DeAngelo Hall returns fumble 32 yards for TD, Redskins lead 10-7 after 3rd quarter

Redskins lead 10-7 over rival Cowboys

LANDOVER, Md. — DeAngelo Hall returned a fumble 32 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half, leading the Washington Redskins to a 10-7 lead over the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the third quarter on Sunday night.

Dallas wide receiver Miles Austin caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo with 1:41 left in the third quarter for the game’s only offensive touchdown. Dallas started the possession on the Redskins 34 yard line after Josh Bidwell’s 27-yard punt.

Austin had seven catches for 100 yards and the touchdown, and Romo was 22 of 30 for 178 yards. Marion Barber led all rushers with 39 yards on eight carries.

Hall gave Washington a 10-0 lead when he forced the fumble by Cowboys running back Tashard Choice on a screen pass and the cornerback scooped up the ball, running down the left sideline and somersaulting into the end zone.

It was Hall’s third career touchdown, and his first fumble return for a score. It was also Washington’s first fumble return for a touchdown since Sean Taylor did it against the Eagles on Jan. 1, 2006.

Graham Gano kicked a 29-yard field goal in the first quarter to give the Redskins an early lead.

The Cowboys had a chance to tie the game early in the second quarter, but David Buehler’s 34-yard field goal attempt was wide right. The kick was Buehler’s first NFL field goal attempt.

Donovan McNabb, making his first start for Washington after 11 seasons with Philadelphia, completed 12 of 24 passes for 139 yards. Clinton Portis rushed for 37 yards on 15 carries.

The Redskins drove 69 yards on their opening possession leading to the field goal. McNabb completed 3 of 5 passes for 32 yards and added a scramble for 17 yards on the Redskins’ only drive of the opening quarter.

The Redskins got another field goal try on the opening drive of the second half but chose to nullify Gano’s 36-yarder after Dallas’ Orlando Scandrick was called offside on the play. Two plays later, Dallas had another costly penalty: Terence Newman intercepted McNabb in the end zone but was called for illegal contact.

Washington ended up attempting another field goal, this time a 23-yarder, but the holder Bidwell fumbled the snap.

The game marked the Redskins debut for coach Mike Shanahan, who entered the game with a 146-98 regular season record as coach of the Los Angeles Raiders and Denver Broncos.