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Young has the last word as Titans topple Texans

Dec 10, 2006 - 9:41 PM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Vince Young really wanted to be a Houston Texan but they went in another direction. Young made his hometown team pay for the slight.

Returning to the town where he was a high school star, Young scored on an electrifying run in overtime to lead the Tennessee Titans to a 26-20 victory over the Texans.

Born in Houston, Young lobbied for the Houston Texans to take him with the first pick in last April's draft. The Texans passed on the chance to draft Young, opting to go with North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams. The Titans were more than happy to take Young third overall.

Houston's decision has been a blessing for Tennessee (6-7), which has now won four straight and improved to 8-2 all-time against Houston (4-9).

The Texans tied the game, 20-20, on a 46-yard field goal by Kris Brown with 2:24 left in the fourth quarter. The Titans were unable to mount a drive in the final minutes of regulation but won the toss to start overtime.

Facing a 3rd-and-14 from the Texans' 39, Young dropped back to pass out of the shotgun and was surrounded by defenders near midfield. He found a seam and scampered up the middle 39 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

"The play he made to end the game was special. It's off the charts," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "It was a hell of a win for them and a devastating loss for us, very difficult. Vince Young is going to make great plays. He made some with his arm and he made some third downs running around. And when the game was at its ultimate spot, that is where he rose to the occasion. That play he made right there, guys just don't make that play. That is why he is what he is, the great player he is."

"I've still got a lot more years left and this is just one game," Young said. "It was great doing it in Houston. It can't get better. When we got the ball in overtime, we made up our minds that we were going to win it. On that last play the O-line just made some key blocks for me. I got some yards and as it just opened up, I kept running."

Young starred at Madison High School before he became an even bigger star in his home state by leading Texas past Southern California in the Rose Bowl in last January's national championship game.

To add insult to the injury, Young has now directed the Titans to a pair of wins over the Texans, following a 28-22 victory on October 29.

"Today we just found another way to get it done," Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher said. "We got contributions from every position and we got some great play-calling from our offensive staff. We still have a long way to go, but we will enjoy this one tonight."

The cornerstone for the improving Titans, who have turned things around following an 0-5 start, Young completed 19-of-29 passes for 218 yards and was intercepted once. He added 86 yards rushing on seven carries.

"(Young) stayed focused all week and didn't get caught up in anything," Fisher said. "He was prepared focused and he showed up today with the poise he needed to get it done. On that last play, we were just looking to get eight to 10 yards and kick it, but Vince used his legs."

Travis Henry rushed for 88 yards and two TDs on 20 carries for Tennessee. He was quick to credit his rookie quarterback for his performance.

"Vince in unbelievable. Just amazing and that was a great way to end a game that we know he was looking forward to playing," Henry said. "He is maturing every week and he is staying poised and guys all over the team, the whole team, is just feeding off of that."

Former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne had two rushing TDs for Houston.

Young did not win the Heisman. Last year he was beat out for the award by running back Reggie Bush, another player the Texans have been criticized for not taking. But the former Texas Longhorn is the rookie having the biggest impact and it started before Sunday's performance against Houston.

Of Tennessee's three straight wins, four have been of the comeback variety. The Titans overcame a 21-0 fourth-quarter deficit to stun the New York Giants two weeks ago and in their last game, a 20-17 win over Indianapolis, Young engineered another comeback the Rob Bironas punctuated with a game-winning 60-yard field goal.

"I can't compare this at all to winning the national championship. That was one of the best feelings ever and this was just one game," Young said. "This ranks up there pretty high, but I have a long future ahead of me. I just have to keep practicing and doing what I can do to get better."

Young's exploits must have been particularly hard for Texans quarterback David Carr to take. Carr has come under fire recently for his performance and a perceived lack of improvement. He was 17-of-23 for 140 yards but did not throw for a score.

"That's something that has been hyped up for a long time. As long as they're going to keep coming here and Vince plays for the Titans, it's going to happen," Carr said of the buildup to the game. "You just have to deal with it. But that is not why we lost. We just didn't score enough points."