Rams' Gurley has his longest run of season on 24-yard TD, but Dolphins limit him in second half

1/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff leaves the field after a 14-10 defeat to the Dolphins in his first start as a pro.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

2/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff is helped off the turf by a teammate after he was knocked down by a Miami defensive lineman during the third quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

3/30

-Rams quarterabck Jared Goff is helped to his feet after being knocked down.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

4/30

Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi is tackeled by Rams Alec Ogletree in the 1st quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

5/30

Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry pushes his way into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown catch against the Rams in the fourth quarter. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

6/30

Rams cornerback E.J. Gaines breaks up a long pass to Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker during the third quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

7/30

Rams tight end Lance Kendricks fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso for a turnover in the third quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

8/30

Rams safety TJ McDonald tackles Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi for a short gain in the first quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

9/30

Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley knocks Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill to the ground while reaching around lineman Jermon Bushrod for a sack in the fourth quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

10/30

Rams safety T.J. McDonald can’t make the interception as Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills puts the hit on him in the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

11/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff dives for a first down as Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso tries to slow him down during a fourth-quarter drive. The play was nullified by a penalty against the Rams.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

12/30

Rams safety Mark Barron tackles Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi during a third-quarter play.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

13/30

Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson, left, and defensive lineman Dominique Easley celebrate after a sack of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the fourth quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

14/30

Rams running back Todd Gurley is tackeled by Dolphins linebacker Neville Hewitt in the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

15/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff scrambles from the Dolphins’ pressure during the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

16/30

With the rain coming down, Rams quarterback Jared Goff looks for a receiver against the Dolphins in the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

17/30

Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso grabs the facemask of Rams running back Todd Gurley during the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

18/30

Rams safety Maurice Alexander makes an interception in front of Dolphins receiver DeVante Parkerduring the third quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

19/30

Rams receiver Kenny Britt battles Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell for a pass that fell incomplete during the second quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

20/30

Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker catches a nine-yard touchdown pass against Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson with 36 seconds left in the game for what proved to be the winning score.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

21/30

Miami’s newly renovated stadium created curiosity, and the team’s performance at Hard Rock Stadium kept the fans coming back. Miami’s only losses at home this season have been to the Titans and the Patriots, which is an improvement on last year’s 3-4 record in Miami Gardens, and their 4-4 record in games played in South Florida in 2014. This season has been proof that if you win, fans will come.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

22/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Dolphins defensive linemen Cameron Wake, right, and Ndamukong Suh during the second quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

23/30

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher cheers Tavon Austin and Todd Gurley after the running back scored a first quarter touchdown.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

24/30

Rams running back Todd Gurley lunges into the end zone for a touchdown as Dolphins safety Michael Thomas tries to stop him in the first quarter.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

25/30

Rams defensive end William Hayes knocks the ball from the hands of Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi, who recovered the fumble during second quarter action. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

26/30

Rams running back Benny Cunningham tries to fend off Dolphins linebacker Spencer Paysinger for a short gain.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

27/30

Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi is upended by Rams safety Maurice Alexander after a short gain in the second quarter.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

28/30

Rams quarterback Jared Goff runs on to the field as the starting quarterback for the first time in his pro career against the Miami Dolphins.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

29/30

Rams rookie and new starting quarterback Jared Goff walks through the tunnel to take the field.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

30/30

Rams players head to the field from the locker room for warmups nearly an hour before taking on the Miami Dolphins.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

By Lindsey Thiry

Nov. 20, 2016 7:45 PM PT

Todd Gurley took a handoff from Jared Goff, cut through a hole on the right side of the line, ran 24 yards and then lunged over the pylon for a Rams touchdown.

It was a glimpse of the Gurley who won the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year award last season, not the back who has struggled along with the Rams’ offense this season.

Gurley’s dash to the end zone was his longest run of the season and the Rams’ only touchdown in Sunday’s 14-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins at the Coliseum.

“The O-line did a great job, [Cory] Harkey had a hell of a block and those guys did the work and just let me run,” Gurley said after the game.

Gurley rushed for 76 yards on 20 carries in Goff’s first start, but had more success in the first half when he ran for 41 yards on seven carries.

Coach Jeff Fisher said it was a continuing challenge to get Gurley carries because of the offense’s inability to stay on the field and convert third downs. They succeeded just twice on 13 third downs against the Miami defense.

“I thought Todd played really hard,” Fisher said. “He made some plays and it’s, again, it’s getting him the carries.”

Gurley also broke an 18-yard run, which matched his previous season long.

Bill Plaschke, Lindsey Thiry and Gary Klein break down the Rams’ 14-10 loss to the Dolphins in rookie quarterback Jared Goff’s regular-season debut.

“He was doing what he has been doing for his whole life,” Goff said, “just running the ball well.”

But it was Gurley’s touchdown run that got Rams fans out of their seats.

“Everything was just going, we was just doing our job, executing and, like I said, every week just beating your guy one-on-one at the end of the day,” said Gurley, who fended off safety Michael Thomas to reach the goal line.

Gurley has rushed for 591 yards and four touchdowns this season, and said that more consecutive carries could help the run game.

“Obviously for us, for me and the offensive line, just love getting back-to-back carries and good things will come and just get a feel for the game,” he said.

lindsey.thiry@latimes.com

Twitter: @LindseyThiry

Rams’ Gurley has his longest run of season on 24-yard TD, but Dolphins limit him in second half

More to Read

More From the Los Angeles Times