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Smith overruns Patriots

The Dolphins running back rushes 29 times and catches three passes in 30-10 victory.

©Associated Press

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 8, 2001

MIAMI -- A weary Lamar Smith sat at his locker with sweat on his brow, dirt caked on his legs and his right forearm rubbed raw.

The men on the other side looked worse.

In a punishing performance that gave the Dolphins a badly needed boost, Smith rushed for 144 yards on 29 carries Sunday to spark a 30-10 victory over the Patriots.

"Once I got the rock four or five times, I went into a zone," Smith said. "I'm not sore. I probably won't feel it until tomorrow."

Jay Fiedler scrambled for 37 yards and four first downs, and the Dolphins defense scored a touchdown while allowing only 150 yards and one scoring drive. Smith was the defense's best friend, establishing a physical tone and helping Miami control the ball for more than 36 minutes with his first 100-yard game of the season.

"Lamar needed this one to get him on track," Miami coach Dave Wannstedt said. "It was a real confidence boost for him -- and the entire team. It's amazing how it affects the entire team when you can't run the ball."

Miami rushed for 64 yards a week ago in a 42-10 drubbing at St. Louis.

"We had to prove something to ourselves and people around the league," Smith said.

New England, failing to build on last week's 44-13 upset of Indianapolis, lost to the Dolphins for the fifth straight time.

"We were expecting them to run the ball, so we can't make any excuses," linebacker Bryan Cox said. "That was a total butt-kicking. My hat's off to them. ... But we'll see them again."

The Patriots gained 2.9 yards per play, committed three turnovers and were shut out over the final 36 minutes.

Miami defensive end Jason Taylor punctuated the victory with a 1-yard fumble return for the final touchdown.

Fiedler completed 11 of 21 passes for 87 yards, but that included a 14-yard touchdown to infrequent target Jed Weaver. Smith was Miami's leading receiver with three catches for 23 yards. Olindo Mare kicked field goals of 19, 34 and 27 yards.

New England's Tom Brady, making his second start, went 12-for-24 for 87 yards. He dropped a snap on the final play of the third quarter, and after guard Grey Ruegamer inadvertently kicked the ball Taylor scooped it up and scored.

Miami's front four, publicly challenged to play better by Wannstedt, had four sacks. Scott McGarrahan downed punts by Matt Turk at New England's 3- and 4-yard lines in the second half.

The Patriots' touchdown was set up by their defense. Linebacker Mike Vrabel made a one-handed interception on Miami's first play and returned it to the 10, and Antowain Smith's 9-yard scoring run put New England ahead 7-0.

The Dolphins promptly answered with an 80-yard drive. Lamar Smith carried eight times for 55 yards and scored from the 7.

New England's Troy Brown muffed a punt in the second quarter and Terry Cousin recovered, setting up Mare's 19-yard field goal.

The Patriots' best drive came in the second quarter. They moved 56 yards, and Adam Vinatieri's 37-yard field goal made it 10-10.

Miami regained the lead by driving 64 yards in the final 2:37 of the first half, scoring with :07 left. Tight end Weaver beat linebacker Tedy Bruschi on a fade pattern.

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