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Jags down Falcons

Aug 31, 2012 - 1:47 AM Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - With Maurice Jones-Drew, the reigning rushing champion, continuing his prolonged holdout, the Jacksonville Jaguars rushed for a pair of touchdowns as they beat the Atlanta Falcons, 24-14, Thursday at EverBank Field.

Rashad Jennings stepped in and rushed for 34 yards on 11 carries, while Jalen Parmele finished with six carries for 56 yards and a score and Richard Murphy chipped in 12 rushes for 44 yards and a touchdown.

Jennings has already been named the starter for the Jaguars season-opener on Sunday, Sept. 9 when they head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.

Blaine Gabbert completed 7-of-12 passes for 64 yards, while backup Chad Henne went 4-of-6 for 106 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Dominique Davis took every snap for the Falcons, going 14-of-24 for 175 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, as starter Matt Ryan sat out to prepare for Atlanta's season opener on Sunday, Sept. 9 on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jacquizz Rodgers started in place of Michael Turner, who also watched from the sidelines, and rushed five times for 24 yards and a touchdown.

The Jaguars got off to a rough starter as Gabbert fumbled on their first play from scrimmage to give the ball to the Falcons, who quickly scored on their first play when Rodgers carried the ball five yards into the end zone.

Jacksonville evened things up late in the second as Parmele carried the ball four times for 48 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown scamper to knot the game at 7-7.

Henne started the second half for the Jags and lead them the length of the of the field on a four-play, 99-yard drive, highlighted by a 77-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Elliot to give Jacksonville a 14-7 lead.

The Falcons answered quickly as Davis found Kevin Cone for a 49-yard scoring play to knot the game at 14-14.

In the fourth, Josh Scobee drilled a 39-yard field goal after a 13-play drive stalled late, giving the Jaguars a 17-14 edge.

Jacksonville put the game away late when Murphy took a handoff five yards for a touchdown to extend the margin to 24-14 with less than four minutes to play.