As September rolls in, football fans wait anxiously for the beginning of the NFL Season to see their favorite teams face off against each other in one of the most loved sports in America. Dolphin fans were given something to celebrate when they reeled in their first win of the 2017 season against the LA Chargers. On Sunday, Sept. 17, our Miami Dolphins sealed the game with a victorious score of 19-17.

In the first quarter, the Dolphins scored the first 3 points of the game following a 30-yard field goal by Cody Parkey, the placekicker. During the second quarter, Younghoe Koo, the Chargers placekicker, tied the game with a 41-yard field goal, finalizing the two teams with a score of 3-3. Then the first touchdown of the game came from Melvin Gordon running a 1-yard pass into the touchdown zone. It was followed by a successful kick from Younghoe Koo, propelling the Chargers to a 10-3 lead.

At the commencement of the third quarter, the Dolphins fought back with an impressive catch from wide-receiver Kenny Mills, as he caught a 29-yard pass thrown by quarterback Jay Cutler. Cody Parkey did not disappoint with his kick, drawing the Dolphins even again with the Chargers. With eight minutes and eighteen seconds left in the third quarter, the LA Chargers tight end, Antonio Gates, caught a 7-yard pass from quarterback Phillip Rivers, scoring another touchdown. The score changed yet again, 17-10, after Younghoe Koo’s point-scoring kick. But with two minutes and forty-three seconds left in the third quarter, Cody Parkey scored a field goal of 28-yards. The score, now 13-17; had the Dolphins playing with some momentum heading into the fourth.

The final and most important quarter was here. The Chargers defense was clearly present on the field. The offense wasn’t as electrifying and dynamic. Cody Parkey scored a 35-yard field goal with six minutes and twenty-eight seconds on the clock, bringing the Fins within one point. Parkey was truly on fire. With a minute and five seconds on the fast-approaching clock, Parkey kicked a 54-yard field goal, swapping the lead again in favor of the Dolphins. With nine seconds left on the clock, Younghoe Koo missed a 44- yard field goal at 3rd and 1-yard line at Miami’s 26. The crowd went wild and the deal was done. The Miami Dolphins had won their first game of the season.

“Fantastic performances from Jay Ajayi, Devante Parker, Jarvis Landry, Jay Cutler and the secondary unit led a comeback on the Chargers. Coming down to the last few minutes, the Dolphins kicker iced the game with a go-ahead field goal to seal the game. It was a hard-fought comeback win for Miami’s season opener,” sophomore Christian Segurola said.

This game caught many by surprise. Many had their doubts when it came to Jay Cutler and his ability to perform on the field with a new team and little time to get to know them. But nevertheless, he was present and helped our team bring in a victory.

“Jay Cutler’s first start wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. The Dolphins’ defense lacked strength, but overall I think they will go for a solid .500 record this year,” senior Manny Iglesias said.

Faced with Hurricane Irma, an injured Ryan Tannehill who is out for the season, a new quarterback and then having to move practices across the country, Miami is proud of their hometown team for bringing a win in the wake of it all. Their next game will be at MetLife Stadium, as the Miami Dolphins are set to battle the New York Jets on Sunday, Sept. 24.