SHREVEPORT, La.-- Drew Bledsoe lobbed two passes into the end zone and saw his receivers make terrific catches on both in his preseason debut for the Dallas Cowboys.

(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (25) runs for a couple of yards in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys defense Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, during their preseason football game in Shreveport, La.

Neither play, however, was made by the receiver everyone is waiting to see him throw to -- Terrell Owens.

Terry Glenn reached around his defender's head and made a one-handed touchdown catch on Bledsoe's first lob, then Sam Hurd fought off his defender for another touchdown, helping the Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints 30-7 Monday night.

Bledsoe went 12-of-16 for 156 yards, leading Dallas to scores on three of four drives, and backup Tony Romo went 6-of-8 for 138 yards and also put up points on three of four drives. His best play was waiting out a blitz then throwing a 48-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin.

The Cowboys also saw their first-team defense shut out the Saints' starters. New Orleans didn't even get a first down on its first three series.

This was the first NFL game in Shreveport since local product Terry Bradshaw brought the Pittsburgh Steelers to play the Boston Patriots in 1970 and this time the returning star was Saints running back Deuce McAllister, who was playing his first game since a knee injury early last season. He gained eight yards on two carries.

Reggie Bush spiced things up with a nine-yard run and an 11-yard gain on a third-and-2 screen, on the final drive of the first half. He finished with seven yards on four carries and 14 yards on two receptions. Quarterback Drew Brees was 7-of-12 for 67 yards. Backup Todd Bouman was 13-of-16 for 117 yards.

Jamal Branch had the lone score for New Orleans, a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

Owens was in Dallas, presumably watching, because of a hamstring injury that kept him on the sideline more than the practice field during training camp. With coach Bill Parcells not letting him play against the Saints -- and before a Monday night cable television audience -- his next chance is Saturday night at home against San Francisco, although even that is iffy.

"The main thing is it is not firing," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "He needs to get to a point where it fires."

Bledsoe missed the preseason opener so Romo could get all the snaps, a move that's led to growing speculation of a potential quarterback controversy. Bledsoe did his part to solidify his spot with crisp passes and poise in the pocket, save for an 8-yard loss on a sack during his only non-scoring drive. He also showed great timing with Glenn (four catches, 71 yards) and Hurd (three, 30).

"I was standing out there with him visiting and he said, 'Jerry, I'm your man,"' Jones said.

Romo did his part to keep alive the controversy, even if he mostly faced the Saints' backups.

Romo opened by driving for a field goal, then lost a fumble on a sack. He redeemed himself on his next series with the TD pass to Austin, then set up another field goal.

Dallas' new kicker, Mike Vanderjagt, missed the game because of a strained groin. Instead, Shaun Suisham hit field goals of 24 and 42 yards, and Tyler Fredrickson made a 49-yarder.

Saints rookie coach Sean Payton worked for Parcells in Dallas the last three seasons, but this wasn't much of a battle of wits. They play a game that counts against each other Dec. 10 in Texas Stadium.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)