It is hard to believe, but the Cowboys have completed the Oxnard portion of training camp – returning home to host the Colts tonight for their first game of the season at AT&T Stadium. Following this 24-19 victory, the Cowboys will continue training camp at The Star with a lot to like following a win that saw Dak Prescott, Dez Bryant, and most notably Jaylon Smith make their preseason debuts.
Jaylon Smith’s first real action with the Cowboys would have to wait, but not for long as the Cowboys received the opening kickoff and promptly jumped ahead 7-0 with a 95 yard drive orchestrated to perfection by Dak Prescott. Dez Bryant got things rolling quickly with a slant route to move the chains on the first play, and after gains of five, six, and five again by Darren McFadden he was in the end zone from 32 yards out – electrifying Cowboys Nation by finishing physically down the sideline and stretching for the score.
The opening fireworks from Dallas’ offense meant that Rod Marinelli’s defense got to play from ahead early, promptly forcing a three and out with Jaylon Smith making the stop (the first of his career) on third down.
The Cowboys’ first-team offense kept things rolling, as a starting offensive line that featured Chaz Green at LT and Jonathan Cooper at LG made easy work of the Colts’ front to momentarily make us forget about Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension by leading Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, and Rod Smith.
It was Prescott’s connection to last season’s leader in receptions Cole Beasley that got the Cowboys down in the red zone once again, but a McFadden fumble turned the ball over the Colts and ended the night for most of the team’s starters.
Indianapolis went three and out again, but Kellen Moore turned the ball over on his first play after getting hit by former Cowboy Lavar Edwards and fumbling. Edwards returned the fumble for a tying touchdown, and a pair of field goals to either side had this game tied at ten at the half.
This game would hit a lull point until UDFA QB Cooper Rush lifted Kellen Moore late in the third quarter. Rush, who has outperformed Moore in every way this preseason, furthered his case for a roster spot by putting the Cowboys ahead 17-13 with a 19 yard touchdown to rookie Noah Brown.
Rush was a sharp 4-4 on the drive, leading another quick touchdown drive following a Colts punt by firing a three yard scoring strike to UDFA WR Lance Lenoir Jr.
A late Colts touchdown in “garbage time” would not be enough to stop the Cowboys from putting a cherry on top of a night that was successful the second Jaylon Smith stepped out of the tunnel prepared to play, as the offense did not miss a beat with their starters in.
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On the injury front, CB Orlando Scandrick exited and was evaluated for a concussion on the sideline. He did not return to the game after looking confident and flying around the ball without rookies Jourdan Lewis, Chidobe Awuzie, or Xavier Woods on the field.
Be sure to check out tomorrow’s new edition of “Sean’s Scout” for a more in-depth breakdown of what stood out to me from the Cowboys’ performance against the Colts.
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