Jacksonville, FL (Sports Network) - With Maurice Jones-Drew, the reigning
rushing champion, continuing his prolonged holdout, the Jacksonville Jaguars
rushed for a pair of touchdowns as they beat the Atlanta Falcons, 24-14,
Thursday at EverBank Field.
Rashad Jennings stepped in and rushed for 34 yards on 11 carries, while Jalen
Parmele finished with six carries for 56 yards and a score and Richard Murphy
chipped in 12 rushes for 44 yards and a touchdown.
Jennings has already been named the starter for the Jaguars season-opener on
Sunday, Sept. 9 when they head to Minnesota to take on the Vikings.
Blaine Gabbert completed 7-of-12 passes for 64 yards, while backup Chad Henne
went 4-of-6 for 106 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Dominique Davis took every snap for the Falcons, going 14-of-24 for 175 yards,
one touchdown and two interceptions, as starter Matt Ryan sat out to prepare
for Atlanta's season opener on Sunday, Sept. 9 on the road against the Kansas
City Chiefs.
Jacquizz Rodgers started in place of Michael Turner, who also watched from the
sidelines, and rushed five times for 24 yards and a touchdown.
The Jaguars got off to a rough starter as Gabbert fumbled on their first play
from scrimmage to give the ball to the Falcons, who quickly scored on their
first play when Rodgers carried the ball five yards into the end zone.
Jacksonville evened things up late in the second as Parmele carried the ball
four times for 48 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown scamper to knot the
game at 7-7.
Henne started the second half for the Jags and lead them the length of the of
the field on a four-play, 99-yard drive, highlighted by a 77-yard touchdown
pass to Kevin Elliot to give Jacksonville a 14-7 lead.
The Falcons answered quickly as Davis found Kevin Cone for a 49-yard scoring
play to knot the game at 14-14.
In the fourth, Josh Scobee drilled a 39-yard field goal after a 13-play drive
stalled late, giving the Jaguars a 17-14 edge.
Jacksonville put the game away late when Murphy took a handoff five yards for
a touchdown to extend the margin to 24-14 with less than four minutes to play.
The Sports Network