IRVING – The drama continues with kicker Mike Vanderjagt.
For the second straight game, Vanderjagt was unable to kick because of a sore groin. The Cowboys may have to keep a kickoff specialist on the regular-season roster.
Vanderjagt said coach Bill Parcells had a stern talk with him before the game Saturday night.
"We didn't hug," Vanderjagt said. "He's frustrated, and he expressed his frustration. ... He's rather annoyed with me."
Vanderjagt, who received a $2.5 million signing bonus as part of a three-year deal in March, said he would have kicked if it were a regular-season game. He went through his pregame routine but did not appear full strength.
Shaun Suisham opened with a 25-yard field goal but closed the first half with a miss from 35 yards. Suisham's three first-half kickoffs all sailed into the end zone with one good for a touchback.
Vanderjagt, who's made his only field goal try, a 21-yarder at Seattle, did not kick during the final week in Oxnard, Calif., because of the injury and was limited this week in practice at Valley Ranch.
Allen at home with San Francisco: Whenever he retires, Larry Allen will be put in the Cowboys' Ring of Honor, but on Saturday night he was playing his third preseason game for San Francisco.
The Cowboys released the 10-time Pro Bowl lineman in the off-season, and he quickly signed with the 49ers. Allen attended Sonoma State, 45 miles north of San Francisco, and graduated from Vintage High School in Napa, Calif.
Allen is wearing No. 71 because No. 73, which he wore with the Cowboys, was retired by San Francisco in honor of Hall of Famer Leo Nomellini, and also in memory of former Cowboy Mark Tuinei.
In the off-season, Allen and Greg Ellis worked out together.
"I was impressed by him," Ellis said. "He was really working at it, running and lifting weights. I was looking at him on film and he's still knocking people off the ball. You can see he's having fun. He looks like he's still got his Cowboys' uniform on."
Opportunities arise: As expected, Terrell Owens missed his third straight preseason game, but for the first time, he was replaced in the starting lineup by Terrance Copper. Undrafted rookie Sam Hurd started the first two games and had seven catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. ... Flozell Adams' calf strain kept him out of Saturday's game, which put rookie Pat McQuistan in the starting lineup. McQuistan, a seventh-round pick, played the first half at left tackle, followed by Rob Petitti.
Nguyen honored: Dat Nguyen was honored at halftime with a framed No. 59 jersey and picture of him during his playing days. Injuries curtailed Nguyen's 2005 season and forced him to retire after seven years with the Cowboys.
DE Coleman leaves with injury: Defensive end Kenyon Coleman was knocked out of the game with 12:39 left in the third quarter after helping on a tackle of Frank Gore. Coleman appeared to get hit from the side by fellow end Jason Hatcher. He was able to walk off the field, but he did not return.
Parcells, Nolan chat: Parcells spoke with 49ers coach Mike Nolan at length before the game.
In 2000 Nolan served as the New York Jets' defensive coordinator when Parcells was general manager. Nolan's father, Dick, was 49ers coach from 1968 to 1975.
Briefly: Rookie tight end Anthony Fasano had his first catch of the preseason. ... Former Cowboys receiver Antonio Bryant returned to Texas Stadium for the first time since he was traded to Cleveland for Quincy Morgan during the 2004 season. Bryant was involved in an incident during an off-season minicamp in 2004 during which he threw a jersey in Parcells' face. He signed with San Francisco as a free agent March 13. ... Receiver LaShaun Ward did not play because of a hamstring strain.
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