Shootout In San Diego

Dan Fouts

SAN DIEGO 28  MIAMI 26

Dan Fouts and Dan Marino had themselves a shootout in San Diego.  Marino struck first with a 33 yard bullet to Mark Duper for a 6-0 lead, and on the Dolphins next possession Fuad Reviez added a 41 yard FG to extend it to 9-0.  Things weren't looking good for the Charger defense.  Fortunately, Fouts turned on the gas and led an 80 yard drive and his 10 yard pass to Wes Chandler got the Chargers on the board.

In the second quarter, momentum started to turn back to the home team.  Donald Brown intercepted Dan Marino and then Fouts cashed in another 7 points on a 28 yard pass to Charlie Joiner.  Marino was able to lead the Fins to a FG before the end of the half.  San Diego held a tenuous 14-12 lead heading into what was sure to be more gas on the fire in the second half.

On their first possession of the third quarter, the Chargers showed some rust on special teams when punter Ralf Mojsiejenko fumbled the snap giving Miami the ball on San Diego's 23 yard line.  It took only 4 plays until Lorenzo Hampton ran across the goal line to give the Dolphins a 19-14 lead. Early in the 4th quarter Fouts finished a 78 yard drive with an 8 yard pass to Lionel James, but Miami answered back with an 80 yard scoring drive of their own when Marino hit Duper again for a 26-21 lead.

With 6 minutes to play, the Chargers drove down into the red zone, but Gary Anderson fumbled the ball on the 3 yard line.  Miami burned some clock but was forced to punt it way, and Fouts drove the team down the field again hitting Lionel James with an 18 yard pass for a 28-26 lead and 1 minute on the clock.  Plenty of time for Marino to get his kicker into FG range.  On the first play Marino hit TE Bruce Hardy for a 20 yard gain, but his next throw went into the hands of Charger Safety Jeffrey Dale.  San Diego holds on to a 28-26 opening day win.

Dan Marino finished 29-46, 387 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; Dan Fouts went 38-55, 419 yards, 4 TD 0 INT

Super Duper caught 8 passes for 157 yards and 2 TDs; Wes Chandler caught 10 passes for 111 yards and 1 TD

Great game coached by Andy.