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Kick returns power Texans past Jaguars

Dec 30, 2007 - 11:19 PM By Ryan Koslen PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) - The Houston Texans scored a franchise-record 42 points on the way to 42-28 season-ending win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Reliant Stadium.

Andre Davis ran back kickoffs of 97 and 104 yards for touchdowns, becoming the seventh player in NFL history to score two kickoff return touchdowns in a game.

The 104-yard return to open the second half broke open a 21-14 game and was the longest play in Texans' history.

"We were able to do something special today as a team," Davis said. "I knew at some point this season I would get the chance to shine. I was just hoping I didn't cramp up on the returns. I just tried to stay relaxed and make the most of the opportunity."

Houston (8-8) scored on its next drive, going ahead, 35-14, on Ron Dayne's 12-yard run and added a late touchdown from rookie Darius Walker to close out the season with a franchise-best eight wins.

The Texans ran up 290 yards of offense against a Jaguars defense that was missing four inactive starters.

"It was important that we finish the right way after the way we played last week," Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said. "We've been through a lot this year. I'm proud of the way we finished today but we have to get better.

"We ran the ball very well today. Andre Davis' kick returns were the catalyst in the game today. When you make plays like that, everyone feeds off of that."

Dayne had rushing touchdowns of 2 and 12 yards and Walker added his first career touchdown on a 1-yard scamper late in the third quarter. Dayne finished with 88 yards on 22 carries and Walker had 86 yards on 10 carries.

"I'm just happy that we won and I was able to get in and help the team win," Dayne said. "That's what most of the guys around here want to do, so if we take that attitude, we can win."

Sage Rosenfels finished 11-for-18 with 128 yards and a touchdown. Rosenfels started the final four games for an injured Matt Schaub.

"Winning eight games this season is a big step for this organization," Rosenfels said. "You have to take small steps to get where you want to go. The running game and offensive line was huge for us today. When you win, it's a pretty good team effort and that's what it was today."

Jacksonville's Quinn Gray, who started at quarterback for David Garrard, was 25-of-39 for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

"Quinn did a nice job of operating the offense today," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "He made some plays and it was good to see him step up and play well. Our approach today was to be smart. We earned that right. We hope to be as fresh as possible heading into the playoffs and we're looking forward to the challenges."

Ernest Wilford had six receptions for 58 yards and two touchdowns while Matt Jones added eight catches for 138 yards and a touchdown.

"Quinn (Gray) threw a lot of good passes today," Matt Jones said. "I was out there having a lot of fun and anytime Coach gives you a chance to play, you want to go out there and produce."

Greg Jones added 71 yards rushing on 14 carries for the the Jaguars (11-4), who open the playoffs on the road next week at either Pittsburgh or San Diego.

Jacksonville also was without inactive starters Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew and Dennis Northcutt.

The Jaguars marched down the field on their opening drive with Reggie Williams hauling in a 22-yard pass from Gray to close out a 14-play, 84-yard drive.

Jacksonville went three-and-out on its next drive and Chad Owens then fumbled a punt return, giving the Texans the ball on the Jacksonville 6-yard line and setting up Dayne's first touchdown.