Dallas improved to 6-1 on the season yesterday, defeating the San Diego Chargers (3-3) 23-9 at Jack Murphy Stadium last night.
Emmitt Smith was held to his lowest rushing output of the year (68 yards on 22 attempts) despite finding the end zone for two touchdowns on the night.
The Chargers got the ball to start the game and put together a 51-yard drive before Larry Brown intercepted a pass from Gale Gilbert at the Dallas 7-yard line. The elation was short-lived as Troy Aikman was sacked in the end zone for a safety, giving the Chargers a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the game.
After forcing and recovering a fumble, which was recovered by defensive end Shante Carver near midfield, on the ensuing San Diego possession, Aikman and the offense took over, putting together a five-play drive that ended in Smith’s first touchdown of the day. The Cowboys forced their third turnover of the day on the next Chargers drive when Gilbert was picked off by Brock Marion in the end zone.
The Chargers defense stepped up and forced a 3-and-out, but Gilbert was picked off by Clayton Holmes on the first play after the punt, giving Dallas the ball at their own 15-yard line.
Dallas took advantage of the turnover once again as Aikman led the ‘Boys 85 yards down the field and Smith scored from one yard out to increase the Dallas lead to 14-2 late in the first half.
The Chargers forced a Dallas 3-and-out to start the second half and then scored three plays later when running back Ronnie Harmon sprinted 48 yards for a touchdown to make the score 14-9. Dallas responded with another 80-yard, 14-play drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown by Daryl “Moose” Johnston to make it 20-9 in favor of Dallas.
Dallas increased the lead to 23-9 with a 30-yard field goal by Chris Boniol on their first drive of the 4th quarter. After failing to sustain any drive in the final quarter, San Diego had one final chance when Junior Seau recovered a fumble by Sherman Williams with just a few ticks remaining in the game.
Time ran out when Carver recorded the Cowboys’ 6th sack of the night.
Carver was one of two Cowboys to record multiple sacks in the game, with Charles Haley adding 2.5 sacks. Three different Cowboys added interceptions. Aikman went 21-30 for 222 yards on the day.
With a bye next week, Dallas will return to action on October 29 when they travel to the Georgia Dome to take on the Atlanta Falcons, who fell to 4-2 with a 19-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams last night.
