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CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The move to Ty Detmer backfired for rookie coach Marty Mornhinweg. Detmer threw seven interceptions -- one shy of tying an NFL record -- and rookie James Jackson rushed for 124 yards as the Cleveland Browns rolled to a 24-14 victory over the Detroit Lions, giving coach Butch Davis his first NFL win. After starting quarterback Charlie Batch struggled in a season-opening 28-6 loss at Green Bay, Mornhinweg made the switch to Detmer. He considered reversing his decision during the second half. "I had some discussions with Detmer on that exact situation and I decided to keep him in the football game," Mornhinweg said. "Typically, I will let a man finish the football game, especially if we have a chance to win." Less than a month ago, Detmer was a member of the Cleveland Browns. But on Sunday, he was humiliated by his former team. The 1990 Heisman Trophy winner completed 22-of-42 passes for 212 yards. The Lions failed to overcome Detmer's interceptions or their 15 penalties for 115 yards. "The crazy thing about it is that with all the turnovers and all the penalties we had, we were still battling and fighting to get back in the game," Mornhinweg said. Jackson, a third-round pick, carried the ball 31 times and became the first Browns player to run for more than 100 yards in a game since December 17, 1995, when Earnest Byner gained 121 against Cincinnati. "It wasn't really the game plan coming into today, but it developed as the game unfolded," Jackson said of his workload. "We wanted to do a great job running, but I really didn't think I'd get 31 carries." Rookie cornerback Anthony Henry collected three of the franchise-record tying seven interceptions. The defense matched the mark set on December 11, 1960, when Art Modell was in the crowd contemplating the purchase of the original Cleveland franchise. "Playing against Detmer worked to our advantage," Browns cornerback Daylon McCutcheon said. "We know what routes he throws well. The way he tries to look off certain reads and stuff like that." McCutcheon, who registered five tackles, intercepted a pass from Detmer in the fourth quarter, but Henry was whistled for illegal contact, giving Detroit an automatic first down. "I was just trying to reroute the receiver when it happened," Henry said. "I guess I just had my hands on him too long." However, Detmer threw his seventh interception 62 seconds later. "He was very loose with the football and tried to create the big play," Mornhinweg said. Tim Couch fired three touchdown strikes, connecting on 12-of-20 passes for 138 yards with a pair of interceptions. Making effective use of play-action passes, Couch hit receiver Kevin Johnson in the end zone with a four-yard strike in the first quarter and found Shaun O'Hara with a two-yard pass on a tackle-eligible play in the second to give the Browns a 14-0 advantage at the half. "I think Tim made some really good plays," said Browns coach Butch Davis, who collected his first NFL victory. "He is coming along and making himself better every single week. He is developing some good practice and study habits. It is really rewarding for a player to see all of his hardwork pay off on Sunday." Defensive end Robert Porcher sacked Couch with 8:25 left in the first half to move into first place on the Lions' all-time list. His two sacks on Sunday increased his career tally to 77 1/2. Couch hit tight end Rickey Dudley for a 19-yard gain to spark Cleveland's seven-play, 57-yard drive for the opening score. However, Todd Lyght was flagged for a defensive pass interference penalty on 3rd-and-8 and Terry Fair committed a personal foul on the ensuing play. The Lions cornerbacks helped Cleveland advance to the Detroit 7, setting up Johnson's score. Detroit's most effective offensive weapon proved to be veteran receiver Johnnie Morton, who had six receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown that reduced the Lions' deficit to 24-14. Morton began the final quarter with a 26-yard reception. Detmer went right back to the third leading receiver in franchise history for a 24-yard pass that advanced them to the Cleveland 24. "If we lose a couple of battles, you just can't give up and lose the war," Morton said. "The important thing now is to look ahead, fix what is wrong and gain some confidence, especially on offense. We just aren't executing." Five plays later, Morton made a diving catch in the right side of the end zone.
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