Week 1, 1979

played in Tennessee, AL

58 degrees, fair, 3 mph wind

Houston Oilers	7	7	0	0	-	14
Tennessee Titans	0	17	0	6	-	23

Scoring Summary
1Q: 03:36 HOU - Sherman Smith 2 run (John Smith extra point)
2Q: 06:37 HOU - Wayne Wilson 6 fumble return (John Smith extra point)
2Q: 03:39 TEN - Edward McIntyre 12 pass from Gary Huff (Benny Ricardo extra point)
2Q: 02:26 TEN - Benny Ricardo 21 field goal
2Q: 00:35 TEN - Wilbert Montgomery 1 pass from Gary Huff (Benny Ricardo extra point)
4Q: 10:00 TEN - Benny Ricardo 40 field goal
4Q: 02:00 TEN - Benny Ricardo 49 field goal

Scoring Summary
1Q: 03:36 HOU - Sherman Smith 2 run (John Smith extra point)
2Q: 06:37 HOU - Wayne Wilson 6 fumble return (John Smith extra point)
2Q: 03:39 TEN - Edward McIntyre 12 pass from Gary Huff (Benny Ricardo extra point)
2Q: 02:26 TEN - Benny Ricardo 21 field goal
2Q: 00:35 TEN - Wilbert Montgomery 1 pass from Gary Huff (Benny Ricardo extra point)
4Q: 10:00 TEN - Benny Ricardo 40 field goal
4Q: 02:00 TEN - Benny Ricardo 49 field goal

Team Statistics HOU TEN
Record 0-1 1-0
First Downs 14 19
- by Rushing 7 5
- by Passing 5 13
- by Penalty 2 1
Total Net Yards 215 273
- Offensive Plays 60 62
- Yards per Play 3.58 4.40
Net Rushing Yards 132 53
- Rushing Attempts 43 25
- Yards per Rush 3.07 2.12
Net Passing Yards 83 220
- Att./Comp./Intrcpt 16 - 9 - 1 35 - 23 - 0
- Gross Passing Yards 90 239
- Sacks/Yards Lost 1/7 2/19
- Yards per Pass Play 4.88 5.95
Fumbles/Lost 3/2 2/1
3rd Down Conversions 8/17 3/12
- Avg. YtG on 3rd Down 8.9 9.6
4th Down Conversions 0/1 0/0
Penalties/Yards 9/78 7/50
Punt Returns/Yards 1/7 3/38
Kick Returns/Yards 5/73 3/81
Interception Ret./Yards 0/0 1/4
2pt Conversions 0/0 0/0
Red Zone Visits 1 5
- Red Zone TDs/FGs 1/0 2/2
Avg. Drive Start OWN 27 OWN 43
Time of Possession 31:43 28:17

Team Statistics	HOU	TEN
Record	0-1	1-0
First Downs	14	19
- by Rushing	7	5
- by Passing	5	13
- by Penalty	2	1
Total Net Yards	215	273
- Offensive Plays	60	62
- Yards per Play	3.58	4.40
Net Rushing Yards	132	53
- Rushing Attempts	43	25
- Yards per Rush	3.07	2.12
Net Passing Yards	83	220
- Att./Comp./Intrcpt	16 - 9 - 1	35 - 23 - 0
- Gross Passing Yards	90	239
- Sacks/Yards Lost	1/7	2/19
- Yards per Pass Play	4.88	5.95
Fumbles/Lost	3/2	2/1
3rd Down Conversions	8/17	3/12
- Avg. YtG on 3rd Down	8.9	9.6
4th Down Conversions	0/1	0/0
Penalties/Yards	9/78	7/50
Punt Returns/Yards	1/7	3/38
Kick Returns/Yards	5/73	3/81
Interception Ret./Yards	0/0	1/4
2pt Conversions	0/0	0/0
Red Zone Visits	1	5
- Red Zone TDs/FGs	1/0	2/2
Avg. Drive Start	OWN 27	OWN 43
Time of Possession	31:43	28:17

