The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals officially kicked off the new NFL season with the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night, and the Cowboys walked away with the narrow 20-18 victory.
Though none of the star players for either team saw the field in the first preseason game, both quarterbacks stepped up to lead their teams. Blaine Gabbert went 11/14 passing for 185 yards as the Cardinals scored short rushing touchdowns on each of their first two drives, giving them a 15-0 lead.
Kerwynn Williams scores the first TD of the season on this 5-yard run! #BeRedSeeRed #NFL #HallofFameGame pic.twitter.com/rqgXBmVTcL
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) August 4, 2017
However, after the Cowboys settled down, backup quarterback Kellen Moore found his groove. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 182 yards and an interception, but also threw this 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rico Gathers.
Converted basketball player Rico Gathers reels in a 26-yard TD catch from Kellen Moore to put the #Cowboys on the board! #HallofFameGame pic.twitter.com/2WiyCSbypo
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) August 4, 2017
That sparked a run of 17 unanswered points for the Cowboys, capped off by this 14-yard strike from quarterback Cooper Rush to wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu.
Cooper Rush finds Uzoma Nwachukwu for the 14-yard TD to give the #Cowboys the lead! #DallasCowboys #NFL #HallofFameGame pic.twitter.com/R0KqXzd7fV
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) August 4, 2017
The scoring teetered off in the second half as more and more players on the roster bubble saw action, and Dallas held on for the win.
The Cowboys also got good play from backup running back Alfred Morris, who picked up 42 yards on just seven carries in limited action. Wideout Brice Butler showed his big play ability with 78 yards on two catches - including this incredible diving grab - while Gathers finished with three catches for 59 yards and that touchdown.
Running back T.J. Logan was the biggest standout for the Cardinals other than Gabbert, running for 24 yards on four carries He also showed promise as both a punt and kick returner.
Dallas' next preseason game is August 12 at the Los Angeles Rams, while Arizona takes the field the same day at home against the Oakland Raiders.
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