Monte Kiffin’s defense helps Dallas defeat Miami

Rookie DeVonte Holloman’s 75-yard interception return with a tipped pass keyed the Dallas Cowboys’ 24-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins in the Hall of Fame game Sunday night at Canton, Ohio, that opened the NFL’s exhibition season.

The sixth-round pick from South Carolina was perfectly situated when rookie Chad Bumphis had Matt Moore’s pass go off his hands in the second quarter. It was the biggest play for a Dallas defense switching to a 4-3 alignment under new coordinator Monte Kiffin.

Quarterback Tony Romo, coming off back surgery to remove a cyst, sat out for Dallas. So the Cowboys turned to their ground game — and ground down Miami as few regulars got onto the field.

Miami’s mistakes were decisive. The Dolphins struggled most of the game against Dallas’ new defense masterminded by Kiffin, who designed the Tampa 2 scheme so prevalent throughout the NFL.

Although top running back DeMarco Murray was held out, the Cowboys were dominant on the ground.

Phillip Tanner did the bulk of the early work and finished with 59 yards and a touchdown. Joseph Randle handled the late duty and had 70 yards as Dallas piled up 170 yards rushing.

Cooper was threatened over racial slur

Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper has been sent threatening messages since a video of him making a racial slur became public.

The team said Sunday that Cooper informed the club of the threats and did not know who made them. The team has notified the league’s security department.

Cooper was fined by the Eagles after his slur became known Wednesday. He left the team Friday to seek counseling.

The video of Cooper was taken at a Kenny Chesney concert in June. Cooper apologized profusely Wednesday and Thursday.