Sports Update Monday: Dolphins Lose Big Again, ‘Canes Can’t Stop Nebraska & Winston-less Noles Prevail
Dolphins Embarrassed by Injury Plagued Chiefs at Home
Ryan Tannehill wasn’t nearly good enough. Again. And the Dolphins lost by 19 points. Again. But that’s only half the story of Sunday’s 34-15 shellacking at the hands of the Chiefs, who handed the Dolphins their second blowout loss in a row. The defense, supposedly the strength of the team, was exposed through the air and on the ground. Miami (1-2) has scored just 13 points in the first half of games this season. As a result, the Dolphins wake up Monday alone in the basement of the AFC East. The Chiefs, meanwhile, won for the first time in three games. Sunday marked Tannehill’s fifth consecutive uninspiring game, dating back to 2013. He completed 21 of 43 passes for 205 yards; his lone touchdown came on a 1-yard hookup with Brian Hartline early in the third quarter. Tannehill is on pace for career-lows in completion percentage (56.5), passer rating (74.1) and yards per attempt (5.0). And yet, Philbin said he doesn’t believe his quarterback has regressed in his third season.
‘Canes Mopped on Defense by Rival Nebraska
The University of Miami came into Nebraska on Saturday with a strong rushing defense and even stronger resolve for a signature win over a top-25 team. But then the Hurricanes met Heisman hopeful running back Ameer Abdullah. Even a brick wall might have trouble stopping him. Abdullah rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries – his second 200-plus-yard rushing performance this season – to lead the No. 24 Cornhuskers to a 41-31 win in a physical, unfriendly game that at one point in the third quarter dissolved into an on-field scuffle. The Canes return home Saturday to play Duke at 7:30 p.m. The Blue Devils are 4-0 after defeating Tulane 47-13 on Saturday in Durham.
Florida State Stays Undefeated Despite QB Winston’s Suspension
It was a very weird week for the Florida State Seminoles, with Jameis Winston getting suspended for a half, and then for the entire game. FSU didn’t start off very well, but they got progressively better throughout the game. Florida State’s replacement for Winston looked rough early, missing open targets, hesitating, forcing passes and even running past the line of scrimmage and then throwing the football. Coming out of the half, FSU had an answer, going 68 yards on nine plays for the touchdown. The game was tied at 17, with a chance to kick a field goal for the win with under two minutes left, Clemson’s running back fumbled the football, and FSU recovered. FSU ran the clock out in regulation and went to overtime. In overtime, Florida State RB Karlos Williams rushed for a TD to win the game with a final of 23 to 17.