Marino Prayer Results in Cowboys’ 17-14 Loss

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys know all about the Hail Mary pass, as delivered by Roger Staubach. Sunday, it was Dan Marino whose prayer was answered.

For the second time this year, Marino threw a desperation pass for a touchdown to end the first half, sparking the Miami Dolphins to a 17-14 victory over the Cowboys.

Marino’s 48-yarder to Andre Brown was called “a great lift” by Miami Coach Don Shula.

“It was what we needed after Dallas played us so tough in the first half,” Shula said. “Brown just has tremendous leaping ability.”

Brown outjumped five defenders for the ball.

It was Miami’s sixth victory in seven games, pushing the Dolphins (7-4) into a tie with Buffalo for the AFC East lead. Dallas (1-10) is suffering through its second worst season in 29 years.

“Oh wow! That’s big,” Shula said when told Buffalo lost.

Sammie Smith’s one-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter provided the winning points but even Dallas Coach Jimmy Johnson admitted Marino’s miracle pass destroyed Dallas’ upset dreams.

“The Hail Mary took a lot out of us,” Johnson said. “We would have been leading, 14-3, at the half, instead it was 14-10. It hurt.

“It’s been a tough season and that’s an example of it. We played tremendous defense. We even sacked Marino twice and not many teams have done that. At least we are getting to the point where we can say one or two plays decide a game. We’re getting closer.”

The victory wasn’t secure until Dallas’ Luis Zendejas missed a 53-yard field goal attempt at the gun.

Dallas built a 14-3 second-period lead on the passing of Troy Aikman, who completed four in a row to set up Broderick Sargent’s one-yard touchdown run. Aikman also threw to Darryl Johnston on a six-yard touchdown pass play.

Pete Stoyanovich kicked a 23-yard field goal for the Dolphins.

Aikman completed 25 of 33 passes for 259 yards; Marino completed 21 of 36 and 255 yards.