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Turner gets first win as Chargers batter Rams

Aug 19, 2007 - 3:06 AM ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Philip Rivers and Darren Sproles helped Norv Turner to his first victory as the coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Rivers threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson and Sproles had an 81-yard punt return as the Chargers jumped to an early lead and beat the St. Louis Rams, 30-13, at the Edward Jones Dome on Saturday.

Turner, who became the Chargers' 14th head coach on February 19, 2007, inherited a team that won two of the last three AFC West titles and set a franchise record with 14 victories in 2006.

Rivers played the first half and completed 9-of-13 passes for 82 yards and a score. The Chargers (1-1) looked sharp on their first possession as Rivers led a 10-play, 71-yard drive that ended with a TD pass in the left corner of the end zone to Vincent Jackson.

Sproles, a third-year player from Kansas State, made it 14-0 as he fielded a punt at his 19-yard line and split the middle of the Rams' defense en route to an 81-yard return.

Chargers running back Michael Turner had 48 yards rushing as league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson did not dress for the second consecutive game.

The Rams (1-1) moved the ball well behind quarterback Marc Bulger but came up empty on their first two drives as turnovers did them in. Madison Hedgecock fumbled on the Rams' first drive and Bulger was intercepted by Clinton Hart in the end zone thwarting the second Rams' drive.

Bulger, who played the first four series, completed 8-of-12 passes for 79 yards and threw one interception.

Brian Leonard, the Rams' second-round draft pick, rushed for 49 yards on 17 carries as Steven Jackson watched the game from the sidelines.

Rams placekicker Kevin Lovell connected on field goals from 44 and 42 yards to cut the lead to 14-6.

san Diego backup quarterback Billy Volek completed 7-of-10 passes for 61 yards, including an 8-yard TD pass to Scott Chandler.

Rams quarterback Gus Ferotte, who is competing for the backup job, completed 16-of-22 passes for 187 yards and one TD.