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Munchak gets first win as the Titan’s head coach with a 14-3 victory over the Vikings

Locker gets his first touchdown pass as a Pro

Tennessee TitansNashville, TN – The Tennessee Titans win their first preseason game, over the Minnesota Vikings at LP Field 14-3. The Titans passed for 194 yards and rushed for another 96 yards totaling 290 yards. The Vikings had 248 yards of offense on 98 yards rushing and 150 yards passing.

Matt Hasselbeck, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent from the Seattle Seahawks on July 29th, started at quarterback and played one series in his Titans debut. One of his highlights was a 20 yard completion deep left to Lavelle Hawkins. Hasselbeck completed five of six passes for 55 yards during the drive and a 104.9 passer rating.

Jake Locker made his first appearance in a Titans uniform. The former Washington Husky, who was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, played from the first to the third quarter, taking snaps in a total of five series (excluding a one-play kneel-down drive at the end of the first half).  He completed a deep right pass to Yamon Figurs for a 45 yard touchdown. Locker completed seven of 10 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown without an interception, amounting to a passer rating of 130.8.

With starting running back Chris Johnson unavailable for the game, third-year tailback Javon Ringer received the start.  Ringer gained 17 yards on three carries and added 17 yards on two receptions, helping the Titans on two long drives.

Titans running back Jamie Harper totaled eight carries for 27 yards.  In the second quarter, the fourth-round pick from Clemson scored on a two-yard touchdown run.

Lavell Hawkins had two big catches on the night. On the game’s second play from scrimmage, wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins stretched out to collect a 20-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck. Later in the first quarter, Hawkins helped convert a third-and-two with a six-yard reception from Jake Locker.

The majority of the Titans’ starting defense was on the field for two Minnesota drives. In those two drives, the Titans limited the Vikings offense to 51 total yards and three first downs. The Vikings punted after both possessions.

Rookie defensive tackle Jurrell Casey, a third-round pick from USC, made his presence felt in his debut.  In the second quarter, as fellow rookie Karl Klug grabbed the ankles of the ball carrier, Lorenzo Booker, Casey stripped the ball and then recovered it.  The turnover set up a Titans touchdown on the next play.

Mike Munchak made his head coaching debut for the Titans after spending 12 years as an Oilers player and 17 seasons as an assistant coach with the Oilers/Titans.

For the Vikings, Donovan McNabb started as quarterback and was 6 of 11 passing for 40 yards. Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder completed 8 passes on 13 attempts for 84 yards. Adrian Peterson only carried the ball once for 4 yards. Lorenzo Booker rushed for 47 yards on 8 carries and caught 3 passes for 32 yards.

Titans Inactives for the Game

  • 18 WR Kenny Britt
  • 28 RB Chris Johnson
  • 32 S Robert Johnson
  • 39 S Nick Schommer
  • 46 LS John Stokes
  • 94 DT Sen’Derrick Marks

Vikings Inactives for the Game

  • 20 RB Tristan Davis
  • 23 CB Cedric Griffin
  • 30 S Mistral Raymond
  • 55 LB Kenny Onatolu
  • 64 G Anthony Herrera
  • 81 TE Visanthe Shiancoe
  • 86 WR Stephen Burton
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