OXNARD, Calif. – During the Dallas Cowboys’ off day at training camp in Oxnard today, the coaching staff and players are mentally gearing up for the second pre-season matchup on Saturday vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys and Bengals have met twice in the preseason, with Dallas winning both. During the regular season, the Cowboys and Bengals have gone head-to-head 12 times, with Dallas winning eight of those games, including the last three. The Cowboys average 2.9 touchdowns-per-game against Cincinnati in 12 games, the third highest average against a single opponent in Cowboys history, behind Kansas City (3.0) and Detroit (3.2).
After a 24-21 loss to the 49ers last week, a win would prevent a 0-2 start in preseason. The Cowboys main focus moving ahead to Saturday, is correcting penalties that gave the game to the 49ers in the fourth quarter. Most were accounted for on the defensive side of the ball with holdings and off sides that allowed the 49ers to keep their drive alive.
Head Coach Jason Garrett addressed the penalties stating, “We have to clean up as we go.” The second and third teams are still learning as they get more playing time during preseason, and become more comfortable before the snap.
Many new faces made critical plays last week; lets take a look at the highest individual statistics from Thursday’s first preseason matchup:
Rushing
Bo Scarbrough – 9 attempts, 33 yards, 3.7 average, and one touchdown.
Rod Smith – 8 attempts, 32 yards, and a 4.0 average.
Receiving
Marchie Murdock – 2 receptions, 36 yards, and an 18.0 average.
MeKale McKay – 2 receptions, 27 yards, and a 13.5 average.
Tavon Austin – 2 receptions, 25 yards, and a 12.5 average.
Passing
Cooper Rush – 23 attempts, 15 completions, 145 yards, one touchdown, and a 65.2 percentage.
Mike White – 11 attempts, 6 completions, 63 yards, and a 54.5 percentage.
Dak Prescott – 3 attempts, 3 completions, 39 yards, and a perfect 100.0 percentage.
Interceptions
Joe Thomas – No.1, 18 yards.
Duke Thomas – No. 1, 10 yards.
Tackles
Brian Price – 3 solo, and 2 assists.
Joe Thomas – 3 solo, and 2 assists.
Leighton Vander Esch – 4 solo
QB Pressures
Taco Charlton – 2
DeMarcus Lawrence- 1
Justin March-Lillard – 1
Forced Fumbles/Fumble Recoveries
Charles Tapper – 1
Special Teams
Tackles:
Kavon Frazier – 1 solo
Marqueston Huff – 1 solo
Jourdan Lewis – 1 solo
There are three preseason games left before the final 53-man roster will be released prior to the start of the regular season. The players above on the second and third teams are making the effort to secure a place on the final roster for the Dallas Cowboys. Each of these three games is critical to evaluate each player’s performance on the field, and after last week’s game, the Cowboys are in the right direction with solid depth charts.
