JAGUARS OPEN SEASON WITH THREE ROOKIE STARTERS

The Jaguars had three rookies in the starting lineup today in guard Brandon Linder and receivers Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee.  It marked the first time in team history two rookie wide receivers started in the season-opener and Hurns became the first undrafted rookie in team history to start in the season-opener.  The last time the Jaguars started three rookies on Kickoff Weekend was 2009 (cornerback Derek Cox, offensive tackle Eben Britton, offensive tackle Eugene Monroe). Six rookies saw action for the Jaguars. 

ROOKIE RECEIVERS MAKE SOLID FIRST IMPRESSION

Three of the Jaguars' four active receivers were rookies and the trio of Allen Hurns (4-110, 2 TDs), Marqise Lee (6-62) and Allen Robinson (1-0) combined for 11 receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns.  Lee's six receptions tied Marcedes Lewis for the team-lead. 

HURNS SHINES IN DEBUT

Rookie wide receiver Allen Hurns scored both of the Jaguars touchdowns and finished with a game-high 110 receiving yards on four receptions.  Hurns' first two catches went for touchdowns (34 yards, 21 yards) and he finished the first quarter with three catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns.

Hurns became the first rookie in NFL history in at least 50 years to score two touchdowns in the first quarter of a week one game.  He joined former Detroit wide receiver Charles Rogers (Sept. 7, 2003 vs. Arizona) as the only players in NFL history to score a touchdown on each of their first two receptions.  His 110 receiving yards were the fourth-most by a Jaguars rookie.  He became the first Jaguar to have two receiving touchdowns in a game since Marcedes Lewis accomplished the feat on Nov. 18, 2012 at Houston. 

DEFENSE MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN IN FIRST HALF

The Jaguars defense forced two takeaways on the Eagles first two possessions, both coming via the sack/forced fumble.  It marked only the second time in franchise history the club started a game with takeaways on the opening two possessions (Sept. 13, 2009 at Indianapolis, fumble/interception).

The Jaguars set a franchise record with five sacks in the first half which tied for the 16th-most in NFL history. 

HENNE BECOMES EIGHTH DIFFERENT STARTER ON OPENING DAY

Chad Henne was the eighth different quarterback to start on opening day for the Jaguars and was the fourth quarterback in the last five years to start on Kickoff Weekend for the Jaguars.  Henne completed 24 of 43 passes for 266 yards with two touchdowns for an 89.9 rating.  

Here are additional notes on Henne from today:

• Completed three passes of 20-plus yards including a 46-yard touchdown pass to Allen Hurns in the first quarter.
• Marked his 14th career game with two or more touchdown passes.  He has thrown for at least two touchdowns in five of the last six games dating back to 2013.

CLEMONS WASTES LITTLE TIME MAKING AN IMPACT

Chris Clemons made an immediate impact in his first game for the Jaguars, taking down Eagles quarterback Nick Foles and forcing a fumble on the Eagles first possession.  Defensive end Ryan Davis recovered the fumble for the Jaguars.  Clemons has 59 career sacks including two in four career games against Philadelphia.

SCOBEE AND LEWIS BEGIN ANOTHER SEASON WITH JAGUARS

Kicker Josh Scobee began his 11th season with the Jaguars today, tied for the second-longest tenure in franchise history.  Tight end Marcedes Lewis is in his ninth season with the Jaguars, tied for the seventh-longest tenure in team history.  Lewis played in his 120th career game today, tied with Mark Brunell (1995-2003) and Kyle Brady (1999-2006) for the 10th-most in team history. Former center Brad Meester played a franchise-record 14 seasons.

NEW LOOK ON OFFENSIVE LINE

Only two players who started on the offensive line in the 2013 season finale were in the starting lineup today and both were at different positions.  Cameron Bradfield started at right tackle today after finishing the 2013 campaign at left tackle.  Jacques McClendon made his first career start at center, his third start overall, as he finished the 2013 season at Indianapolis at left guard.

