By: Kara Van Hoose

Even reporters are having trouble adjusting to the new starting Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback.

Although some are still reluctant of Luke McCown, the Jaguars new starting quarterback, he did lead the Jaguars to a 16-14 season-opener victory against the Tennessee Titans. McCown managed the game, ending with 175 yards on 17 of 25 passing.

The offense did not have to heavily rely on McCown’s arm, with the backfield tandem with strong backs, such as Maurice Jones-Drew and Deji Karim doing most of the work. The two running backs combined for a total of 130 yards and one touchdown.

“We’re making the right moves,” Jones-Drew said. ‘We’re heading in the right direction.”
The first drive set the tone for the rest of the game. Eight of 11 plays were rushing plays, topped off with a 21-yard touchdown run by Jones-Drew.

That was also Jones-Drew’s 29th touchdown in 29 games against the AFC South.

“I

really like our rhythm early in the game and the tempo that we were setting,” McCown said.

But it was the Jaguars’ defense firing on all cylinders against the Titans’ offense that separated the competition – owning simultaneous three-and-outs to start the game.

“Anytime you can start the game with a sack and end it with an interception, it’s a good game,” Head Coach Jack Del Rio said after the game.

Overall, Del Rio was happy with the defense’s performance, saying it’s been a while since he’s felt this way about the team defensively.

“We’re going to be a good defense, but [the Titans’ offense] ended up with more yardage than they should have gotten.”
That yardage?

263 in the air and two touchdowns from veteran quarterback Matt Hasselback and a stifling 24-yards from running back Chris Johnson.

The missed opportunities alarmed Del Rio. He said the close score was a result of the offense only coming away with field goals instead of touchdowns while in the redzone.

Pro-Bowl Tight-End Marcedes Lewis left the game with a calf strain.

The attention now turns to a future big match-up in New Jersey against the New York Jets.

But the Jaguars celebrated their first win.

As McCown put it, “You can’t win them all unless you win the first one.”