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Jags 20th: Jaguars Get First Victory

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The Jaguars changed quarterbacks in the fourth quarter in Houston on October 1, 1995. In the process, they changed their fortunes both immediate and in the future.

The expansion Jaguars were 0-4 and appeared headed for a fifth consecutive loss after surrendering a 10-0 first quarter lead to trail 16-10 in the fourth quarter. Head Coach Tom Coughlin pulled veteran quarterback Steve Beuerlein for Mark Brunell in an attempt to revive the offense.

The change didn't pay instant dividends as the offense continued to struggle. The Oilers were playing conservative with their running game trying to protect the lead when defensive end Jeff Lageman stripped the ball from Houston running back Rodney Thomas with just under 2:30 play.

Brunell immediately went to work and put together a five-play drive that ended with Desmond Howard crossing the goal line on a 15-yard strike. Mike Hollis' extra point gave the Jaguars their first-ever fourth quarter lead.

The Jaguars couldn't breathe easy until Oilers kicker Al Del Greco's 52-yard field goal sailed left. Then, the celebration went from the field to the locker room to the team plane as Jacksonville joined only the 1961 Minnesota Vikings and the 1968 Cincinnati Bengals as expansion teams to notch their first victory by Week 5 of their inaugural season.

Brunell finished the game 7-9 for 57 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Coughlin saw enough that afternoon to move Brunell to the starting lineup and get the Jaguars on their way to what would eventually become a very productive passing game … but that was more than a season away.

On that day it was enough to return to Jacksonville with the Jaguars' first victory.

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