Bush - acquired in a trade for an undisclosed draft pick with the New Orleans Saints in the offseason - has failed to tear opponents to shreds in his new uniform, but the Browns were his newest target.
That target rolled over and exposed itself rather early as Browns QB Colt McCoy looked deep to WR Greg Little, an uncharacteristic throw for the 2nd year man, and was picked off by Dolphins CB Vontae Davis.
Three plays later, Bush was off to the races as he ran in a 36yd score against minimal opposition with 8 minutes remaining in the first.
The Browns managed to snag a 50yd FG through Phil Dawson, but were looking disheartened as they trailed early for the first time this season.
Dolphins QB Matt Moore gave them a boost to cheer them up - through an interception caught and returned 49yds for a touchdown by rookie CB Joe Haden, who is quickly starting to turn heads in the NFL.
Haden's interception helped the Browns claw their way to a slender lead, but it didn't last long as Dan Carpenter converted a 32yd FG in the 2nd and Bush burst through the line for his second TD of the day, a 64yd run with 5:48 left on the clock.
But from there momentum would suddenly, and unpredictably, swing the way of the Browns.
First, rising hero Ben Watson managed to cross for a 20yd score.
Then backup right end Jayme Mitchell managed to pounce on a Bush fumble and convert it for a touchdown. He would escape a flag after deliberately throwing the ball back at Bush after crossing over.
The second quarter saw 27 points scored, but the third was an anitclimax - Carpenter's 51yd FG the only points in the quarter, and Dawson converted a 35yd FG with 10mins remaining in the quarter to ensure the Browns held a 10 point lead, 30-20.
The Dolphins - in the stadium which saw a spirited fourth quarter comeback just a fortnight ago - were determined this was not the last of the matter and would see RB Daniel Thomas cross over against a tired Browns' goal-line defense to narrow the scores to just 3.
And with a kicker like Carpenter, a 3 point lead is never safe. He proved exactly this with a 50yd strike to tie the scores with 2:18 left.
The Browns were set a difficult task, marching up the field, but they were up to it and Dawson kicked yet another FG as time expired to ensure the Dolphins remain winless - but more importantly, the Browns extend their unbeaten streak.
| Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns | |||||
| Sep 25, 2011 | 1ST | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | SCORE |
| Miami Dolphins (0-3) | 7 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
| Cleveland Browns (3-0) | 10 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 33 |
| Team Stats Comparison | ||
| MIA | CLE | |
| Total Offense | 435 | 368 |
| Rushing Yards | 282 | 144 |
| Passing Yards | 153 | 224 |
| First Downs | 15 | 14 |
| Punt Return Yards | 20 | 26 |
| Kick Return Yards | 105 | 36 |
| Total Yards | 560 | 430 |
| Turnovers | 3 (-2) | 1 (+2) |
| 3rd Down Converstion | 7-17 (41%) | 6-19 (31%) |
| 4th Down Conversion | 1-1 (100%) | 2-2 (100%) |
| 2-Point Conversion | 0-0 (0%) | 0-0 (0%) |
| Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals | 1/1 | 1/2 |
| Penalties | 0-0 | 3-29 |
| Posession Time | 25:02 | 22:58 |
| Scoring Summary | |||
| FIRST QUARTER SCORING | MIA | CLE | |
| 8:33 | (MIA) R.Bush, 36 yard run (D.Carpenter kick) | 7 | 0 |
| 5:20 | (CLE) P.Dawson, 50 yard FG | 7 | 3 |
| 3:31 | (CLE) J.Haden, returned interception 49 yards (P.Dawson kick) | 7 | 10 |
| SECOND QUARTER SCORING | MIA | CLE | |
| 9:43 | (MIA) D.Carpenter, 32 yard FG | 10 | 10 |
| 5:48 | (MIA) R.Bush, 64 yard run (D.Carpenter kick) | 17 | 10 |
| 3:30 | (CLE) B.Watson 20 yard pass from C.McCoy (P.Dawson kick) | 17 | 17 |
| 2:16 | (CLE) J.Mitchell, returned fumble 14 yards (P.Dawson kick) | 17 | 24 |
| 0:08 | (CLE) P.Dawson, 43 yard FG | 17 | 27 |
| THIRD QUARTER SCORING | MIA | CLE | |
| 7:02 | (MIA) D.Carpenter, 51 yard FG | 20 | 27 |
| FOURTH QUARTER SCORING | MIA | CLE | |
| 10:12 | (CLE) P.Dawson, 35 yard FG | 20 | 30 |
| 8:09 | (MIA) D.Thomas, 4 yard run (D.Carpenter kick) | 27 | 30 |
| 5:00 | (MIA) D.Carpenter, 50 yard FG | 30 | 30 |
| 0:00 | (CLE) P.Dawson, 23 yard FG | 30 | 33 |
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