Drive Charts

Houston Oilers
Quar	Began	Poss	From	Plays	Yards	Result
1	10:56	7:30	OWN 43	13	57	Touchdown
2	13:22	1:35	OWN 45	3	5	Punt
2	10:39	4:36	OWN 37	10	63	Touchdown
2	4:41	0:44	OWN 6	3	0	Interception
2	2:20	0:43	OWN 27	3	10	Fumble
2	0:25	0:25	OWN 30	1	-2	Half
3	15:00	5:02	OWN 19	7	32	Punt
3	7:54	2:58	OWN 29	6	17	Punt
3	2:14	2:05	OWN 40	3	2	Punt
4	9:53	2:33	OWN 20	7	23	Punt
4	5:46	2:07	OWN 13	3	-10	Punt
4	1:52	0:51	OWN 21	3	-4	Downs

Tennessee Titans
Quar	Began	Poss	From	Plays	Yards	Result
1	15:00	4:04	OWN 35	7	29	Missed FG
1	3:26	5:04	OWN 35	8	27	Missed FG
2	11:47	1:08	OWN 23	3	-3	Punt
2	6:03	1:22	OWN 32	3	5	Punt
2	3:57	0:25	OPP 24	2	24	Touchdown
2	3:26	1:06	OPP 13	3	9	Field Goal
2	1:37	1:12	OPP 37	6	37	Touchdown
3	9:58	2:04	OWN 6	3	9	Punt
3	4:56	2:42	OWN 4	6	6	Punt
3	0:09	5:16	OWN 24	11	53	Field Goal
4	7:20	1:34	OWN 40	3	47	Fumble
4	3:39	1:47	OPP 49	5	17	Field Goal
4	1:01	1:01	OPP 17	2	6	Game

Game MVP: Gary Huff, Tennessee Titans

Rushing Statistics

Houston	Att	Yards	Avg	LG	10+	TD
Wilbur Jackson	27	62	2.30	9	0	0
Sherman Smith	14	66	4.71	20	3	1
Jon Keyworth	1	6	6.00	6	0	0
Carlos Brown	1	-2	-2.00	-2	0	0

Tennessee	Att	Yards	Avg	LG
Earl Campbell	17	37	2.18	9
Wilbert Montgomery	6	10	1.67	8
Gary Huff	1	-1	-1.00	-1
John Riggins	1	7	7.00	7

Passing Statistics

Houston	Att	Comp	Yards	Sk/Yd	TD	LG	Int	Rate
Carlos Brown	16	9	90	1/7	0	19	1	46.3

Tennessee	Att	Comp	Yards	Sk/Yd	TD	LG	Int	Rate
Gary Huff	35	23	239	2/19	2	25	0	104.3

Receiving Statistics

Houston	Catch	Targ	Yards	Avg	YAC	LG
RB Wilbur Jackson	2	2	10	5.00	1	6
WR Mike Thomas	2	5	28	14.00	1	19
WR Billy Campfield	2	3	23	11.50	7	16
TE Terry Nelson	1	2	4	4.00	0	4
WR Orlando Whiteman	1	1	14	14.00	7	14
RB Sherman Smith	1	1	11	11.00	0	11
FB Jon Keyworth	0	1	0	0.00	0	0
TE Tom Gallimore	0	1	0	0.00	0	0

Tennessee	Catch	Targ	Yards	Avg	YAC	LG	TD
TE Marc Forbes	5	5	37	7.40	14	11	0
WR Hugh Stopek	5	7	78	15.60	14	25	0
WR Wilbert Montgomery	5	5	33	6.60	15	13	1
WR Edward McIntyre	3	3	27	9.00	1	12	1
WR Reggie Rucker	2	7	33	16.50	8	19	0
RB Earl Campbell	2	4	20	10.00	6	15	0
WR Calvin Hickman	1	3	11	11.00	2	11	0
TE Ken Garcia	0	1	0	0.00	0	0	0

Interception Statistics

Houston	Ints	Yards	Avg	TD

Tennessee	Ints	Yards	Avg	TD
ILB Jack Reynolds	1	4	4.00	0

Fumble Statistics

Houston	Fumb	Recov	Force	TD
Wilbur Jackson	1	0	0	0
Orlando Whiteman	1	0	0	0
Sherman Smith	1	0	0	0
David Gray	0	1	1	0
Wayne Wilson	0	1	0	1
Perry Brooks	0	0	1	0

