The record number of points that the Miami Dolphins hung on the Denver Broncos in Sunday’s 70-20 win was unquestionably the headline of the day.
But Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a no-look touchdown pass to rookie running back De’Von Achane in the second quarter that under normal circumstances would have been the story of the game.
On a second-and-goal, Tagovailoa dropped back as Miami appeared to run a fake jet sweep to receiver Tyreek Hill. With Randy Gregory closing in, Tagovailoa flipped a shovel pass with his right hand to Achane without breaking eye contact with the Broncos linebacker as the Dolphins took a 21-7 lead.
TUA NO-LOOK SHOVEL PASS TD
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023
: #DENvsMIA on CBS
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/8IYZX0evXg
The four-yard score was the second Tagovailoa’s four touchdown passes and one of 10 total touchdowns scored by Miami’s offense in a record-setting day.
It was Achane’s first touchdown reception and just the second career touchdown for the rookie third-round pick, who rushed for 203 yards with two scores and added four receptions for 30 yards and two more touchdowns in just his second NFL game.
Tua Tagovailoa on no-look shovel pass: “Me no-looking defenders and moving guys with my eyes is not new for our guys to see.”
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 24, 2023
“When I did it in practice everyone thought it was super cool.” - Tua Tagovailoa on the no-look, right-handed shovel pass pic.twitter.com/OncqjdBOpF
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 24, 2023
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