Irvin’s Return Sparks Cowboys, 17-3

Michael Irvin was more of a decoy than a game-decider in his first game back with the Dallas Cowboys, who beat Arizona with their top-ranked defense and Emmitt Smith’s strong running.

Tony Tolbert led Dallas’ defense with two sacks, and Smith scored two touchdowns and rushed for a season-high 112 yards as the Cowboys outlasted the Cardinals, 17-3, in Irvin’s heavily applauded homecoming.

Dallas evened its record at 3-3, while the Cardinals, who lost their 12th consecutive game to the Cowboys, dropped to 2-4.

“We played like we had the No. 1 defense in the NFL,” Dallas Coach Barry Switzer said. “It dominated the entire day. The defense turned it up.

“I’m not sure if we have our swagger back because I have a limp and don’t know what a swagger is, but we’re starting to play better.”

Irvin, sentenced to four years’ probation for a no-contest plea to drug possession, made his first appearance for the Cowboys since Super Bowl XXX last January. He was suspended five games by the NFL.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about how I would be received by the crowd,” said Irvin, who was cheered by the majority of the sellout Texas Stadium crowd. “It was warm and I do appreciate that.”

Irvin caught five passes for 51 yards, but Aikman missed him on five other occasions.

“I thought Mike did a really nice job, but he knows and we know he is still a little bit rusty,” Aikman said.

Irvin admitted the timing was off, saying, “I expected to have that yesterday. I’m late. But it was a great feeling to be back.”

Smith, hampered by injuries since the season began, scored on touchdown runs of one and 13 yards. Smith has 101 career rushing touchdowns, fifth on the NFL career list.

“I felt great out there today,” Smith said. “The bye week really did me a lot of good. It seemed like all my hurts were healed. We can still get better, but the offensive line is making strides. There is still a lot of work to do.

“We haven’t been as physical as we want to be, and injuries play a big part in that. It also helps that they are spelling me now with Sherman Williams. It keeps me fresher during the game.”

Smith said the distraction of Irvin coming back didn’t bother the team.

“Troy and Mike didn’t connect on a lot of passes, but it helped our offense having him back,” Smith said.

Aikman completed 23 of 37 passes for 199 yards.

Arizona Coach Vince Tobin said the Dallas defense won the day.

“It’s hard to score against them,” Tobin said. “You saw that today. But we played them to a standstill until the fourth quarter. It’s bitterly disappointing not to win. We came to win, not to look good or stay close.”

Arizona quarterback Kent Graham was hassled by the Dallas pass rush, and the Cardinals cracked the NFL’s top defense only for Greg Davis’ 49-yard fourth-quarter field goal. Cornerback Kevin Smith finished off Graham’s day with an interception.

“The referees were unbelievable,” Graham said. “Rob Moore was held six times 20 yards downfield and they never called it.”

Dallas shut out the New York Giants, 27-0, earlier in the season. The Cowboys have not had two shutouts in a season since 1974.

Aikman completed 23 of 37 passes for 199 yards, while Graham was 16 for 31 for 141 yards.