Last-second FG lifts Texans over Colts

HOUSTON (AP) It doesn't take a Heisman Trophy winner to run through the Colts' defense. But on Sunday it certainly made it easier. Ron Dayne, who won the award in 1999, had a career-high 153 yards

Sunday, December 24th 2006, 3:12 pm

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) It doesn't take a Heisman Trophy winner to run through the Colts' defense. But on Sunday it certainly made it easier. Ron Dayne, who won the award in 1999, had a career-high 153 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns, and Kris Brown kicked the winning 48-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Houston Texans their first win over Indianapolis, 27-24.

The loss denied the AFC South champions the chance to clinch a 1st-round playoff bye.

It was the first time Dayne had gained 100 yards since September 2001 with the Giants.

The Texans (5-10) used Dayne and rookie Chris Taylor to eat up the clock and exploit the Colts' suspect run defense, which is ranked last in the league, while taking pressure off David Carr and the struggling passing game. The win broke a nine-game losing streak to the Colts (11-4).

The performance capped a span of four straight solid games in which Dayne had 429 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns.

Houston led through most of the game, until Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison connected for their second touchdown of the game, this one a 7-yard pass that tied it a 24-24 with 2:41 remaining.

Carr and the Texans then engineered a six-play, 31-yard drive that ended with Brown's winner.

Dayne scored on touchdown runs of 3 and 6 yards on Houston's first two drives, and fullback Vonta Leach added a touchdown just before halftime. The Texans added a 42-yard field goal by Brown to stretch their lead to 24-17 in the 4th quarter.