The Norman Transcript

National Sports

Discussion

November 23, 2012

Cowboys can’t rally

By Schuyler Dixon Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas — Robert Griffin III raised his fists, took a knee for a quick prayer, jumped up and pointed to the sky.

That’s the routine on touchdown passes for the Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor, and he got to do it four times in his impressive return to Texas.

Griffin threw for 311 yards and Washington built a huge halftime lead against Dallas before holding on for a 38-31 victory that conjured memories for some of a rally that helped make Cowboys vs. Redskins on Thanksgiving famous.

“He’s kind of like ‘Cool Hand Luke,”’ Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said. “He doesn’t get too upset about anything.”

Griffin made the Cowboys look like an overmatched college team in the second quarter, throwing for three scores in Washington’s first 28-point quarter in 13 years as the Redskins (5-6) built a 28-3 halftime lead.

After Tony Romo threw the longest touchdown of his career — an 85-yarder to Dez Bryant late in the third quarter — Griffin answered by becoming the first Redskins quarterback with four touchdown passes in consecutive games.

And finally, when the Cowboys got within a touchdown and really had people thinking back to Clint Longley’s miracle TD to Drew Pearson in the final seconds of a one-point Dallas victory over Washington on Thanksgiving in 1974, Griffin calmly led the Redskins on a clock-killing drive to a field goal and a 38-28 lead in his first pro game in Texas since his sparkling run at Baylor.

“Anytime you have a guy like him, you never worry about him,” said Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who set up a first-half score with an interception. “You worry about the guys around him being able to keep up with the pace.”

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
National Sports
  • Orb favored to take Preakness, set up Triple Crown try

    BALTIMORE — Everything’s a go for Orb. The Kentucky Derby winner was in a playful mood the day before the Preakness, making faces for photographers between nibbles of grass outside his stall at Pimlico Race Course....

    May 18, 2013

  • Trio has Grizz in Western finals

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Miami Heat have LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Spurs have dominated for years with the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Now the Memphis Grizzlies, who traded their leading scorer in ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Cards hold off Brewers

    ST. LOUIS — David Freese waited a long time for this curtain call. He was impressed with the patience of St. Louis’ fans....

    May 18, 2013

  • Paul Hornung looks to score Preakness win

    BALTIMORE — Former Green Bay Packers great Paul Hornung is looking to pull an upset in the Preakness with his 3-year-old colt Titletown Five — named for the number of NFL titles won by the Packers when Hornung played for them....

    May 18, 2013

  • Bradley gets course-record 60 at Nelson

    IRVING, Texas — Keegan Bradley had no thoughts of a course record, or the possibility of a 59, after consecutive bogeys in the middle of his opening round at the Byron Nelson Championship. Until his 136-yard wedge shot on his final hole ...

    May 17, 2013

  • Sanchez is just fine with QBcompetition

    FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Mark Sanchez understands the New York Jets’ starting quarterback job is still up for grabs. That doesn’t mean he expects the final result to be anything different: with him under center leading the team every Sunday....

    May 17, 2013

  • Weeden wants to be ‘the guy’ for Cleveland

    BEREA, Ohio — The way Brandon Weeden sees it, nothing’s changed. He’s still Cleveland’s starter. And he plans to keep it that way....

    May 17, 2013

  • Knicks still kicking

    NEW YORK — Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points to help the New York Knicks stay alive in the Eastern Conference semifinals with an 85-75 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 on Thursday night....

    May 17, 2013

  • Without Rose, Bulls fight to end

    DEERFIELD, Ill. — The next time he suits up for a game, there’s a good chance Derrick Rose will actually be in a uniform and not in a jacket and slacks. That moment can’t come soon enough for the Chicago Bulls. They got through an entire ...

    May 17, 2013

  • Noel’s rehab ahead of schedule

    CHICAGO — A telling fact about this year’s NBA draft class might be that the potential No. 1 pick will be unavailable to start the 2013-14 season while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament....

    May 17, 2013