for two yards.
  — Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2022
• One of them is that the Gators converted just one first down in the first half.
  — Joseph Goodman | [e-mail], al, 23 Nov. 2022
• On third-and-9 from midfield, the Chiefs needed a first down to run out the clock.
  — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2024
• Hurts lined up for a sneak and was shoved forward just far enough for a first down.
  — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023
• Mayden keeps it, runs left, cuts upfield and has the first down.
  — Ndaschel, oregonlive, 16 Sep. 2023
• Acker used his speed to give the Badgers a first down at the Gophers 13.
  — Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2022
• The penalty gave Kansas City a first down on the Eagles' 11.
  — Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 12 Feb. 2023
• Stidham handed off on a third-down run that picked up the first down.
  — Mark Inabinett | [e-mail], al, 27 Nov. 2022
• That first down allowed the Chiefs to run the clock down and kick a field goal to go up 38-35 with just eight seconds left in the game.
  — Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2024
• On first down from their own 21-yard-line, Brock Purdy dropped back for a pass.
  — Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Jan. 2023
• Akers broke off a 42-yard run on the next series to give the Rams a first down at the Chargers’ 22-yard line.
  — Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2023
• For starters, the game clock will stay running on first downs that occur in the first- and third-quarters.
  — Nick Alvarez | [e-mail], al, 18 July 2023
• On that do-over third down, the Chiefs ended up getting the first down by virtue of a penalty.
  — Andrew Joseph, The Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2023
• Watkins also had a 13-yard reception for a first down in the game.
  — Mark Inabinett | [e-mail], al, 4 Aug. 2023
• The ball was snapped to the special-teams captain, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who barged through a stack of Chiefs to gain the first down.
  — Jody Rosen, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023
• During one of his first plays back, Mahomes ran for a first down.
  — Safid Deen, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2023
• Four resulted in a first down, and two of them went for touchdowns.
  — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024
• Jones found Henry in the middle of the field for 13 yards, and later scrambled 18 yards for a first down.
  — Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023
• Leighton Vander Esch and Sam Williams combined for a 1-yard loss on first down.
  — Dallas News, 12 Dec. 2022
• That call gave the Frogs a first down and allowed running back Kendre Miller to score from two yards out.
  — Dallas News, 19 Nov. 2022
• The first downs did gradually pile up, and Shazier can check them off.
  — Milo F. Bryant, Men's Health, 15 Aug. 2023
• Strong gave the Vikings a first down and restored their momentum.
  — Chad Finn, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Nov. 2022
• On fourth-and-the game from the Jets 40, Wilson rolled to his right and completed a 20-yard pass to Elijah Moore for a first down.
  — Dennis Waszak Jr., BostonGlobe.com, 18 Dec. 2022

Last Updated: 3 May 2024