The Scoop
Texans' effort falls short against Colts
Mike Konvicka

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans dug themselves in a hole they couldn't get out of in Sunday's game against NFLdefending champion Indianapolis at Reliant Stadium.

Down 27-10 in the third quarter, a late rally fell short as the Colts held on for a 30-24 win.

Houston got the ball back with only 18 seconds left but could get off only two plays.

"I'm proud of our efforts but we won't take moral victories." said a stern Texans coach Gary Kubiak.

That comment proved that Houston wants to win and won't accept anything less.

"I never heard it this loud in our Reliant Stadium. Our fans were great," added Kubiak.

The Texans made it 30-24 after a Matt Schab 1-yard pass to Vonta Leach with 2:49 left.

Indianapolis took the ensuing kickoff and killed most of the clock as the Texans took their last time out.

Quarterback Peyton Manning was a masterpiece as the Colts converted their first seven third down situations of the game.

He completed 20 of 29 passes for 273 yards. He had one TD pass.

His counterpart Matt Schaubl was 27 of 33 for 236 yards. He had a TD pass and a costly intercpetion in the redzone.

Unlike against Kansas City and Carolina, Houston could never establish a running game.

"We never got in the rhythm of running the ball," said Kubiak.

Houston could muster only 40 yards on the ground. The Colts finished with 92 which came mostly from Joseph Addai.

Before fans had a chance to settle in their seats. Houston's Jerome Mathis returned a second opening kickoff back 84 yards for a TD.

It came after Indianapolis was flagged for a false start on the first kickoff.

The Colts responded quickly and drove 75 yards in 15 plays when Manning connected with Dallas Clark from the three with 6:06 remaining in the first quarter.

Houston came right back and and got a 33-yard field goal by Kris Brown with 14:18 left in the second quarter to put the Texans up 10-7.

Indy responded with 20 unanswered points as the Colts led 27-10 after a Adam Vinateieir field goal in the third quarter.

Houston responded with a Samkon Gado 1 yard run to make it 27-17 in the first minute of the fourth quarter.. Vinatieri booted a 35-yard field goal for a 30-17 Colt lead with 10:40 remaining.

The injury bug bit the Texans hard. Four players went down throughout the game.

Center Steve McKinney tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

Jacoby Jones separated his shoulder, Cedric Killings broke his collar bone and Ahman Green injured his knee.

Andre Johnson had already been on the shelf with a sprained knee.

The Texans have nothing to hang their heads and should be able to regroup and beat winless Atlanta on Sunday.