Dolphins Lose Preseason Game 3, 17-13

The third time's the norm for Miami, who suffered O-line and ground game issues against Tampa Bay

Rudy Carpenter threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Overbay with 3:11 remaining, giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a 17-13 preseason victory over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday night.

Brandon Marshall scored on a 60-yard reception from Chad Henne and Dan Carpenter kicked field goals of 21 and 47 yards for the Dolphins (2-1), who were penalized 11 times to the Bucs' 15.

Henne played into the third quarter and was sacked three times. He went 10 of 13 for 175 yards and one touchdown, connecting with Marshall on a sideline throw that was defended well by Bucs cornerback E.J. Biggers, starting in place of Talib.

Marshall made the catch inside the Tampa Bay 35, managed to stay in bounds before cutting back toward the middle past safety Cody Grimm. He and stiff-armed linebacker Quincy Black to remain on his feet and get into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

Marshall's second-quarter fumble, forced by Biggers at the end of a 30-yard catch and run, led to Tampa Bay's touchdown just before the half.

The Dolphins gained just two rushing yards in the first half, 17 overall.

With the exception of a couple of early third-down completions and a short throw to LeGarrette Blount that the second-year running back turned into a 52-yard gain to set up a field goal, Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman had little to show. Then he guided a six-play, 54-yard touchdown drive that made it 10-10 just before halftime.

The third-year quarterback set up Earnest Graham's 2-yard TD run with a 15-yard completion to his fullback and a 17-yard scramble to the Miami 2.

Freeman finished 12 of 23 for 149 yards and has not turned over the ball this preseason. He did have two potential interceptions dropped and had one pick nullified by a penalty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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