Mark Sanchez is a hit in his NFL regular-season debut

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USC’s s Mark Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, threw for 272 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut as the New York Jets defeated the Houston Texans, 24-7, at Houston.

Sanchez was poised and confident from the start, often evading the rush to complete key passes.

His first NFL touchdown came in the second quarter when he found Chansi Stuckey wide open on a 30-yard reception to put the Jets up 10-3.

After the score, television cameras flashed to a smiling Joe Namath, who watched the game from a luxury suite at Reliant Stadium.
Sanchez’s only big mistake came in the fourth quarter. John Busing intercepted his pass and immediately fumbled it.

Houston’s Dominique Barber picked up the ball and ran down the right sideline 48 yards for a touchdown to make it 17-7 with about 12 minutes left in the game.