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MIAMI — The Atlanta Falcons were stout against the run, dug in on third down and came up with a big takeaway — all things coach Mike Smith is looking for this season.
Atlanta gave up only a field goal while Miami starting quarterback Chad Henne was in the game and beat the Dolphins 16-6 on Friday night.
Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton led the Falcons’ defensive charge with 11 tackles, two for losses. Erik Coleman intercepted a pass in the end zone, and the Dolphins converted only one of eight third-down situations with Henne, who played one series into the third quarter.
Lawrence Sidbury had a sack, two quarterback hits and a tackle for a loss. The Falcons (2-1) are hoping for defensive improvement after ranking 23rd in the NFL last year in yards allowed per play despite a 9-7 record.
Atlanta’s Matt Ryan threw his first touchdown pass of the exhibition season. He led scoring drives of 60 and 54 yards, the second of which took more than seven minutes.
Ryan played one series into the third quarter and finished 13 of 26 for 103 yards, with one interception. He helped the Falcons convert eight of 14 third-down situations against Miami (2-1).
Michael Turner was a workhorse for Atlanta in the first half, rushing 47 yards in 16 carries. He lost a fumble.
Henne was 10 of 22 for 123 yards with one interception. He and Brandon Marshall hooked up for completions of 26 and 20 yards in the final 45 seconds of the first half, giving the Dolphins a first down at the 7. But linebacker Mike Peterson tipped a second-down pass, and Coleman intercepted it in the end zone.
Miami’s Ronnie Brown ran for only 9 yards in eight carries, two out of the wildcat. Ricky Williams carried four times for 5 yards.
The Falcons converted three third-down situations on their second possession before Ryan hit Roddy White for an 18-yard score. White later beat Sean Smith on a deep route, but Ryan overthrew him near the goal line.
Falcons backup quarterback Chris Redman led a 71-yard drive on his first series and capped it with a 5-yard touchdown throw to Brian Finneran. Redman went 5 of 8 for 56 yards.
Dolphins backup Chad Pennington went 7 of 14 for 62 yards and led them to a field goal.
Atlanta’s first-teamers had two turnovers, both in the first half. Cornerback Vontae Davis forced Turner’s fumble, and Dolphins newcomer Karlos Dansby recovered, while Ryan was intercepted by Yeremiah Bell.
Davis made seven tackles, one for a loss, and three passes defended.
Dan Carpenter kicked a 53-yard field goal on Miami’s first possession, and hit a 35-yarder in the second half. Matt Bryant made a 26-yarder for the Falcons.
Local Sports
Stout defense helps Falcons beat Dolphins 16-6
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- Sports Roundup - 02/08/2012
- Sports Calendar - 02/08/2012
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ACM wins, 90-89
Casey Roberts scored 27 points to lead six Allegany College players in double figures and the Trojans handed Hagerstown its first Maryland JUCO Conference loss in a 90-89 thriller Tuesday evening at Bob Kirk Arena.
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ACM falls in OT
Alessandra Flores scored 18 points to lift Hagerstown Community College to a 58-56 victory over Allegany College in Maryland JUCO women’s basketball Tuesday at Bob Kirk Arena.
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Heritage hands Calvary its first home loss, 54-46
JoJo Carr finished with 21 rebounds and 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to drive Calvary to victory as the Eagles lost at home for the first time this season during a 54-46 loss to Heritage Tuesday in Mason-Dixon Christian Conference play.
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Tylor Jessie lifts Alco over BW
Tylor Jessie forced the overtime and then ended it in dramatic fashion as third-ranked Allegany edged fourth-ranked Bishop Walsh 61-59 in a City League classic Tuesday night at Campobello.
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AG: Bail rules should keep Sandusky inside home
Prosecutors asked Tuesday to have Jerry Sandusky kept indoors as part of his bail conditions, citing complaints that the former Penn State football assistant was seen outside and watching children in a schoolyard from the back porch of his home, where he remains under house arrest while awaiting trial on child molestation charges.
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Big Ten exploring 4-team playoff
The Big Ten, which helped squash the notion of a four-team playoff to crown a national champion in college football several years ago, is taking another look.
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AP Source: Memphis to join Big East
Memphis is the latest school to sign up for a spot in the new Big East.
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O’Neal, FH beat Keyser
CUMBERLAND — Top-ranked Fort Hill created some breathing room during the third quarter as the Sentinels fended off a persistent Keyser team for a 50-40 win during an Appalachian Mountain Athletic Conference match-up Monday in Cumberland.
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