Joe Milton III kept the backup quarterback conversation loud on Saturday night in Glendale.
The Associated Press account carried by ABC News reported that Milton threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score as the Dallas Cowboys beat the Arizona Cardinals 34-13 in a preseason game at State Farm Stadium.
ESPN's box score has him 9-of-13 for 179 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions with a 151.4 passer rating, plus three rushes for two yards and one rushing touchdown. The Cowboys' team recap matches those passing totals and the same three Milton scores. The AP wire listed 176 passing yards; the ESPN box, Cowboys.com, and NFL.com wrap use 179.
How the first half became 24-6
After Dallas stalled on downs on its opening drive, Cowboys cornerback Shavon Revel intercepted Gardner Minshew and returned the ball 22 yards, the AP and Cowboys.com both wrote. Three plays later, Milton rolled left and hit Malik Davis for an 8-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead, per those same accounts.
Milton then needed only three snaps for a second score, Cowboys.com reported: a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Mingo, ESPN's receiving line has Mingo with two catches for 62 yards and that touchdown.
Arizona answered with field goals after two touchdowns were wiped out by Rivaldo Fairweather penalties, the AP wrote, but Dallas stayed in rhythm. On third-and-3 from its own 29, Milton rolled left and found Camden Brown for a 70-yard catch-and-run to the Arizona 1, Cowboys.com and the Cardinals' site both described.
Milton scored on a 1-yard quarterback draw on the next play for a 21-3 lead. Brandon Aubrey later added a 50-yard field goal, and the Cowboys led 24-6 at halftime, according to ESPN's scoring and the team recap. Aubrey finished 2-for-2 on field goals (50 and 29) and 4-for-4 on extra points for 10 points.
NFL.com's Saturday wrap said that after the opening failed drive, Milton led four straight scoring drives — three touchdowns and one field goal — before the half ended.
