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The time change everyone has been anticipating went down exactly as planned yesterday: The Miami Dolphins introduced quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and “Tua Time” to the country with a solid all-around 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams.
It wasn’t always pretty, but all wins count the same. The Dolphins won for the fourth time in their last five games, all while debuting their newest star.
Coming into the game, all of the attention was rightfully focused on the Alabama rookie quarterback, whom the Dolphins took fifth overall in this past year’s NFL Draft. Much was made about the timing of Tua’s debut, and if it was coming too soon in a season in which he was expected to sit and learn for the majority of the time.
Once the game started, however, it was the Dolphins’ defense and special teams that were the story. For the first time in 11 years – literally 11 years to the day – the Dolphins scored a touchdown on offense, special teams, and defense all in the same game.
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Tua and the offense were first to get on the board as Tagovailoa threw his first career touchdown pass to DeVante Parker to tie the score 7-7.
Welcome to the league, Tuanigamanuolepola Tagovailoa. @Tua ? @DeVanteParker11
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 1, 2020
???? @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/0eMVRfQQPr
Soon after, it was the Dolphins’ defense that took its turn occupying the end zone when linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel picked up a fumble and sprinted 78 yards for the score.
.@MiamiDolphins 78-yard SCOOP & SCORE! @AndrewVanGinkel | #FinsUp
— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2020
????: #LARvsMIA on FOX
????: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/J6oAb5WnGm pic.twitter.com/UHzSG2fByW
Literally a minute of football clock later, the Dolphins were back in the end zone, this time when wide receiver Jakeem Grant took back a Rams punt to the house for a long score.
TUA TIME!!!! pic.twitter.com/0UKYn46eG7
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 1, 2020
While Tua’s numbers in his first game don’t pop off the page – he finished the game 12 of 22 for 93 yards and one touchdown – he definitely looked the part of an NFL quarterback. On multiple occasions, he made throws that reminded Dolphins fans why they were so excited to see him take the field.
Not many people expected Tua to light up one of the best defenses in the NFL in his first game, but he more than held his own managing a game plan the Dolphins obviously put in place to ease him in.
AFC East pic.twitter.com/8iTG3ehaAO
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 1, 2020
Next week, the Dolphins face the Arizona Cardinals, a solid team led by their own superstar quarterback who wears #1, Kyler Murray. It’s likely Tua and the Dolphins will need a much better showing on offense to keep their hot streak live.
