NFL game summary for 09/24/1972:
Four running TDs spread among four carriers, including QB Bob Griese, gave the Dolphins a powerful impetus toward victory over the Oilers. Oiler passer Dan Pastorini connected with Charlie Joiner on a 82-yard scoring play and rookie RB Willie Rodgers scored on a short run after Miami had built a 27-0 lead. A tipped ball caused Garo Yepremian to miss his first conversion in 76 attempts.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 54.0 (24) | 142.0 (15) | 196.0 (23) | 2 |
| DEFENSE | 239.0 (24) | 239.0 (23) | 478.0 (26) | 3 | |
 | OFFENSE | 196.0 (5) | 100.0 (22) | 296.0 (12) | 2 |
| DEFENSE | 134.0 (13) | 198.0 (17) | 332.0 (18) | 4 |
Line: Dolphins by 13
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Oilers (0-2-0) | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Miami Dolphins (2-0-0) | 13 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
( 0- 7) MIA Jim Kiick 1 yard rush (Garo Yepremian kick)
( 0-13) MIA Mercury Morris 2 yard rush (kick failed)
( 0-20) MIA Larry Csonka 4 yard rush (Garo Yepremian kick)
( 0-27) MIA Bob Griese 2 yard rush (Garo Yepremian kick)
( 6-27) HOU Charlie Joiner 82 yard pass from Dan Pastorini (kick failed)
(13-27) HOU Willie Rodgers 1 yard rush (Skip Butler kick)
(13-34) MIA Jim Kiick 6 yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick)
HOU MIA
First Downs: 7 30
Rushes-yards: 21-63 53-274
Yards/rush: 3.0 5.2
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 9-21-104-1 12-17-165-1
Sacked-yards: 0-0 1-4
Net pass yards: 104 161
Net yards/pass: 5.0 8.9
Total net yards: 167 435
Total plays: 42 (50% run) 71 (74% run)
Yards/play: 4.0 6.1
Fumbles-lost: 4-2 4-3
Turnovers: 3 4
Penalties-yards: 5-37 2-20
Attendance: 77,821
Passing:
HOU: Dan Pastorini, 9 of 21 for 104 yards and 1 TD (1 int) MIA: Bob Griese, 11 of 16 for 142 yards and 1 TD (1 int); Earl Morrall, 1 of 1 for 23 yards
Rushing:
HOU: Hoyle Granger, 12 for 48 yards; Dan Pastorini, 5 for 10 yards; Willie Rodgers, 2 for 2 yards and 1 TD; Al Johnson, 1 for 2 yards; Robert Holmes, 1 for 1 yard MIA: Larry Csonka, 17 for 79 yards and 1 TD; Mercury Morris, 15 for 94 yards and 1 TD; Jim Kiick, 9 for 55 yards and 1 TD; Hubert Ginn, 7 for 29 yards; Charlie Leigh, 2 for 12 yards; Bob Griese, 2 for 6 yards and 1 TD; Paul Warfield, 1 for -1 yards
Receiving:
HOU: Hoyle Granger, 4 for 11 yards; Charlie Joiner, 2 for 80 yards and 1 TD; Al Johnson, 2 for -2 yards; Alvin Reed, 1 for 15 yards MIA: Paul Warfield, 3 for 67 yards; Jim Kiick, 3 for 8 yards and 1 TD; Hubert Ginn, 1 for 23 yards; Jim Mandich, 1 for 23 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 17 yards; Marv Fleming, 1 for 16 yards; Larry Csonka, 1 for 8 yards; Howard Twilley, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
HOU: Willie Rodgers, 3 for 60 yards; Al Johnson, 1 for 15 yards MIA: Charlie Leigh, 1 for 23 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 19 yards
Punt returns:
HOU: Ken Houston, 1 for 3 yards MIA: Charlie Leigh, 3 for 17 yards
Interceptions:
HOU: John Charles, 1 for 0 yards MIA: Tim Foley, 1 for 10 yards
Punting:
HOU: Dan Pastorini, 6 for 253 yards MIA: Larry Seiple, 2 for 75 yards
Field Goals:
HOU: Dan Pastorini, 9 of 21 for 104 yards and 1 TD (1 int) MIA: Bob Griese, 11 of 16 for 142 yards and 1 TD (1 int); Earl Morrall, 1 of 1 for 23 yards
Rushing:
HOU: Hoyle Granger, 12 for 48 yards; Dan Pastorini, 5 for 10 yards; Willie Rodgers, 2 for 2 yards and 1 TD; Al Johnson, 1 for 2 yards; Robert Holmes, 1 for 1 yard MIA: Larry Csonka, 17 for 79 yards and 1 TD; Mercury Morris, 15 for 94 yards and 1 TD; Jim Kiick, 9 for 55 yards and 1 TD; Hubert Ginn, 7 for 29 yards; Charlie Leigh, 2 for 12 yards; Bob Griese, 2 for 6 yards and 1 TD; Paul Warfield, 1 for -1 yards
Receiving:
HOU: Hoyle Granger, 4 for 11 yards; Charlie Joiner, 2 for 80 yards and 1 TD; Al Johnson, 2 for -2 yards; Alvin Reed, 1 for 15 yards MIA: Paul Warfield, 3 for 67 yards; Jim Kiick, 3 for 8 yards and 1 TD; Hubert Ginn, 1 for 23 yards; Jim Mandich, 1 for 23 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 17 yards; Marv Fleming, 1 for 16 yards; Larry Csonka, 1 for 8 yards; Howard Twilley, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
HOU: Willie Rodgers, 3 for 60 yards; Al Johnson, 1 for 15 yards MIA: Charlie Leigh, 1 for 23 yards; Mercury Morris, 1 for 19 yards
Punt returns:
HOU: Ken Houston, 1 for 3 yards MIA: Charlie Leigh, 3 for 17 yards
Interceptions:
HOU: John Charles, 1 for 0 yards MIA: Tim Foley, 1 for 10 yards
Punting:
HOU: Dan Pastorini, 6 for 253 yards MIA: Larry Seiple, 2 for 75 yards
Field Goals: