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Defense, Garrard Help Jacksonville Rebound

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By MARK LONG, The Associated Press

Published: September 17, 2007

JACKSONVILLE - Linebacker Mike Peterson tried to stay out of public eye last week, too embarrassed to be seen around Jacksonville and too upset to defend his defense.

The former University of Florida star bottled up all his emotions and saved them for Atlanta.

Peterson had two of seven sacks on Joey Harrington, stuffed the run and helped the Jaguars rebound from a humbling season opener with a 13-7 victory against the Falcons on Sunday.

Jacksonville's defense was shredded for a franchise-record 282 yards rushing against Tennessee last week. Peterson spent most of the week indoors, fuming as he watched replays.

'Vince Young is Superman now. I've seen all that,' Peterson said. 'Tell them thank you. They had me fired up and it will probably have me fired up the rest of the season.'

Peterson and the defense held the Falcons (0-2) to 82 yards on the ground. Atlanta's biggest problem came on special teams, where Matt Prater missed two field goals. He was wide right from 43 yards in the second quarter and wide right from 26 yards in the third. He is now 1-for-4 on the season.

His second miss would have given the Falcons a 10-3 advantage. Instead, David Garrard drove Jacksonville (1-1) on consecutive scoring drives to put the team ahead for good.

Garrard, like the defense, felt like he proved a little something, too. He finished 17 of 25 for 272 yards with a touchdown, showing the Jaguars are in capable hands after cutting former first-round draft Byron Leftwich a week before the season.

Garrard was seven of eight for 122 yards on the two fourth-quarter scoring drives. He was four of four for 79 yards on the first, capping it with a 14-yard TD pass to Reggie Williams.

Jac-FG Carney 35, 13:30.

Atl-Dunn 4 run (Prater kick), :57.

Fourth Quarter

Jac-R.Williams 14 pass from Garrard (Carney kick), 14:16.

Jac-FG Carney 27, 3:41.

A-61,821.

RUSHING-Atlanta, Dunn 13-50, Norwood 9-30, Harrington 2-2, Pinner 1-0. Jacksonville, Taylor 16-56, Jones-Drew 11-31, Garrard 5-20, G.Jones 2-6.

PASSING-Atlanta, Harrington 12-20-0-200. Jacksonville, Garrard 17-25-0-272.

RECEIVING-Atlanta, R.White 4-81, Crumpler 3-53, Horn 2-34, Jenkins 1-15, Norwood 1-13, Dunn 1-4. Jacksonville, Northcutt 5-75, M.Jones 3-36, R.Williams 2-41, Lewis 2-39, Wilford 1-33, Wrighster 1-18, Taylor 1-11, Jones-Drew 1-10, G.Jones 1-9.

MISSED FIELD GOAL-Atlanta, Prater 43 (WR), 26 (WR).

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