ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals utilize rookie Rondale Moore’s speed on 1st scoring drive of preseason

Aug 13, 2021, 8:00 PM | Updated: 11:35 pm

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (85) eludes the tackle of Dallas Cowboys cornerback J...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (85) eludes the tackle of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals receivers A.J. Green and DeAndre Hopkins both did not play in the team’s preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

That opened the door for another wideout to be the focal point of the first-team offense, a door rookie Rondale Moore stepped right through.

The 2021 second-round pick had four touches in the first quarter, including three on Arizona’s first scoring drive of the game.

Moore picked up carries for nine and seven yards and also caught a pass from backup quarterback Colt McCoy that gained seven yards.

On all those touches, Moore showcased his impressive agility.

McCoy also targeted Moore earlier in the drive, a pass that fell incomplete.

After Moore’s first catch of that drive that put Arizona on Dallas’ 12-yard line, the drive stalled out and the Cardinals’ Matt Prater converted from 33 yards on a field goal to put Arizona up 3-0 late in the first quarter.

Moore through the opening 12 minutes had two catches for 14 yards and two carries that produced an additional 16 yards.

Through the first quarter, McCoy was 5-of-6 for 62 yards. That included a beautiful 34-yard toss to wideout Christian Kirk that was a good chunk of that scoring drive.

The Cardinals beat the Cowboys 19-16. Matt Prater hit a game-winning field goal as time expired.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray watches from the sidelines prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Dallas Cowboys quarterback Garrett Gilbert (3) warms up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott walks across the field prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) watches warm ups prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal (42) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams, center, for a fumble during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cowboys recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (85) eludes the tackle of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys quarterback Garrett Gilbert scrambles against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys linebacker Keanu Neal (42) strips the ball away from Arizona Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams, center, as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, right, defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy (12) throws against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (96) lies injured on the turf during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a field goal as punter Andy Lee (4) holds and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph (24) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (85) runs as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) pursues during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy (12) throws against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Dallas Cowboys defensive end Ron'Dell Carter (97) celebrates his sack against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin (26) celebrates his touchdown run as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph (24) looks away during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys defensive end Ron'Dell Carter, right, sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy (12) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin celebrate his touchdown run with cornerback Robert Alford (23) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ced Wilson can't make the catch as Arizona Cardinals running back Tavien Feaster (37) defends during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys quarterback Garrett Gilbert (3) eludes the reach of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kylie Fitts (49) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Malik Turner (17) is hit by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Isaiah Simmons is during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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