Saturday, August 23, 2008

Romo leads 'Boys to victory over Texans

NBC 15 Online

Tony Romo looked sharp, completing 15-of-19 passes for 166 yards with one touchdown and an interception, as the Dallas Cowboys held on to beat the Houston Texans, 23-22.

Marion Barber rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries, including one score, for the Cowboys (1-2). Terrell Owens caught four passes for 43 yards, while Patrick Crayton made three receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Matt Schaub saw extended playing for the Texans (2-1), playing well into the second half. He looked out of rhythm at times, though, finishing 15-of-27 for 166 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Walter had a game-high six receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. Steve Slaton gained 44 yards on 10 carries

It was not all good news for Houston, which saw wide receiver Harry Williams carted off the field on a stretcher following a blow to the head early in the first quarter.

The injury occurred on the ensuing kickoff after Houston capped the opening drive with a 44-yard field goal by Kris Brown. Williams was attempting to tackle Dallas' Isaiah Stanback when he slid off the runner and collided with teammate Nick Ferguson. Williams lay face-down on the field and medical personnel immediately called for a stretcher. The game was delayed nearly 10 minutes while they tended to Williams. He was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Crayton's six-yard touchdown gave the Cowboys a 7-3 lead and capped a seven- play, 51-yard drive. Dallas carried a 10-3 lead into the second quarter after Nick Folk booted a 48-yard field goal.

After Schaub connected with Walter for an 11-yard strike, Dallas reclaimed the lead on Barber's one-yard touchdown. Folk added a 41-yard field goal in the dying seconds of the half for a 20-10 Cowboys advantage.

Following the break, Houston trimmed the margin to 20-13 on Brown's 23-yard field goal. The Texans continued to chip away in the fourth as Brown split the uprights from 29 yards out. Folk kicked a 35-yarder to make it a 23-16 game, but Sage Rosenfels eight-yard scamper into the end zone with 2:05 remaining cut the deficit to one. However, Houston failed on the two-point conversion and the Cowboys escaped with the win.