Cowboys top Dolphins in HOF game

Rookie Devonte Holloman’s 75-yard interception return of a tipped pass keyed the Dallas Cowboys’ 24-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, Sunday night that opened the preseason.

The sixth-round pick from South Carolina was perfectly situated when rookie Chad Bumphis had Matt Moore’s pass go off his hands in the second quarter. It was the biggest play for a Dallas defense switching to a 4-3 alignment under new coordinator Monte Kiffin.

Quarterback Tony Romo, coming off back surgery to remove a cyst, sat out for Dallas. So the Cowboys turned to their ground game – and ground down Miami as few regulars got onto the field.

Miami’s mistakes were decisive. They struggled most of the night against Dallas’ new defense masterminded by Kiffin, the man who designed the Tampa 2 scheme so prevalent throughout the NFL.

Although running back DeMarco Murray was held out, the Cowboys were dominant on the ground. Phillip Tanner did the bulk of the early work and finished with 59 yards and a touchdown. Joseph Randle handled the late duty and had 70 yards as Dallas piled up 170 yards rushing.

Around the league

Eagles receiver Riley Cooper says he has gotten threatening messages after a video of him making a racial slur became public Wednesday. The team said Riley told the club of the threats and did not know who made them. … Colts receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey was diagnosed with a sprained left knee after an afternoon training camp session, and it’s unclear how much time he might miss.