FLASH RECAP:
The Titans dominate the error-prone Raiders before an announced crowd of 68,531 at the Coliseum in Nashville, Tenn. on Aug. 15, 2002. Oakland's first-team defense surrenders 121 yards and three touchdowns in the first nine minutes. After Steve McNair throws for a 34-yard touchdown to Derrick Mason on the opening drive, the Raiders commit turnovers on successive possessions that lead to Titans touchdowns. The Raiders (0-2) finish with four turnovers and nine penalties. Tyrone Wheatley (4 yards) and Rick Mirer (6 yards) rush for Oakland touchdowns.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
QB Steve McNair - Completes 4 of 7 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.
WR Derrick Mason - Burns Raiders CB Tory James for a 34-yard touchdown reception. Mason finishes with three catches for 74 yards.
WR Kevin Dyson - Takes a reverse and scores on an 11-yard run one play after the Titans recover a Raiders fumble.
LB Keith Bulluck - His first-quarter interception of a Rich Gannon pass sets up the Titans' third touchdown.
QB Marques Tuiasosopo - Completes 9 of 15 passes for 107 yards. Tuiasosopo finds WR Matthew Hatchette open in the end zone on third-and-11, but Hatchette drops the pass.
P Kevin Stemke - Averages 40.3 yards on six punts in his Raiders debut. Stemke replaces regular punter Shane Lechler, sidelined indefinitely because of a strained right quadriceps.
WR Jerry Porter -- Contributes two catches for 46 yards, including a 38-yard reception.
DE Kenyon Coleman - Rookie from UCLA has a sack for the second straight game.
KEY STAT:
The Titans out-gain the Raiders 121-3 in the first 8 minutes, 45 seconds.
TURNING POINT:
The Titans score two touchdowns in 12 seconds for a 14-0 advantage 2 1/2 minutes into the first quarter. After Steve McNair throws a 34-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason, Tony George recovers a fumble by the Raiders' Larry Ned on the ensuing kickoff. On the next play, Kevin Dyson takes a reverse and races 11 yards for a touchdown.
BY THE NUMBERS:
-
3: Missed field goals in two 2002 exhibition games by Oakland's Sebastian Janikowski. He is wide to the right on a 29-yard attempt against the Titans after missing kicks of 47 and 52 yards the previous game.
-
4: Oakland turnovers (two interceptions and two fumbles).
-
121: Yards allowed by Oakland's first-team defense in the first nine minutes as Tennessee bolts to a 21-0 advantage.
THEY SAID IT:
"We pretty much stunk it up in the first half. I didn't feel a lot of motivation out there from anyone - offense, defense or special teams. We just didn't go out there with any purpose."
Raiders CB Charles Woodson
"We really wanted to make a statement as far as getting the offense going, and we did that. You live for nights like this. I have a feeling four weeks from now (when the teams play in the regular season at Oakland), it's not going to be that easy."
Titans RB Eddie George
DID YOU KNOW?:
The Raiders open an exhibition season with two losses for the first time since 1992.
The Raiders' Larry Ned (43) fumbles a first-quarter kickoff.
By Associated Press
