8B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 10,2007
» NFL
Williams finally shows up for Texans
Last year's first round pick scores on fumble as Houston dominates Chiefs
BY KRISTIE RIEKEN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Mario Williams smiled broadly, clutched his football and breezed into the room.
After a year of carrying the burden of Houston's seemingly inexplicable decision to draft him, the 6-foot-7 player seemed to stand a little taller when it was time to talk about Sunday's game.
Houston Texans defensive end Mario Williams, right, sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard, center, during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday in Houston. The Texans beat the Chiefs, 20-3.
Last year's top pick finally had his breakout game, returning a fumble for a touchdown and finishing with five tackles, including two sacks, to help the Houston Texans to a 20-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
"There's so much more," Williams said. "Not just me — as a defense. There's a lot of things we did, and a lot we could do better. Today was just a start. Hopefully, we can keep going that way."
It was Houston's first win in an opener since 2003. It's also the first time in franchise history the team has won three games in a row, dating to the end of last year.
Fletcher knocked the ball out of Kris Wilson's hands and Williams recovered it. The defensive end got up and rumbled 38 yards for the touchdown. He kept the ball from that play and held onto it long after the game had ended.
The Texans led 10-0 when Jamar
DeMeco Ryans jumped on Williams to congratulate him after the score. It was a change from last season, when Williams endured endless criticism because the Texans passed on Reggie Bush and Vince Young to get him. Kansas City challenged the ruling of a fumble, but the call was upheld.
Asked if a game like this helps take pressure off him, Williams didn't address it.
"I don't really feel like I'm under any pressure," he said. "When you look at it, the pressure applied from critics and media and whatever, I'm always behind anyway, I was drafted No. 1, but I was never really whoever else you might try to compare me to."
Williams also got a hearty laugh when someone pointed out that he has more touchdowns than Bush this year.
"I didn't think about that," Williams said. "There you go."
Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, the backup to Michael Vick for three years in Atlanta, had a successful, even if a bit inconsistent, debut for
his new team. He was 16-of-22 for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Houston's Andre Johnson caught seven passes for 142 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown grab.
SOCCER (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
shouted words of encouragement to their teammates. With only one goal scored going into the fifth game of the season, the encouragement factor isn't the only thing the team needs.
"I challenged all the upperclassmen, and said you know, you guys need to be the ones and tell us where we need to be going. I'm not really sure what they're waiting for," Francis said.
SMU tallied up 10 fouls during the 90-minute match, and Kansas totaled only four. Even so, Francis said he didn't think the Mustangs were any more violent than any of the other teams Kansas has played this season.
SMU scored its first goal during the first half, and the second during the last seconds of play. SMU's Kristin
Medeiros wrestled the ball away from senior goalkeeper Colleen Quinn and managed to slip it by her and into the net.
Clearly ready to put losing behind them, Kansas is looking forward to its next game on Friday. The Jayhawks will play the Portland Pilots, who are ranked no. 1 in the country, on the road.
Francis said the team wouldn't have any pressure during the game, because no one expected the Jayhawks to beat the Pilots.
"We chose to do the tough schedule. I think it's going to be good for the team. Hopefully, we'll regroup and bounce back," he said.
Edited by Luke Morris
Sarah Leonard/KANSAN
The Kansas soccer team is *hoping* to come back from its recent losses. The team lost to Southern Methodist on Sunday, 0-2.
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NFL Scores and Stats
San Diego 14, Chicago 3
Indianapolis 41, New Orleans 10 (Thursday)
Green Bay 16, Philadelphia 13
Denver 15, Buffalo 14
Washington 16, Miami 13 (OT)
New England 38, NY Jets 14
Detroit 36, Oakland 21
Seattle 20. Tampa Bay 6
Titans 13, Jaguars 10
Pittsburgh 34, Cleveland 7
Minnesota 24, Atlanta 3
Game two looked similar to game one, as Kansas found itself down 10-7 early. But Kansas would go on an eight-to-five run to tie the game at 15, and another Kaiser kill gave Kansas a 16-15 lead. Kansas held onto the lead from there and claimed a 30-24 victory.
Top Performers Passing:
Carolina 27, St. Louis 13
Tony Romo, Dal, 345 yds, 4 TD,
1 Int
Dallas 45,NY Giants 35
"It ites like every game we've played this year we've never had the better start," Brown said. "It's definitely something we need to work on going into Big 12 games."
Josh McCown, Oak, 313 yds., 2 TDs, 2 Ints
Kansas fell behind 6-3 in game one, but the Jayhawks rebounded, and tied the game at 7-7 on a Jenna Kaiser kill. Kansas cruised from there, winning 23 of the next 30 points. Kansas finished off game one on a Mahoney kill assisted by sophomore setter Katie Martincich.
Receiving:
Anna Faltermier/KANSAN
Kansas plays host to Kansas State on Wednesday at the HoreiSi Family Athletics Center. It will be the Big 12 opener for both schools. Kansas split two games with Kansas State a year ago, winning 3-1 at home, while losing 3-0 in Manhattan.
Rushing:
Chris Brown, Tenn, 175 yds.
Travis Henry, Den, 139 yds.
Joseph Addal, Ind, 118 yds., 1 TD.
Recruitment
Jay Cutler, Den, 304 yds., 1 TD,
1 Int
Randy Moss, NE, 183 yds., 1 TD
Antwuan Randle EI, Wash, 162 yds.
Plaxico Burress, NYG, 144 yds, 3
TDs
tallying 23 assists, five kills, and four digs against Morehead State. Senior Caitlin Mahoney and junior Savannah Noyes joined Brown on the Jayhawk Classic all-tournament team.
Senior middle blocker/right side Caitlin Mahoney goes up for a hit during the game against St. Peter's Friday afternoon at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center. Kansas swept St. Peter's, winning three matches in a row. The game was the first for Kansas as part of the Jayhawk Classic Tournament. Kansas went on to the tournament.
Edited by Luke Morris
VOLLEYBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
After three games in two days, Kansas' injury report continued to grow. Junior Natalie Uhart missed her fourth consecutive match with an undisclosed injury. Uhart missed all of last season with a knee injury. Coach Ray Bechard said she was day-to-day and the training staff would continue to evaluate her progress. Senior Emily Brown played all weekend on a sore ankle. Freshman Jenna Isaaker played the Morehead State game with a special knee brace, and freshman Melissa Townshend played all weekend with her wrist taped.
Two wins on Friday
Injuries take a toll
Kansas defeated St. Peter's and Wyoming on Friday, a day that included the longest game in Kansas Volleyball history. Wyoming edged Kansas 40-38 in game one of the match on Friday night. Kansas went on to defeat Wyoming 3-2 in five games.
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