After a shaky start to their preseason contest against the Buccaneers, the Patriots' offense was able to orchestrate its first scoring drive of the night, but the team still trails 20-7. Here are second quarter observations of note:

1. Offense rides Ridley to pay dirt. Running back Stevan Ridley was once again the Patriots' starting back tonight, and he made the most of his early opportunities. He plunged for a score, which was set up thanks in large part to a 29-yard run on a power play to the offense's right side. Ridley was decisive throughout the drive.

2. Vereen, Larsen leave the game. Ridley's backfield mates Shane Vereen and Spencer Larsen both left the field with injuries. Vereen's injury appeared to be to his lower left leg, while it looked like a right leg issue for Larsen, who limped off the field.

3. Run defense continues to shine. We made mention of it during our first quarter observations, but it bears repeating: the Patriots run defense has been very good throughout the evening, holding Tampa Bay to just 49 yards on 13 carries. Credit goes across the board on defense.

4. Pats stuffed on fourth down. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has never been afraid to roll the dice, and did so in going for it on fourth down with the Patriots on approximately their own 41-yard line. In preseason, certainly the stakes aren't nearly as high, and this could be viewed as an opportunity to work on situational football. Stevan Ridley was stopped short of a first down on a left side run.

5. Ebner works with starters. Safety Nate Ebner, a rookie from Ohio State, played valuable reps with the Patriots' starting defense. For a guy who played just three defensive snaps during his final college season, Ebner appears to have come a long way in a short period of time.

6. Hernandez fumbles, fortunate to maintain possession. Tight end Aaron Hernandez had the football ripped out of his grasp as he was working towards the sideline, but was fortunate that Bucs cornerback Eric Wright contacted the football out of bounds, allowing the Patriots to keep possession. In two seasons as a pro, Hernandez has fumbled just once.

7. Hernandez fields a punt, too. Shortly after his fumble, Hernandez was called on to field a punt. He did so cleanly, and made a couple of defenders miss on a short return. It's his first rep in game action, so it's too soon to make a judgement on his long-term prospects as a returner.

8. Penalty Box: Safety Tavon Wilson was called for pass interference, while guard Donald Thomas was flagged for a hold.