T.O.’s debut a Dallas downer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Terrell Owens gave the Dallas Cowboys almost everything they wanted in the season opener: big plays, a touchdown and no surly behavior.

The only thing missing was a victory.

Byron Leftwich threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score, Fred Taylor had 115 combined yards and the Jacksonville Jaguars spoiled Owens’ much-anticipated Dallas debut with a 24-17 win Sunday.

Owens made his presence felt early and late. It was just too early to hurt the Jaguars and too late to help the Cowboys.

He finished with six receptions for 80 yards and a score, but the Jaguars held him without a catch through much of the second half.

Dallas scored on their first two possessions – a touchdown and a field goal – and were looking to make it 17-0 in the second quarter. But Bledsoe overthrew Owens, who was wide open near the goal line.

“Once we let them hang around, we started making mistakes and that’s the story of the game,” said Bledsoe. The Cowboy quarterback was 16 of 33 for 246 yards with three interceptions and was sacked twice.

Shaun Suisham, subbing for injured place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt, missed a 36-yard field goal. The kick bounced off the right upright.

Owens was the catalyst for all three Dallas scores.

“I thought he got us started pretty well early,” Parcells said. “Made a big catch there at the end and gave us another chance. That’s about it. It’s disappointing. It really is.”