QB Jon Kitna earned a game ball in the preseason win over the Giants.

WR Calvin Johnson burned the Giants for four catches and 78 yards.

Seven Lions sat out with injuries.

The Lions announced 43,644 tickets were sold for Thursday night’s game, a decline of more than 10 percent from the 49,402 sold for last year’s preseason opener.

The offensive line didn’t open many holes in the new zone blocking scheme.

Rookie OT Gosder Cherilus was yanked after committing two penalties in the first half; he returned in the fourth quarter and had a third penalty.

Said Cherilus afterward, “Yes, I was mad. I wanted to go out there, hit guys, have fun. But I didn’t want to put the team in a hole with my stupid penalties.”

Said backup QB Drew Stanton,”It’s been awhile. It hit me when I ran out onto the field the first time that this about to be the first live snap I’ve taken since November 2006. It’s been almost two years.”

Stanton’s best pass went to RB Artose Pinner in the fourth quarter.

RB Kevin Smith, a third-round pick, had eight carries for 22 yards.

K Jason Hanson suffered a strained left thigh when he hit a 50-yard field goal earlier in the second quarter.

Rookie LB Jordon Dizon had a big tackle on fourth-and-1.