Monday, November 9, 1998

Business as usual in the East as Cowboys beat Giants

By JEFF WALKER

Staff Writer

IRVING - Another record, another NFC East opponent goes down, just another Sunday at Texas Stadium.

Emmitt Smith set the Dallas Cowboys' all-time rushing mark and America's Team remained perfect against divisional opponents as the Cowboys knocked off the New York Giants, 16-6.

"I don't think you could ever underestimate the importance of winning a division game at home and trying to beat this team twice in one year," Dallas head coach Chan Gailey said. "I am very proud of the way our guys hung in there and fought."

After both teams traded field goals through the first three quarters, the Cowboys finally reached the end zone when Troy Aikman hit a wide-open Eric Bjornson on a 2-yard pass.

"I was hoping they didn't see me running across the formation," said Bjornson, who started on the righ side of the field but caught the pass in the left corner of the end zone. "I didn't think I would come across clean, I thought someone was going to hit me. That ball sat up there for a while, but it was exciting to get the touchdown."

Smith praised past and present for his record-setting day.

"This is a special day for me, a special day for my family," he said. "The only thing I can say is thanks to all that have worn a Cowboy uniform and all the coaches that I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by."

Both offenses moved the ball well but stalled once getting inside the red zone. New York finished the day with 286 total yards - 119 on the ground by Gary Brown - while Dallas racked up 327 total yards.

"We moved the ball but weren't getting touchdowns," Aikman said. "They were moving the ball, too, but both teams would end up with a field goal or punt. There weren't a lot of possessions in the game. I thought in the second half we played the way we're capable of playing. We moved the ball and scored some points."

The Giants, who were NFC East champions last year, dropped to 3-6 on the season and three full games behind Dallas, which also swept the season series against New York.

"As professionals we're paid to put this behind us and focus on winning the next game," said Giants' defensive tackle Keith Hamilton. "Unfortunately, we've got to go home and think about this loss. But we're paid to win, it's not about how well you fought or how gallantly you played. The bottom line is winning each ballgame."

Jeff Walker can be reached at 676-6711 or at sports@abinews.com.