The San Diego Chargers fell to the Tennessee Titans 27-10 in the first preseason match of 2016. Despite the loss, the Bolts' first team offense looked sharp with Melvin Gordon scoring his first NFL touchdown and the first team defense holding the Titans to only three points.
Stat of the Game:
With the Chargers emphasizing a more balance attack, the team finished with 32 pass attempts and 26 rushes.
Play of the Game:
Philip Rivers found Melvin Gordon out of the backfield, and the second-year running back did the rest. He showed off his speed in space, sprinting for the end zone before powering his way over the end line for the first touchdown of the preseason.
Turning Point:
With 11:59 to go in the game, Titans kicker Aldrick Rosas booted a 33-yard field goal to bring Tennessee's lead 20-10 over the Bolts. From there, the Titans would only go on to increase their lead through the rest of the game.
It Was Over When:
On his second NFL pass, Mike Bercovici was intercepted by linebacker Justin Staples. On the ensuing play, Bishop Sankey took the ball 41-yards for the touchdown.
Bolt Quotebook
"We'll watch the film and there will be some good and some bad. It's the first preseason game and we can't ever forget that. We played a lot of guys which is great. It's a great time for us as an organization to evaluate a lot of players. We told them certain guys are going to play a ton today and it'll be a great time for you to step up. I look forward to watching the film and analyzing every player and moving on to the next (game)." – Head Coach Mike McCoy
"I thought the guys up front did a nice job with the limited action we were in there. I think we got ourselves some 3rd-and-longs and converted and then Melvin makes a good catch-and-run. Dontrelle (Inman's) down there blocking and Melvin finishes in the end zone. You can't overreact both good and bad, but it can be something we can build on and something we should get excited about." – QB Philip Rivers
"I was just way more comfortable. I kind of just told myself last year that I was really just stressing over every little thing with the run. I calmed myself down, was focused on my reads, trusted (the line) and tried to make the best of what I can do." – RB Melvin Gordon
"It's just exciting. Especially being a special teamer, getting to be out there on the first play of the game, running down was a very exciting feeling. It was great to be back playing football. I'm very blessed to be playing on this high of a level and I just want to keep improving moving forward." – ILB Joshua Perry
"I think we just have to go back and look at the drawing board and film. Look what went wrong, what gaps we didn't fill and hold each other accountable. Obviously it's the preseason so we have time to correct it. We'll come back on Monday ready to work and attack those points in practice." – S Jahleel Addae
Odds and Ends
Tennessee outgained San Diego 447 to 330. The Titans outgained the Chargers 288 to 115 on the ground, while the Bolts held a 215 to 149 edge through the air.
Every Chargers running back averaged at least 3.8 yards per carry (Kenneth Farrow – 3.8, Melvin Gordon – 4.0, Chris Swain – 5.5, Branden Oliver – 6.3 and Danny Woodhead 9.0.)
Kellen Clemens led the quarterbacks with eight completions on 15 attempts for 96 yards.
Hunter Henry and James Jones led the way with three receptions each.
Nick Dzubnar had a team-high seven tackles and one forced fumble.
Philip Rivers, King Dunlap, Melvin Ingram, Jason Verrett and Darrell Stuckey served as captains.
Inactives for the Chargers included Rico Richardson, WR Travis Benjamin, WR Tyrell Williams, CB Greg Ducre, ILB Jatavis Brown, C Spencer Pulley, G Orlando Franklin, WR Javontee Herndon, DT Zamir Carlis, DT Tenny Palepoi and NT Sean Lissemore.
The Chargers take on the Tennessee Titans for the first preseason away game.
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hands the ball off to San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) moves into San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens (10) works against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Isaiah Burse (89) moves by Tennessee Titans free safety Daimion Stafford (39) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) hands the ball off to San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) calls a play against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) works against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers' Isaiah Burse makes the catch against Tennessee Titans linebacker Nate Palmer (50) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
San Diego Chargers running back Branden Oliver (43) runs against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Kellen Clemens (10) works Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) makes the catch against Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (20) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
San Diego Chargers cornerback Craig Mager (29) hits Tennessee Titans running back Antonio Andrews (26) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans tight end Alex Ellis (49) fumbles the ball in front of San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Tourek Williams (58) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (4) works against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) stands on the sidelines watching the game against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (4) works against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, speaks with Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) after the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans won 27-10. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
