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Titans use big plays to KO Rams

Aug 10, 2008 - 3:30 AM By Chip Cirillo PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- A veteran middle linebacker and two young running backs led the Tennessee Titans to victory on Saturday night.

Keith Bulluck scored on a 13-yard interception return in the first quarter and rookie Chris Johnson and Quinton Ganther scored on long runs, sparking the Titans to a 34-13 win over the St. Louis Rams in the preseason opener at LP Field.

Johnson, a first-round draft pick from East Carolina, showcased his speed on a 66-yard touchdown run up the middle to give Tennessee a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.

Ganther, who has spent most of the past two seasons on the Titans' practice squad, scored two touchdowns in the second half and rushed for 115 yards on eight carries.

The former Utah running back scored on a 45-yard TD run after breaking a tackle in the third quarter and added a 2-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter to give the Titans a commanding 34-13 lead.

Rams starting quarterback Marc Bulger struggled in the first quarter, completing 3-of-9 passes for 29 yards with one interception and a 3.7 rating. St. Louis was without star running back Steven Jackson, who has yet to report to camp in a salary dispute.

John Vaughn, filling in for the injured Rob Bironas (groin), kicked field goals of 48 and 43 yards in the first half for Tennessee.

The two teams were very familiar with each other after practicing together four times in Nashville on Wednesday and Thursday.

Tennessee when cornerback Nick Harper suffered a mild concussion on the first play from scrimmage, which kept him out for the remainder of the game.