HOUSTON - Rookie Steve Slaton had two touchdown runs and MarioWilliams had a season-high three sacks and forced a fumble to leadthe Texans to a 30-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Houston'sfirst ever Monday night game.
Slaton had both touchdown runs in the fourth quarter and finishedwith 130 yards on 21 carries. He had only nine carries in the firsthalf and told Coach Gary Kubiak at halftime that he could handlemore.
"I wanted to let him know that if he needed someone to count on,it was me," Slaton said.
Slaton ranks third among rookies with 904 rushing yards thisseason. The Texans (5-7) are impressed the third-round draft pickhas blossomed into such a durable runner.
"He's become a great every-down back," said quarterback SageRosenfels. "He hits the hole quick and he's got great balance. Hehas been a gem for this team."
Jacksonville (4-8), a playoff team last season, lost its fifth insix games with another lackluster performance. The Jaguars had threeturnovers and missed a field goal.
Slaton had a nifty 46-yard catch and run in the third quarterthat got Houston down to the 1. Slaton failed to score on threestraight runs and Houston settled for a 20-yard field goal that madeit 16-3.
"He's really growing up," Kubiak said of the rookie from WestVirginia. "I didn't run the ball enough in the first half to behonest with you. We got a little out of whack play-call wise, andthe kid came up to me at halftime ... here's a rookie, grabs me bythe shirt to say, 'I'm OK. Give me the ball.'
"He reminds me of (Washington Redskins running back Clinton)Portis personality-wise," Kubiak told the Houston Chronicle. "He'sgot a great personality; nothing is too big for him. To watch himget stronger at the end of the game was very impressive."
Slaton is 96 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. He is averaging5 yards per carry and has eight rushing touchdowns and one receivingtouchdown.
"It was great," wide receiver Andre Johnson told the Chronicle."It was a big stage. He wanted the ball, and he went out and ranlike he wanted it.
"So that was great for him. I'm happy for Steve that thishappened on Monday night. He showed people what he can do. He's agreat player. He's going to be a great player for us."
Williams got his ninth sack of the season and first in almost amonth when he took down Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard onthird-and-5 to force a punt late in the second. The second one camein the third when the QB tripped on one of his lineman and got backup to try to get a pass off. Williams yanked him down before hecould get rid of the ball.
"We finally get a chance for the whole world to see us," Williamssaid, "so you've got to take advantage of it."
The top overall pick in the 2006 draft, Williams said he came outwith extra incentive-a chance to show a national television audiencewhat he and the Texans could do.
"I know a lot of people from the East Coast. They're like, 'Whodid y'all play? When did y'all play?' They don't even know what'sgoing on over here, good or bad," said Williams, who has 11 sacksthis season. "For us to finally get a showcase, it's big for us."
Williams played well in his only other night game, making 3 1/2sacks in a Thursday night matchup against Denver last season. Therest of the defense followed Williams' lead, holding the Jaguars to218 yards and a field goal through three quarters.
"The scene was set, there was a lot of intensity," said Williams.
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