Tennessee	Fumb	Recov	Force
John Riggins	1	1	0
Marc Forbes	1	0	0
Craig Fulcher	0	1	1
Kendrick Sullivan	0	1	0
Boobie Clark	0	0	1
Jack Reynolds	0	0	1

Punting Statistics

Houston	Punt	Yards	Avg	Net	LG	In20
Mike Michel	6	255	42.5	36.2	50	4

Tennessee	Punt	Yards	Avg	Net	LG	In20
Greg Coleman	4	200	50.0	48.3	57	1

Kicking Statistics

Houston	FGs	40+Yd	50+Yd	LG	PAT
John Smith	0/0	0/0	0/0	0	2/2

Tennessee	FGs	40+Yd	50+Yd	LG	PAT
Benny Ricardo	3/5	2/4	0/2	49	2/2

Punt Return Statistics

Houston	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Orlando Whiteman	1	7	7.0	0

Tennessee	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Mack Herron	2	26	13.0	0
Ken Sawyer	1	12	12.0	0

Kick Return Statistics

Houston	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Orlando Whiteman	4	60	15.0	0
Isaac Curtis	1	13	13.0	0

Tennessee	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Mack Herron	2	53	26.5	0
Wilbert Montgomery	1	28	28.0	0

Defensive Statistics

Houston	Tack	Asst	Sack	RPlay	PPlay
S Ron Brandon	8	1	0.0	18	28
ILB Randy McClanahan	5	1	0.0	14	30
OLB Robert Braziel	4	1	1.0	10	21
DE Mike St. Clair	3	1	0.5	16	22
OLB Scott Studwell	3	2	0.0	23	29
S Charlie Phillips	3	0	0.0	15	30
OLB Robin Cole	3	0	0.0	6	6
ILB Frank Manumaleuga	3	0	0.0	11	7
DT Jeff Lloyd	2	2	0.5	12	23
CB Jeris White	2	2	0.0	16	27
DT Curley Culp	2	1	0.0	17	24
S Steve Foley	2	0	0.0	15	16
DT Perry Brooks	2	0	0.0	8	13
CB David Gray	2	0	0.0	17	29
CB Nelson Munsey	1	1	0.0	13	12
DE Mike Stensrud	1	1	0.0	13	15
WR Mike Thomas	1	0	---	---	---
DE Mike Bell	1	0	0.0	10	16
DE Dick Leftridge	0	1	0.0	15	21

Tennessee	Tack	Asst	Sack	RPlay	PPlay
ILB Jack Reynolds	9	2	0.0	40	15
DT Craig Fulcher	6	0	0.0	17	9
OLB Donnie Thomas	5	1	0.5	31	11
S Bill Simpson	5	0	0.0	32	14
CB Jerome Dove	4	0	0.0	34	13
DE Bill Kollar	3	2	0.5	29	14
S Frank Reed	3	2	0.0	33	13
OLB Reggie Mathis	3	1	0.0	16	6
CB Earl Dvorak	3	0	0.0	35	15
ILB Mike Hunt	2	2	0.0	9	1
S Kendrick Sullivan	2	1	0.0	22	13
DT Rickey McBeal	1	2	0.0	26	8
DE Lee Roy Selmon	1	2	0.0	37	14
OLB Jack Ham	1	1	0.0	32	13
OLB Frank LeMaster	1	1	0.0	9	2
DE Will Wynn	1	1	0.0	14	3

Pass Rush Statistics

Houston	Sack	Hurry	PPlay
OLB Robert Braziel	1.0	0	21
DT Jeff Lloyd	0.5	0	23
DE Mike St. Clair	0.5	0	22
DT Curley Culp	0.0	1	24
OLB Scott Studwell	0.0	1	29
DE Mike Bell	0.0	1	16

Tennessee	Sack	Hurry	Knock	PPlay
DE Bill Kollar	0.5	1	0	14
OLB Donnie Thomas	0.5	1	0	11
OLB Jack Ham	0.0	0	1	13
DT Craig Fulcher	0.0	0	1	9

