Texans-Cowboys postgame notebook

Cup runneth over: Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Texans owner Bob McNair unveiled a sparkling new Governor's Cup trophy before Saturday's Texans-Cowboys game.
The cup first debuted in 1967 and was awarded to the winner of the Oilers-Cowboys games until 1996. Legend has it that the original cup broke into pieces while being stored in Bud Adams' closet.

In 2002, when the Houston Texans began their inaugural season, they earned custody of a newly created Governor's Cup with a 19-10 victory over Dallas. For four years, the cup resided in the trophy case at Reliant Stadium. It moved to Texas Stadium last year when Houston fell to Dallas.

This season, the Texans were itching to claim the title of "Texas' Team" and proudly display an even newer edition of the Governor's Cup at Reliant Stadium.

With a 28-16 victory over Dallas, the Texans got what they wanted and they got it with swagger and style. In fact, it's the style of play that Texans head coach Gary Kubiak would like to see during the regular season.

"I was excited about the way we came out," Kubiak said. "You want to see the energy of the regular season and in this third preseason game, I think the fact of who we were playing and in this stadium helped create a great atmosphere. Our guys were really juiced up and ready to play. That's a heck of a football team."

The 91-yard dash: In front of the largest preseason crowd ever to fill Reliant Stadium during the preseason, wide receiver Jacoby Jones recorded the longest punt return for a touchdown in Texans preseason history. Jones flew to the end zone for a 91-yard return with 13:01 on the clock in the first quarter, giving Houston its first points of the game.

The rookie's touchdown dash came on the heels of his 80-yard touchdown return in the Texans' last preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals, which got Texans fans, players and coaches thinking they had a playmaker on their hands.

Now all parties know. They do.

Against Dallas, Jones also grabbed his first touchdown reception of the preseason with 19-yard pass from quarterback Matt Schaub.

"It was great to see him do that in the first preseason game, but then when he followed up last week and then this week again with great performances it just shows how mature he is and his confidence level," Schaub said. "It is great to see that we can count him every week"

Big blitz, no problem: Dallas head coach Wade Phillips preaches the blitz on every play of every game, even in the preseason. Schaub knew the pressure was coming. He saw it come at him. He just didn't let it get to him. Schaub finished the game 12-of-16 for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The signal-caller endured one sack early in the game, but bounced back to earn a quarterback rating of 132.6.

He credited the success to the offensive unit that's supporting him.

"They make it easy for me, because I have faith and confidence with the guys up front and backs behind me who protect and get a good pocket so I can get the ball to the runner," Schaub said. "So they are doing a great job getting open and making a play with it after the catch."

Green gets going: Running back Ahman Green had seen limited action and even more limited yardage so far this preseason. All that changed on Saturday. The veteran back broke free for a 46-yard run in the second quarter, which was the team's longest rush of the 2007 preseason and matched the longest in team preseason history.

The Texans' fast-paced offense got Green going…and going, despite the fact that Green wasn't feeling 100 percent.

"Hats off to the coaches and the way they've got us practicing," Green said. "The tempo is quick. Everybody knows that - offensively and defensively. We know that from an offensive standpoint, we have a quick tempo. We get the ball down the field, then back on the line of scrimmage. That keeps the defense very honest and wondering, 'This team is ready to go.' With that tempo that makes us very dangerous."

Injury report: Four Texans did not dress for the game. Fullback Patrick Pass is still day-to-day with a hamstring injury…his fellow fullback, Jon Abbate, was out with the ankle injury he suffered against the Cardinals…defensive end Anthony Weaver is still fighting soreness in the knee he had surgically repaired in the offseason… one Texan suffered a major injury against Dallas. Rookie safety Brandon Harrison left the game in the second quarter after being "dinged in the head"…tackle Kevin Barry has been placed on the injured reserve list with a torn biceps.