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Titans edge Saints in final preseason game

Aug 31, 2012 - 2:27 AM Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Jake Locker threw for 81 yards in his last tuneup to start the regular season under center, as the Tennessee Titans edged the New Orleans Saints, 10-6, in the final preseason game for both teams.

Locker, Tennessee's first-round selection in the 2011 draft, completed 9-of-16 passes Thursday night. He was named the team's starting signal-caller last week after coming out on top of a close competition with battle-tested veteran Matt Hasselbeck.

Locker's first regular season start will come at home against the defending AFC champion New England Patriots on Sept. 9.

Third-string quarterback Sean Canfield played the entire contest for the Saints and connected on 31-of-45 passes for 288 yards and a pair of interceptions.

Garrett Hartley booted a pair of field goals for the Saints, who will begin the regular season Sept. 9 at home against the Washington Redskins.

Locker played most of the first half until Hasselbeck took over with under two minutes remaining. Locker led the Titans to a score on their first possession, after Tennessee recovered a fumble by Travaris Cadet. Rob Bironas kicked a 24- yard field goal.

Hartley kicked a 38-yard field goal in the final minute of the opening quarter and added a 21-yarder midway through the second.

Locker fumbled the ball away while scrambling up the middle deep inside Saints territory late in the half. Hasselbeck completed 3-of-4 passes for 19 yards before yielding to Rusty Smith, who ended 4-of-9 for 27 yards.

An interception by linebacker Tim Shaw led to the only touchdown of the game - a 1-yard run by Jamie Harper early in the third quarter.

Canfield was picked off by Tommie Campbell in Tennessee territory with 4:31 remaining in the game. The Saints got as far as the Titans' 30 before time expired.

The Saints ended the preseason 2-3, while the Titans finished 3-1.