Pass Defense Statistics

Houston	Caught	Defnsd	PPlay
S Ron Brandon	5	0	28
CB David Gray	4	1	29
S Charlie Phillips	3	2	30
ILB Randy McClanahan	2	1	30
OLB Robert Braziel	2	0	21
OLB Scott Studwell	2	0	29
ILB Frank Manumaleuga	1	2	7
CB Jeris White	1	0	27
S Steve Foley	1	0	16
DE Mike St. Clair	1	0	22
OLB Robin Cole	1	0	6

Tennessee	Caught	Defnsd	Intrcp	PPlay
S Bill Simpson	2	0	0	14
S Kendrick Sullivan	2	0	0	13
CB Jerome Dove	2	0	0	13
OLB Donnie Thomas	2	0	0	11
CB Earl Dvorak	1	0	0	15
OLB Jack Ham	0	1	0	13
S Frank Reed	0	1	0	13
ILB Jack Reynolds	0	0	1	15

Blocking Statistics

Houston	KeyBl	BlOpp	Panc	RPly	SckA	PPly
Robert Jackson	3	12	2	34	0	15
Desmond Cribbs	2	3	0	41	0	16
Ron Saul	1	7	0	42	0	16
Ted Petersen	1	5	0	37	0	13
Jon Keyworth	1	3	1	32	0	16
Wayne Wilson	1	2	1	12	0	1
Melvin Jackson	0	5	0	9	0	2
Ken Jones	0	4	0	41	0	16
Jim Yarbrough	0	1	0	6	0	4
Elvis Keyworth	0	0	0	2	1	1

Tennessee	KeyBl	BlOpp	Panc	RPly	SckA	PPly
Pete Adams	2	8	0	20	1	25
John Riggins	1	4	0	11	0	17
Keith Dorney	1	1	0	22	1	28
Todd Christensen	1	1	0	3	0	5
Carlton Malone	0	5	1	23	0	33
Dan Ryczek	0	1	0	8	0	11
Andy Dawson	0	1	0	21	0	33
Marc Forbes	0	1	0	8	0	19
Kris Wheeler	0	1	0	21	0	30
Dave Studdard	0	1	0	3	0	9

Special Teams Tackles

Houston	Tackles	STPlays
Frank Manumaleuga	3	12
Jon Keyworth	1	10
Vern Roberson	1	9
Melvin Jackson	1	6

Tennessee	Tackles	STPlays
Mack Herron	2	23
Boobie Clark	2	16
Donnie Thomas	1	24
Kendrick Sullivan	1	14

Participation

Houston	RPlyOff	PPlyOff	RPlyDef	PPlyDef	STPly	Total Plays
Ron Saul	42	16	---	---	6	64
Desmond Cribbs	41	16	---	---	4	61
Carlos Brown	43	17	---	---	---	60
Scott Studwell	---	---	23	29	7	59
Jon Keyworth	32	16	---	---	10	58
Ken Jones	41	16	---	---	---	57
Terry Jackson	---	---	15	21	19	55
David Gray	---	---	17	29	5	51
Ron Brandon	---	---	18	28	4	50
Ted Petersen	37	13	---	---	---	50
Robert Jackson	34	15	---	---	---	49
Charlie Phillips	---	---	15	30	3	48
Jeris White	---	---	16	27	4	47
Tom Gallimore	23	9	---	---	15	47
Robert Braziel	---	---	10	21	16	47
Randy McClanahan	---	---	14	30	3	47
Curley Culp	---	---	17	24	4	45
Mike Thomas	23	12	---	---	10	45
Mike St. Clair	---	---	16	22	5	43
Steve Foley	---	---	15	16	11	42
Sherman Smith	16	8	---	---	18	42
Billy Campfield	23	12	---	---	6	41
Dick Leftridge	---	---	15	21	4	40
Jeff Lloyd	---	---	12	23	4	39
Isaac Curtis	24	5	---	---	9	38
Wilbur Jackson	28	9	---	---	1	38
Terry Nelson	23	9	---	---	2	34
Mike Stensrud	---	---	13	15	4	32
Mike Bell	---	---	10	16	4	30
Frank Manumaleuga	---	---	11	7	12	30
Nelson Munsey	---	---	13	12	4	29
Orlando Whiteman	11	4	---	---	13	28
Mike Calhoun	---	---	9	15	3	27
Perry Brooks	---	---	8	13	3	24
Wayne Wilson	12	1	---	---	9	22
Robin Cole	---	---	6	6	6	18
Melvin Jackson	9	2	---	---	6	17
Jim Yarbrough	6	4	---	---	6	16
Vern Roberson	---	---	2	2	9	13
Dave Lafary	1	1	---	---	6	8
Mike Michel	0	0	---	---	6	6
John Smith	0	0	---	---	3	3
Thom Dornbrook	2	1	---	---	---	3
Elvis Keyworth	2	1	---	---	---	3
Dan Pastorini	0	0	---	---	---	0
Dale Zorn	0	0	---	---	---	0

