HOUSTON -- Brian Hoyer made the most of his limited opportunity Saturday night.
Hoyer threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Cecil Shorts III on Houston's first drive in the Texans' 23-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason opener for both teams.
Competing with Ryan Mallett for the starting job, Hoyer also connected with DeAndre Hopkins for a 2-point conversion to give the Texans an 8-0 lead.
But Texans coach Bill O'Brien wouldn't provide any details on how the competition was shaping up, but did say that Mallett will start the next game.
"They were consistent, the calls were made properly," coach Bill O'Brien said. "We had a few things here and there, but as far as operation of the offense for the first game out, I thought they did a decent job."
Hoyer, who signed with Houston in the offseason after starting for Cleveland most of last year, finished 2 for 4 for 67 yards.
"It was more just a new fresh start for me and you want to go out and put your best foot forward, so I think it was just that for me," he said.
Mallett completed his first eight passes and was 10 of 11 for 90 yards, but the Texans didn't score on any of his four possessions.
"I felt good," Mallett said. "We were moving the ball. We knew what we were doing ... we've just got to improve on that and get better for next week."
Colin Kaepernick failed to move the offense on his only drive, going 1 for 3 for 14 yards before a punt.
Mallett took over for Houston's second drive and moved the Texans down to the 1 before the offense stalled. Houston had eight chances to score after that thanks to a pass interference call, but couldn't convert.
"You've got to score points there," Mallett said.
Blaine Gabbert was 8 of 11 for 86 yards and a touchdown for San Francisco.
Former Australian professional rugby player Jarryd Hayne, who was playing in his first NFL game, had a 53-yard run early in the second quarter. Hayne, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in March, burst through the line before juking a defender and dashing to the 13.
"He can play in space," San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula said. "He's a premier athlete in the world in space."
Gabbert found Garrett Celek two plays later on a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 8-7.
Jaelen Strong, a rookie third-round pick, caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tom Savage to give Houston a 15-10 lead early in the third quarter.
Texans linebacker Jason Ankrah sacked rookie Dylan Thompson in the end zone for a safety to extend the lead to 17-10 later in the third.
Houston's Alfred Blue had nine carries for 59 yards, highlighted by a 32-yard trot in the first quarter. He'll likely start for the Texans with Arian Foster out indefinitely after groin surgery last week.
Randy Bullock added two 41-yard field goals for Houston in the fourth quarter.
Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press
