With Tennessee Titans’ starting quarterback Jake Locker sidelined with a hip injury, Ryan Fitzpatrick ’05 made his first start of the season in Sunday’s contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite leading a second-half comeback, Fitzpatrick threw a costly interception in the fourth quarter that crippled Tennessee’s chances at victory, and the Titans fell to the undefeated Chiefs, 26-17.

Fitzpatrick connected with running back Chris Johnson on a 49-yard pass to begin the scoring for Tennessee less than three minutes into the third quarter, narrowing the deficit, 13-7. After Titan field goal, Fitzpatrick scrambled for a nine-yard touchdown to lead the team to a third straight scoring drive, giving Tennessee their first lead of the game, 17-13.

Fitzpatrick was unable to respond to Kansas City’s 13 point fourth quarter. Chief cornerback Quintin Demps picked off Fitzpatrick twice with less than six minutes left, both of which led to Kansas City field goals.

The former Crimson star overcame a rough start against the Chiefs in the first half, only completing five passes for 31 yards. The team was held scoreless in the first 30 minutes.

Fitzpatrick finished as the leading passer and rusher for Tennessee on Sunday, throwing for 247 yards and adding 50 yards on the ground.

With Locker likely to be sidelined for the next few weeks, it looks as if Fitzpatrick will continue to lead the 3-2 Titans in the immediate future.