Cowboys cut Giants down to sizeEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Emmitt Smith ran 60 yards for a touchdown on Dallas' third play from scrimmage and scored three other times as the Dallas Cowboys blew away the New York Giants 35-0 Monday night in a game that wasn't as close as the score.
"As I told Emmitt, that's the way to start '95, the first time you touch the ball," Dallas coach Barry Switzer said. "That sort of set the tone for the game tonight."
Smith, who finished with 163 yards on 21 carries, also scored three times on 1-yard runs to reach 75 touchdowns for his career, three better than Tony Dorsett's previous Cowboys record. Smith's only other four-touchdown game as a pro came Dec. 16, 1990, against the Cardinals.
Troy Aikman completed 15 of 20 passes for 228 yards for the Cowboys, who led 21-0 at halftime, then scored twice more before sending in the scrubs.
Dallas' defense and special teams were just as good as its offense. The Giants, who won their last six games in 1994, didn't cross midfield until 2:20 remained in the first half as they suffered their worst regular-season loss since 1980 and their first home shutout since 1976. New York's first five possessions began inside its 20, and the sixth began at its 26.
"They looked like they were playing at a different speed," Giants coach Dan Reeves said of the Cowboys.
"They're a good football team, no ifs ands or buts about it," Giants safety Vencie Glenn said. "They don't make mistakes, and when you do they capitalize."
The only negative for Dallas was an Achilles' tendon injury to left cornerback Kevin Smith that Switzer said is probably season-ending.
Switzer begged owner Jerry Jones to sign Deion Sanders.
"If Jerry's around him, I'm going to tell him. It's serious now," Switzer said. "Get Deion. We need Deion now. It ain't showtime anymore. It's serious business."
There was no need for Deion on Monday night. After a 15-yard pass from Aikman to Jay Novacek and a dropped pass by Michael Irvin, Smith burst up the middle.
"I think the offensive line did a great job," Smith said. "The scoreboard showed it, the way the holes opened up showed how well the line played."
Aikman threw 7 yards to Irvin for the second score three minutes into the second quarter. Irvin had seven catches for 109 yards, and Novacek had five for 91.
Then, with Smith already over 100 yards -- he hit 102 with 9:08 left in the half -- the Cowboys went 59 yards in nine plays to make it 21-0 at the half. The Giants' only threat ended when Tony Tolbert got a hand on Brad Daluiso's 42-yard field-goal attempt.
