Preseason recap: Cowboys vs. Colts

By Lucas Anderson

In a game where the projected first team personnel started the game, the offense picked up right where they left off last year; firing on all cylinders. On the first drive of the game, Dak Prescott was in midseason form taking the offense ninety-five yards on seven plays. Prescott went to Dez Bryant early and often on this drive connecting on his first pass of the game for a catch and run of twenty-three yards. Dak finished the drive completing all four of his passes as well as a thirty-two-yard strike to Dez for a touchdown. Dak’s second drive was equally as impressive as he moved the offense down the field with surgical precision, but the drive was derailed when veteran running back, Darren McFadden, fumbled inside the red zone. Ultimately, Prescott showed no signs of a sophomore slump as he looked poised in the pocket as well as continuing to make good decisions with the football. Dak finished the game completing seven passes in eight attempts as well as throwing for one hundred and six yards and a touchdown.

After Dak’s impressive start, Kellen Moore entered the game. Moore continued to struggle as he has throughout this preseason. Moore was pressured on the second play of his opening drive and fumbled, which was returned by the Colts for a touchdown. The game didn’t get any easier for the Cowboys’ backup as he finished the night completing only ten passes in twenty-one attempts, as well as passing for one hundred and thirty-one yards and no touchdowns.

Cooper Rush continues to impress, picking up where he left off after a strong outing against the Rams. He started the game sharp, as he completed all four pass attempts as well as capping the drive off with a touchdown to rookie wide receiver, Noah Brown. Rush’s second drive was equally impressive as he led the offense seventy-six yards, ending the drive on a short three-yard pass to undrafted free agent Lance Lenoir. This drive was also helped by a very talented Rod Smith, who has shown consistent signs of explosiveness, strength and vision while running in between the tackles. Smith continues to impress and I will be shocked if he doesn’t make the 53-man roster. Rush finished the night completing eight of nine passes for ninety-two yards and two touchdowns. Rush continues to give the Cowboys a reason to carry three quarterbacks with his stellar play, as well as drawing a comparison to Tony Romo from future Hall of Fame tight end, Jason Witten.

Defensively, all eyes were on Jaylon Smith. After the Cowboys took him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft after tearing his ACL and MCL as well as suffering ligament damage, his debut has been highly anticipated amongst Cowboy fans.  Smith is a sight to behold on the field, as his utter size is shocking. Smith showed good instincts and speed on the field as he recorded his first NFL tackle, stopping Colts tight end Jack Doyle on third down to force the Colts offense to punt. Smith was pumped, and rightfully so, and celebrated accordingly with his famous “Swipe”. It has been a long time coming for Smith, and the future is bright for the young linebacker.

​The Colts scored a touchdown late in the fourth, but failed to convert on the two-point conversion ending all hopes of a comeback and sealing the Cowboys victory, pushing their record to two wins and a loss throughout the preseason.