MIAMI (AP) _ Chad Henne's first touchdown pass in the NFL was also rookie Brian Hartline's first TD catch.
So who keeps the ball?
“A jigsaw might be in order to cut it in half,'' Hartline said.
The Miami Dolphins had some new stars in their first win of the season. Henne played well in his first pro start, Hartline made a big fingertip catch at the goal line, 27-year-old rookie Cameron Wake had three sacks and Miami routed the Buffalo Bills 38-10 on Sunday.
“Overall, we did a wonderful job,'' Henne said. “Everybody deserves credit for this win.''
Start with Henne, a second-year pro who shook off six sacks and managed the game well. He went 14 for 22 for 115 yards and a 5-yard scoring pass to Hartline. Most important: He committed no turnovers.
Coach Tony Sparano said Henne's four years as a starter at Michigan served him well.
“This kid has played in a lot of big football games,'' Sparano said. “I loved his look during the game. It was tremendous.''
Wake, a former CFL star, came off the bench to lead a defense that totaled six sacks, came up with three interceptions and limited the Bills to 46 yards rushing. Wake was filling in for injured pass rusher Joey Porter.
“The kid showed what he's got,'' teammate Jason Taylor said. “I've been around a long time, and he does things that amaze me.''
There were some familiar aspects to the Dolphins' performance: They rushed for 250 yards and controlled the ball for 37 minutes. The Dolphins came into the game 0-3 despite a strong running attack and an 11-minute edge per game in time of possession, and this time they won at keepaway.
Scoring drives covered 65, 66, 65 and 58 yards. The Dolphins were 11 for 19 on third- and fourth-down conversions _ a category in which they already led the league.
“That's what we want to do _ pound the ball and wear guys down,'' tackle Jake Long said. “It starts up front, and our running backs were relentless and bulling through people.''
Ronnie Brown ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns, and Ricky Williams added 85 yards and one score.
“Those 30- and 40-yard runs add up quickly,'' Bills defensive end Ryan Denney said.
They added up to a 28-point margin of victory, Miami's largest since Sept. 8, 2002.
The injury-plagued Bills (1-3) gave up 31 points in a 24-minute span while their offense sputtered throughout. They've lost eight consecutive games against AFC East opponents. Of more immediate concern, they have been outscored 65-17 in the past two games.
“This is an embarrassing day,'' defensive end Chris Kelsay said.
Terrell Owens, shut out a week ago, had a 4-yard reception on the first play from scrimmage and caught a long pass for a 39-yard gain to set up a field goal. But for the most part, Buffalo struggled to exploit a Miami secondary that had given up big plays in bunches.
“We just have to go back to the drawing board,'' a subdued Owens said.
The Dolphins, who totaled 43 points in their three losses, took control by scoring five times in the second and third quarters. The Bills hardly had the ball during that stretch _ even a 27-yard TD drive by the Dolphins took five minutes.
There was one quick score: rookie Vontae Davis' 23-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Hartline's touchdown capped a 12-play drive to put Miami ahead 24-3. Henne was among the first players to join him for the end zone celebration.
As for the ball?
“I'll give it to Brian,'' Henne said with a smile. “Hopefully we can have many more of those. Of course an Ohio State guy takes it from a Michigan guy, but he can have it.''
Pictured above is Chad Henne.
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