Nov. 19 (UPI) — Joe Mixon broke loose for a 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter and never relented, gashing the Dallas Cowboys defense in a convincing Houston Texans triumph.

The Texans running back totaled 153 yards from scrimmage and three scores in the 34-10 victory Monday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He now has 10 rushing scores in his first season with the AFC South franchise.

“It was a great thing to see us play football for four quarters,” Mixon said on the ESPN broadcast. “That took us a long way.”

The Texans, who entered the game with losses in three of their previous four appearances, forced two turnovers, which both led to points. They out-gained the Cowboys 391-388 in total yards.

“The good thing was, we started strong and finished strong,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud told reporters. “That was the message we really wanted this week.”

JOE MIXON TUDDY ON THE OPENING DRIVE

: ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/p622RzoGnT— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 19, 2024

Mixon made a jump cut to his left and sprinted through the Cowboys defense for his long scoring run about two minutes into the game.

Cowboys safety Malik Hooker intercepted Stroud to end the next Texans possession. Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush less than three minutes later.

Mixon proceeded to cap a 10-play, 63-yard Texans drive with a one-yard rushing score for a 14-0 edge. Rush hit wide receiver KaVontae Turpin for a 64-yard score at the start of the second quarter, cutting the deficit in half.

Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn made a 33-yard field goal five minutes later. Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey made a 53-yard attempt 5:55 before halftime, but the Texans still led 17-10 at the break.

Fairbairn made a 29-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. The Texans defense was responsible for the next score, when defensive end Derek Barnett knocked the ball out of Rush’s hand. He later picked up the loose ball and ran into the end zone on a 28-yard touchdown return.

DEREK BARNETT TOUCHDOWN

: ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/TjHVGp4Fv9— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 19, 2024

Mixon found the end zone for a third time with a 1-yard score in the final minutes. That score ended a 6-play, 35-yard drive.

Rush completed 32 of 55 passes for 354 yards, a score and interception in the loss. Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb caught eight passes for 93 yards. Turpin totaled 86 yards and a score on three grabs.

Stroud completed 23 of 34 passes for 257 yards and an interception.

THAT MAN CAN’T BE STOPPED ‼️

: ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/lhB8r6pOt1— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 19, 2024

The Texans (7-4) will host the Tennessee Titans (2-8) on Sunday in Houston. The Dallas Cowboys (3-7) will battle the Washington Commanders (7-4) on Sunday in Landover, Md.