Recap: Dallas vs. Tampa Bay
Sports Network | October 26, 2008
Irving, TX (Sports Network) - Roy Williams scored his first touchdown as a Cowboy, and the Dallas defense made a crucial stop in the last minute to give the Cowboys a 13-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Texas Stadium.
Tampa Bay forced a punt late in the fourth, starting on their own 26 with 4:15 to play. Ernest Graham converted a 4th-and-inches to get to the 39, and Jeff Garcia found Ike Hilliard on the next play for a 13 yard gain as the clock ran down to the two minute warning.
Three plays later on 3rd-and-3, Garcia hit Jerramy Stevens for a six-yard gain down to the Cowboys' 35. The Buccaneers faced a 4th-and-4 from the 29, and Garcia threw a perfect pass to Hilliard for six yards.
After a couple short gains, Tampa had 4th-and-5 from the 18. Garcia was hit as he threw, and the ball fell harmlessly to the ground, sealing the victory for the Cowboys.
Brad Johnson completed 19-of-33 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys (5-3), who were coming off two straight losses, including a brutal 34-14 defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Rams. Marion Barber ran for 71 yards on 25 carries, and Terrell Owens led the Cowboys with only 33 receiving yards on five catches.
The game was a defensive battle throughout, as Williams' score marked the only touchdown of the contest. The Buccaneers outgained the Cowboys by a 262-172 margin, and Dallas converted only 3-of-15 third downs, while the Bucs only converted 6-of-17 chances.
Garcia went 28-of-44 passing for 228 yards for the Buccaneers (5-3), who had won two straight games. Graham only managed 42 yards on the ground on 17 attempts, and Antonio Bryant caught seven passes for 46 yards. Matt Bryant tallied all nine Tampa points, making 3-of-4 field goal attempts.
