CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Matt Schaub led one scoring drive and threw an interception in his first action since breaking his right foot last season, and the Houston Texans beat the Carolina Panthers 26-13 on Saturday night in the preseason opener for both teams.
Schaub completed three passes for 52 yards on Houston's opening drive, including a 22-yard strike on third down the seam to Owen Daniels to set up a field goal.
Houston's next two possessions ended in turnovers when Arian Foster fumbled and Schaub's pass was intercepted by linebacker Jason Phillips on a bad throw over the middle. Playing without his top weapon Andre Johnson, Schaub finished 3 of 6 for 52 yards for Houston (No. 6 in the AP Pro32).
Cam Newton's night also was short and not all that productive for Carolina (No. 20). Newton finished 2 of 6 for 17 yards, and he and the rest of the Carolina starters were taken out with 4:14 left in the first quarter.
Houston's only touchdown of the first half came on 5-foot-5 Trindon Holliday's 90-yard kickoff return in the first quarter.