Second-year left tackle Luke Joeckelmade his sixth career start and first since October 6, 2013 when he suffered a season-ending ankle injury.  Left guard Zane Beadles joined the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in 2014 and has started 63 career games.   2014 third-round pick Brandon Linder opened the season at right guard, one of three rookies that started on offense..

GERHART BECOMES LEAD BACK

Toby Gerhart made his seventh career start today and first since January 1, 2012 against Chicago as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.  Gerhart joined the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in 2014 after spending four seasons backing up Adrian Peterson at Minnesota.

Gerhart rushed 18 times for 42 yards and had two receptions for two yards.  His 18 rushes were the fourth-most of his career and most since December 11, 2011 at Detroit.

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MARKS LEADS DEFENSIVE LINE

Sen'Derrick Marks paced the defensive line with five tackles including one sack and two tackles for loss.  Marks, who had a career-high four sacks in 2013, sacked Eagles quarterback Nick Foles for a six-yard loss in the second quarter. 

CAREER-HIGH TWO SACKS FOR RYAN DAVIS

Second-year defensive end Ryan Davis was credited with a career-high two sacks along with two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.  Davis entered the game with only one career sack.

POSLUSZNY ECLIPES 1,000 CAREER TACKLES

Linebacker Paul Posluszny registered a game-high 12 tackles (11 solo), the 37th time in 48 games as a member of the Jaguars he posted double-digit tackles.  Posluszny increased his career tackles total to 1,008 tackles.

LEWIS SURPASSES 300 CAREER RECEPTIONS

Tight end Marcedes Lewis tied for the team-high with six receptions that went for 35 yards.  Lewis, who has 303 career receptions, joined Jimmy Smith (862), Keenan McCardell (499) and Maurice Jones-Drew (335) as the only players in franchise history with 300-plus receptions.

SCOBEE HITS FROM 49 YARDS; HAS FIELD GOAL BLOCKED

All three of Josh Scobee's field goal attempts took place in the second quarter as he connected on a 49-yarder, misfired from 50 yards and had a 36-yard field goal blocked.  Scobee's missed field goal was his first in September since Sept. 27, 2009 at Houston, snapping a streak of 21 straight made field goals.  The last opponent to block a Scobee field goal was J.J. Watt of Houston on Nov. 24, 2013. 

Tidbits

• The Jaguars led for 18:27 of the game.
• The Jaguars finished with a plus-two turnover differential. 
• The Jaguars built a 17-0 halftime lead, the largest lead for the club since Dec. 11, 2011 vs. Tampa Bay.  The largest lead for the Jaguars in 2013 was 13 points on November 10 at Tennessee.
• The Jaguars held the Eagles scoreless in the first half, the first time an opponent was held scoreless in the first half since Dec. 9, 2012 vs. New York Jets.
• Cornerback Alan Ball registered his sixth career interception, his third as a Jaguar.
• Defensive tackle Tyson Alualu saw action as a reserve, snapping a streak of 64 consecutive starts to begin his career.  His 65 consecutive games played is the sixth-longest streak in franchise history.
• Mike Brown returned three punts for 28 yards, his first career punt returns. 
• Guard Zane Beadles extended his streak to 65 consecutive games played.
• Of the 47 players dressed, only rookie quarterback Blake Bortles did not see action. 
• On the Eagles eight first half possessions, the Jaguars defense forced four punts, recorded two sack/forced fumbles/fumble recoveries and one interception.  Time expired on the Eagles final drive of the first half. 
• The Jaguars outgained the Eagles 188 to 129 in the first half.
• The Jaguars two touchdown drives lasted 1:58 and 10 seconds. 
• The Jaguars had three completions of 20-plus yards, two resulting in touchdowns.
• The Eagles scored 34 points in the second half, the third-most by a Jaguars opponent in franchise history.  The Jaguars allowed 38 points to Minnesota (Dec. 20, 1998) and Chicago (Oct. 7, 2012).