Olivier Vernon

Dolphins only need one half to set season-high in rushing yards, sacks

Published Oct. 18, 2015 2:52 p.m. ET

foxsports

Entering Week 6, the Miami Dolphins had rushed for just 69.3 yards per game -- second-worst in the NFL. In one half against the Tennessee Titans, the Dolphins piled up 132 yards on the ground, which set a new single-game high in 2015. The previous high was 102 in Week 3 against the New York Jets.

Lamar Miller led the charge with 99 yards on 13 carries, while he also found the end zone for the first time this season. The main difference this week is that interim head coach Dan Campbell is at the helm, and he's made good on his word to give more attention to the rushing attack.

Prior to this week, Miller had carried the ball just 37 times and hadn't eclipsed 15 touches in a single game. He matched that total in the first half against the Titans, carrying the Dolphins to a 17-3 halftime lead.

On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins finally got after the quarterback. Cameron Wake entered Week 6 with zero sacks and one tackle, but he changed that against the Titans. He brought down Marcus Mariota four times in the first half, and also forced two fumbles. Olivier Vernon also added a sack of his own, giving Miami five in 30 minutes of football.

Incredibly, the Dolphins had one sack in four games under Joe Philbin, and while it can't all be credited to Campbell, Miami has already begun to play with more intensity and toughness.

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