Cowboys defeat Redskins 38-14
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Former Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys finally found a way to win without suspended star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
The question is whether the defending NFC East champions figured it out in time to salvage their fading playoff hopes.
Prescott threw two touchdown passes, including a franchise record-breaker to Dez Bryant, and the Cowboys beat the Washington Redskins 38-14 on Thursday night.
Prescott, last year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, shook off a hand injury and found Bryant on a 13-yard leaping grab in the end zone for the 2014 All-Pro's first score in six games and 72nd of his career, one more than Hall of Famer Bob Hayes.
The Cowboys (6-6) started quickly thanks to three firsthalf turnovers and four overall by the Redskins (5-7) and kept it going after halftime with a 21-7 scoring edge after getting outscored 72-6 in the second half of three straight losses without Elliott.
Alfred Morris, Elliott's replacement during the six-game suspension for alleged domestic violence, had 127 yards rushing and a clinching touchdown.
The Cowboys forced NFL-leading Philadelphia to wait until at least Sunday to clinch the division title. But Dallas still faces a steep climb to playoff contention, and two more games without Elliott.
The Redskins had already been eliminated in the division race and are virtually out of the postseason picture after Kirk Cousins threw two interceptions and lost a fumble while throwing two touchdown passes.
Jamison Crowder let the pass go through his hands on Cousins' first interception and fumbled on a Dallas punt a few plays later in the Redskins' fourth straight loss to the Cowboys, the longest such streak in the series since 2003-04.
Starkville Academy football coach Chase Nicholson has benefitted from the skill and leadership of Noah Methvin and Kyle Faver for a long time.
When someone else recognizes their accomplishments, it brings a smile to Nicholson's face.
The two seniors will represent the Volunteers at today's Mississippi Association of Independent Schools All-Star Football Game. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at Jackson Prep.
There are many MAIS players across the state that have the opportunity to be All-Stars, but Nicholson was glad to see Methvin and Faver singled out.
“When other people recognize how much they contributed, put them above other guys and eventually put them on the All-Star team, that's big for those guys,” Nicholson said. “I'm proud of them and for them that they get recognized. They've both had stellar seasons for two years in a row. They've had good junior and seniors years.”
Methvin and Faver helped Starkville Academy to the MAIS Class AAA State championship a couple of weeks ago.
After not playing as a sophomore, Faver came on strong for the Vols the last two years.
“He made up for lost time,” Nicholson said. “He did a great job this year and was a captain for that defense.”
Faver was the sixth leading tackler for SA last season with 115 and was second on the team in sacks with 13 and tackles for loss with eight. He forced five fumbles, recovered three fumbles and had an interception.
Methvin enjoyed a good career on both sides of the football for the Vols. He has been working on defense in Jackson this week.
Whether at quarterback or on defense, Nicholson said Methvin always provided a spark.
“He's not a flashy guy, but when you get the ball in his hands, good things tend to happen,” Nicholson said.
On defense last season, Methvin had 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Even though he is not expected to see any action at quarterback in today's game, Methvin was very good at that position by getting 60 completions for 670 yards with 11 touchdowns and getting 95 carries for 453 yards rushing with 14 scores.
Nicholson will be going to Jackson today to watch Methvin and Faver represent Starkville Academy and compete one more time on the field. He will be one of their biggest fans.
“It was good for them to have a successful year and cap it off one more chance to play in the All-Star Game,” Nicholson said.