FLASH RECAP:
Call it the Jerry and Rod Show. Wide receiver Jerry Rice and free safety Rod Woodson each set an NFL career record to lead host Oakland to a blowout over Tennessee before an announced crowd of 58,719 at Network Associates Coliseum on Sept. 29, 2002.
Rice, who turns 40 on Oct. 13, passes Walter Payton for the career record in yards from scrimmage. Rice has 151 yards (144 receiving, 7 rushing) against the Titans giving the future Hall of Famer 21,281 for his 18-year career. Payton, who died in 1999, had 21,264 yards during his 14-year career.
Woodson, 37, has three interceptions for 100 yards against Tennessee. On his 82-yard return for a touchdown early in the third quarter, he moves past Emlen Tunnell into first place for career interception return yardage. Woodson's total stands at 1,339 yards, eclipsing Tunnell's previous record of 1,282.
Rich Gannon throws for 381 yards and four touchdowns as the Raiders open a season with three victories for the first time since 1990. Phillip Buchanon (above) and Terry Kirby each return punts for touchdowns to help Oakland build a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter. Steve McNair throws for a career-high 398 yards for the Titans (1-3), who suffer their third straight loss. Tennessee running back Eddie George is held to 26 yards rushing on 11 carries (2.4 yards per rush). George had rushed for 438 yards in three previous career games against Oakland.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
QB Rich Gannon - Throws for 381 yards and four touchdowns on 29-of-39 passing for a 138.9 quarterback rating.
WR Jerry Rice - Has seven receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown. On his 10-yard touchdown catch late in the first half, Rice undresses Titans cornerback Mike Echols with a highlight-film, inside-out-move.
FS Rod Woodson - Has three interceptions for 100 yards, the second of which he returns 82 yards for a touchdown. His first interception sets up a 17-yard touchdown pass from Rich Gannon to Charlie Garner. Woodson increases his NFL record for interceptions returned for touchdowns to 11, and his No. 1 interception total among active players to 64.
CB/PR Phillip Buchanon - Returns a Craig Hentrich 83 yards for a touchdown four minutes into the game. Making his first NFL start because of an injury to Charles Woodson, Buchanon contributes an interception, two passes defensed and seven solo tackles.
WR Tim Brown - Has six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. On his fourth reception, Brown moves past Andre Reed into third place on the league's career receiving list. With 954 receptions, Brown trails Cris Carter (1,093) and Jerry Rice (1,384).
QB Steve McNair - Throws for a career-high 398 yards on 32-of-46 passing, but he also suffers four interceptions (two of which bounce off the hands of receivers.)
WR Drew Bennett - Catches six passes for 75 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown reception.
LB Keith Bulluck - Contributes nine solo tackles and forces a Terry Kirby fumble.
KEY STAT:
The Raiders' Terry Kirby is credited with a 79-yard punt return but no punt returns after he scores on a reverse from Phillip Buchanon.
TURNING POINT:
The Raiders bolt to a 21-0 lead five minutes, 24 seconds into the first quarter. Rich Gannon throws a 17-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Garner and Phillip Buchanon (83 yards) and Terry Kirby (79 yards) each return punts for scores.
BY THE NUMBERS:
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4: Interceptions by Oakland, which had only 24 turnovers last season.
6: Touchbacks by Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski. The six touchbacks is half his total for 2001, when he finished tied for second in the league.
10: Oakland penalties for 117 yards. Center Barret Robbins leads the way with two personal foul/unnecessary roughness penalties.
779: Combined passing yards by the Titans' Steve McNair (398) and the Raiders' Rich Gannon (381).
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders CB/PR Phillip Buchanon
"When you get a punt return for a touchdown, it takes a lot out of the
other team. Getting two returns like that back-to-back put them in a big hole."
"We have to turn it around, quick, fast and in a hurry. I am no loser and I don't feel like I am playing with any losers. It is just a matter of getting it together."
Titans LB Keith Bulluck
DID YOU KNOW?:
The 52 points equals a franchise high in the regular season for the Raiders. Oakland defeated the visiting Carolina Panthers 52-9 on Dec. 24, 2000, and the Raiders beat the visiting Houston Oilers 52-49 on Dec. 2, 1963. The 52 points are the most allowed by a Jeff Fisher-coached team and the most allowed by the Houston/Tennessee organization since a 61-7 loss to the host Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 17, 1989.
Phillip Buchanon celebrates on the sideline
during Oakland's 52-25 triumph over Tennessee.
By Associated Press