Tennessee	RPlyOff	PPlyOff	RPlyDef	PPlyDef	STPly	Total Plays
Donnie Thomas	---	---	31	11	24	66
Gary Huff	25	37	---	---	---	62
Andy Dawson	21	33	---	---	8	62
Ken Sawyer	---	---	35	15	10	60
Keith Dorney	22	28	---	---	9	59
Carlton Malone	23	33	---	---	---	56
Jack Reynolds	---	---	40	15	---	55
Kris Wheeler	21	30	---	---	2	53
Lee Roy Selmon	---	---	37	14	2	53
Earl Dvorak	---	---	35	15	---	50
Kendrick Sullivan	---	---	22	13	14	49
Jerome Dove	---	---	34	13	2	49
Ken Garcia	14	19	---	---	15	48
Bill Simpson	---	---	32	14	1	47
Jack Ham	---	---	32	13	1	46
Reggie Rucker	15	26	---	---	5	46
Calvin Hickman	17	29	---	---	---	46
Frank Reed	---	---	33	13	---	46
Pete Adams	20	25	---	---	---	45
Earl Campbell	18	27	---	---	---	45
Bill Kollar	---	---	29	14	---	43
Marc Forbes	8	19	---	---	16	43
Rickey McBeal	---	---	26	8	3	37
John Riggins	11	17	---	---	8	36
Ronnie Covington	---	---	14	5	12	31
Reggie Mathis	---	---	16	6	8	30
Boobie Clark	6	7	---	---	16	29
Hugh Stopek	14	15	---	---	---	29
Dan Ryczek	8	11	---	---	9	28
Craig Fulcher	---	---	17	9	---	26
Vincent Forbes	5	12	---	---	9	26
Mack Herron	1	1	---	---	23	25
Todd Christensen	3	5	---	---	17	25
Edward McIntyre	11	10	---	---	1	22
Wilbert Montgomery	7	10	---	---	3	20
Doug English	---	---	8	3	7	18
Will Wynn	---	---	14	3	---	17
Sidney Thornton	0	0	---	---	17	17
Frank LeMaster	---	---	9	2	1	12
Dave Studdard	3	9	---	---	---	12
Benny Ricardo	0	0	---	---	11	11
Mike Hunt	---	---	9	1	---	10
Juan Bruce	2	4	---	---	1	7
Randy Hedberg	0	0	---	---	5	5
Greg Coleman	0	0	---	---	4	4
Jim Zorn	0	0	---	---	---	0

Directional Rushing Statistics

Distance	Att	Yards	Avg
Left	6	21	3.5
Middle	32	104	3.3
Right	4	9	2.3
None	1	-2	-2.0

Distance	Att	Yards	Avg
Left	9	34	3.8
Middle	13	22	1.7
Right	2	-2	-1.0
None	1	-1	-1.0

Detailed Passing Statistics

Houston	Att	Cmp	20+	BdTh	Drop	Dfns	Hurr	Knck	Intc
Carlos Brown	16	9	0	1	1	2	2	2	1

Tennessee	Att	Cmp	20+	BdTh	Drop	Dfns	Hurr	Knck	Intc
Gary Huff	35	23	2	2	1	6	3	0	0

Directional Passing Statistics

Distance	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg
Screen	3	2	10	3.3
Short (0-8 Yds)	7	5	45	6.4
Medium (9-18 Yds)	4	2	35	8.8
Long (19+ Yds)	2	0	0	0.0

