Tony Romo is set to make his preseason debut against the Ravens. (Getty)
Final Score: Ravens 34, Cowboys 30
The Baltimore Ravens built a huge lead Saturday night in Dallas, and despite the efforts of the Cowboys’ third- and fourth-string offenses, the lead was enough for Baltimore to eek out a 34-30 win Saturday night in Tony Romo’s return from offseason back suergery.
Here’s how it went down:
Courtney Upshaw Recovered a Fumble & Took it to the House
TOUCHDOWN COURTNEY UPSHAW!!
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 16, 2014
Not exactly the start Tony Romo hoped for. Romo fumbled on Dallas’ first series, and Courtney Upshaw returned it 25 yards for a touchdown that put Baltimore on top 7-0 with 11:41 left in the first quarter.
Romo Hit Dez Bryant to Tie it Up
ROMO TO BRYANT FOR THE TD!! #ThrowUpTheX #DALvsBAL
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 16, 2014
There’s a sight Dallas fans could get used to this year: Romo hitting Dez Bryant in the endzone for a touchdown.
Romo connected with the wideout from 31 yards out with 6:44 left in the quarter, capping a 9-play, 83 yard scoring drive that tied it at 7.
Deonte Thompson Scored on a 108-Yard Kickoff Return
TOUCHDOWN DEONTE THOMPSON!
108-yard kickoff return!
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 16, 2014
More than half-way through the first quarter, the Ravens offense hadn’t stepped foot on the field, but the visitors still had a 14-7 lead after Deonte Thompson returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown with 6:32 left.
Joe Flacco Threw a TD Pass to Torrey Smith to Cap a 96-Yard Drive
After the teams traded field goals in the second quarter, the Ravens offense finally did what the defense and special teams had done earlier in the game: Scored a touchdown.
The score came when Joe Flacco hit Torrey Smith for a 19-yard touchdown strike that capped an impressive 7-play, 96-yard touchdown drive with 2:55 left in the first half.
Justin Tucker added a 38-yard field goal with 8 seconds left in the half, giving Baltimore a 27-10 lead at the break.
The Ravens Struck First in the Second Half
TOUCHDOWN RAVENS!
RB Lorenzo Taliaferro scores on a three-yard TD.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2014
Lorenzo Taliaferro scored on a 3-yard run with 10:23 left in the third quarter, giving the Ravens even more breathing room.
The Cowboys Mounted a Late Comeback, but it Wasn’t Quite Enough
Ryan Williams with a 27 YD carry! COwboys on the 3yd line. First and goal. #DALvsBAL
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 17, 2014
TD!!! Ryan Williams punches it in on the ground. XP is good. Cowboys 24, Ravens 34. #DALvsBAL
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 17, 2014
.@j_newsome1911 with a BEAUTIFUL catch for a TD! #DALvsBAL
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 17, 2014
With Caleb Hanie and Dustin Vauaghan under center, the Cowboys scored three unanswered touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters, the third of which — a strike from Vauaghan to Jamar Newsome with 4:35 left — brought Dallas to within 34-30 before a 2-point conversion attempt failed.
Pregame
GAMEDAY! #DALvsBAL pic.twitter.com/FUPJKH9AZ7
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 16, 2014
.@DCC_Abby @DCC_Katy and @DCC_Holly in the DCC locker room at @ATTStadium. Game Day! #DALvsBAL pic.twitter.com/uw2co9CKpA
— Cowboys Cheerleaders (@DCCheerleaders) August 16, 2014
Thanks to @Nationwide for painting the stadium white today with rally towels! #DALvsBAL pic.twitter.com/7AS92tWsUO
— AT&T Stadium (@ATTStadium) August 16, 2014