Romo’s return, Prescott’s TDs spark Cowboys to preseason win over Dolphins

Tony Romo returned to live action and backup Dak Prescott threw two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Dallas Cowboys routed Miami 41-14 in a preseason game Friday night at AT&T Stadium.

Unlike their preseason opening loss against the Los Angeles Rams last week, the Cowboys played a complete game against the Dolphins with their defense and special teams making big contributions.

Romo, who hadn’t played in a game since breaking his collarbone on Thanksgiving of last year, started and completed five of six passes for 49 yarrds. However, the rout was jumpstarted by Prescott, who completed 12 of 15 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns and ran three times for 28 yards and two more scores. Alfred Morris rushed for 85 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown and Dan Bailey made two field goals.

The defense had a red zone stop, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Vince Mayle’s blocked punt set up another touchdown.

After a penalty-plagued first possession, the Cowboys (1-1) drove 72 yards for the game’s first score.

Romo completed all three of his passes and Morris closed the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.

After giving up a 55-yard completion to Miami on the ensuring kickoff, the Cowboys made a defensive stand in the red zone that ended with a Ryan Tannehill incompletion on fourth and 5 at the 5.

Prescott replaced Romo on the next Dallas possession and drove the Cowboys to their second score of the game.

The touchdown came on a 28-yard pass from Prescott to Dez Bryant to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter. The touchdown ended a 95-yard drive in which Prescott completed all four of his passes for 76 yards.

The Dolphins trimmed the gap to 14-7 on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to Kenny Stills at the 10:39 mark of the second quarter.

Prescott and the Cowboys continued to click on offense with an unconventional 75-yard touchdown drive. The Cowboys had two touchdowns nullified by penalties and the Dolphins had an interception wiped out by a penalty. In the end, Prescott scored on a 20 yard scramble to push the lead to 21-7 at the 6:32 mark.

However, the Dolphins kept pace with Tannehill throwing a second touchdown to Stills to make it 21-14 with 2:47 left in the first half.

The Cowboys followed with field goals of 51- and 24-yards by Bailey.

A turnover set up the Cowboys’ second field goal.

Miami rookie quarterback Brandon Doughty, on his first snap in place of the injured Matt Moore, was stripped of the ball by Shaneill Jenkins. Cedric Thornton scooped up the ball and ran to the 6.

Four plays later, Bailey added a 24-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 27-14 halftime lead.

Offense came on the ground and through the air. Romo completed four of five passes for 49 yards. Morris had 85 rushing yards on 13 carries and one touchdown.

After a defensive stop to start the third quarter, the Cowboys needed only two plays to score a touchdown.

Prescott threw a 58 yard pass to Brice Butler to the Dolphins’ 1. On the next play, Prescott threw to Butler for the touchdown and a 34-14 lead.

A blocked punt by Mayle set up the Cowboys’ next score.

Six plays after the turnover, Prescott scored on a 1-yard lead as the rout grew to 41-14.

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 10:13 PM with the headline "Romo’s return, Prescott’s TDs spark Cowboys to preseason win over Dolphins."