Distance	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg
Screen	6	4	38	6.3
Short (0-8 Yds)	17	14	117	6.9
Medium (9-18 Yds)	6	4	59	9.8
Long (19+ Yds)	6	1	25	4.2

Detailed Receiving Statistics

Houston	Targt	Caugt	Dropd	Yards	PPlay
WR Mike Thomas	5	2	0	28	12
WR Billy Campfield	3	2	0	23	12
RB Wilbur Jackson	2	2	0	10	9
TE Terry Nelson	2	1	0	4	9
FB Jon Keyworth	1	0	0	0	16
WR Orlando Whiteman	1	1	0	14	4
TE Tom Gallimore	1	0	1	0	9
RB Sherman Smith	1	1	0	11	8

Tennessee	Targt	Caugt	Dropd	Yards	20+	PPlay
WR Reggie Rucker	7	2	0	33	0	26
WR Hugh Stopek	7	5	1	78	2	15
TE Marc Forbes	5	5	0	37	0	19
WR Wilbert Montgomery	5	5	0	33	0	10
RB Earl Campbell	4	2	0	20	0	27
WR Edward McIntyre	3	3	0	27	0	10
WR Calvin Hickman	3	1	0	11	0	29
TE Ken Garcia	1	0	0	0	0	19

Red-Zone Rushing Statistics

Houston	Att	Yards	Avg	Overall Avg
Wilbur Jackson	3	7	2.33	2.30
Sherman Smith	2	2	1.00	4.71

Tennessee	Att	Yards	Avg	Overall Avg
Wilbert Montgomery	2	-3	-1.50	1.67
Gary Huff	1	-1	-1.00	-1.00
Earl Campbell	1	7	7.00	2.18

Red-Zone Passing Statistics

Houston	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg/Att	Overall Avg
Carlos Brown	1	1	4	4.00	5.63

Tennessee	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg/Att	Overall Avg
Gary Huff	6	5	33	5.50	6.83

Red-Zone Receiving Statistics

Houston	Target	Catch	Yards	Avg/Targ	Overall Avg
TE Terry Nelson	1	1	4	4.00	2.00

Tennessee	Target	Catch	Yards	Avg/Targ	Overall Avg
WR Wilbert Montgomery	2	2	9	4.50	6.60
WR Reggie Rucker	1	0	0	0.00	4.71
WR Edward McIntyre	1	1	12	12.00	9.00
TE Marc Forbes	1	1	7	7.00	7.40
RB Earl Campbell	1	1	5	5.00	5.00

Third Down Rushing Statistics

Houston	Rushes	Conversions
Sherman Smith	5	3
Wilbur Jackson	3	1

Tennessee	Rushes	Conversions
Earl Campbell	2	1
Wilbert Montgomery	1	0

Third Down Passing Statistics

Houston	Att	Comp	Conversions
Carlos Brown	8	5	4

Tennessee	Att	Comp	Conversions
Gary Huff	8	4	2

Third Down Receiving Statistics

Houston	Targ	Catch	Conversions
WR Mike Thomas	4	1	1
WR Billy Campfield	2	2	2
RB Wilbur Jackson	1	1	0
RB Sherman Smith	1	1	1

Tennessee	Targ	Catch	Conversions
TE Marc Forbes	2	2	0
WR Calvin Hickman	2	0	0
WR Reggie Rucker	1	0	0
WR Edward McIntyre	1	1	1
WR Hugh Stopek	1	1	1
RB Earl Campbell	1	0	0

Section Attendance
Stadium 53,200 (70,000 capacity)
Upper Deck 17,300 (21,400)
End Zone 12,400 (15,400)
Mezzanine 7,200 (8,900)
Sideline Seats 11,000 (13,600)
Club Seats 5,000 (7,400)
Luxury Boxes 300 (3,300)

Section	Attendance
Stadium	53,200 (70,000 capacity)
Upper Deck	17,300 (21,400)
End Zone	12,400 (15,400)
Mezzanine	7,200 (8,900)
Sideline Seats	11,000 (13,600)
Club Seats	5,000 (7,400)
Luxury Boxes	300 (3,300)