Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Dallas          3   3   3   7   — 16
Cincinnati    0   0   0   7   –   7

* Jordan Palmer’s 1-yard touchdown toss to Darius Hill with 51 seconds left averted a shutout. Dave Rayner’s PAT made the final score: Dallas 16, Cincinnati 7.

* With the two-minute warning approaching — the time when media heads to the locker room — Dallas continues to lead 16-0.

* Mat McBriar’s punt to the Cincinnati 1-yard line led to the first touchdown of the season. With Jordan Palmer trying to connect from his own end zone with Jordan Shipley, Dallas linebacker Brandon Sharpe stepped in to intercept and return the ball 6 yard to the end zone. Buehler’s PAT gave Dallas a 16-0 lead with 9:23 left in the game.

* After an exchange of punts and the end of the third quarter, the Bengals finally mounted a drive. It ended, though, when Cordera Eason fumbled. Josh Brent recovered for the Cowboys on the Dallas 11, 13 seconds into the fourth quarter.

* Fifty-six seconds after missing a 49-yard field-goal attempt, David Buehler has nailed a 23-yarder to give Dallas a 9-0 lead. The Cowboys got the ball back when Jordan Palmer’s pass for Maurice Purify was intercepted by Brandon Williams near midfield and returned to the Cincinnati 9-yard line.

* Dallas kicker David Buehler was wide left on a 49-yard field goal with 9:59 left in the third quarter. The Cowboys still lead 6-0.

* Jordan Palmer has taken over at QB for the Bengals to start the second half, only to go three-and-out. FB Brian Leonard, injured late in the first half, is out for the rest of the game due to an injured left foot.

Bengals LB Michael Johnson (93) gets a second-quarter sack of Stephen McGee.

* Another exchange of punts and an interception concluded a lackluster first half. The interception, with 18 seconds left, went to Dallas S Danny McCray on his own 14, grabbing a desperation J.T. O’Sullivan bomb intended for Andre Caldwell.

* Since Buehler’s second field goal, the teams have exchanged punts. The Bengals have just taken over on their 5-yard line with 2:33 left in the half.

* Official attendance at Fawcett Stadium is 22,364, a sellout.

* Several Cowboys are hurting: WR Titus Ryan (broken left thumb) is done for the night; the return(s) of TE Kevin Brock (left ankle sprain) and T Alex Barron (right ankle sprain) are questionable; TE John Phillips (right knee) has been taken to the locker room for further evaluation.

* Dallas has doubled its lead to 6-0, getting a 34-yard field goal by David Buehler. His kick capped an eight-play, 39-yard drive and came with 6:11 left in the half. Dallas used its third QB of the game to engineer the drive, Stephen McGee.

* After an exchange of punts, the Bengals have come up with the first turnover of the game. Dallas RB Herb Donaldson coughed the ball up and MLB Abdul Hodge recovered for the Bengals on the Cincinnati 24-yard line. However, the Bengals went backwards to the 4 and punted with 10:34 left in the half.

* The Bengals “skills” players apparently are done for the night. QB Carson Palmer, who has been replaced by J.T. O’Sullivan, finishes 2-for-5 for 18 yards. Both receptions were made by Terrell Owens. RB Cedric Johnson carried two times for 7 yards.

* Jonathan Fanene got the Bengals’ first sack, a 7-yard drop of Jon Kitna, and forced a fumble. C Travis Bright recovered for the Cowboys. At the end of one quarter, Dallas in possession at its 41-yard line: Cowboys 3, Bengals 0.

* The Bengals’ second possession began with an 11-yard Palmer-to-Owens pass. However, Cincinnati then went 1-2-3 kick, with Palmer getting sacked.

* Kitna went 2-for-4 on the Cowboys’ second drvie, which ended with a punt.

* Bengals S Chris Crocker suffered an injury to his right ankle when the Bengals punted to end their first possession. He will not return.

* The Cowboys opened their second possession with a new quarterback — former Bengals passer Jon Kitna.

* Nothing doing on the Bengals’ first possession. They did pick up a first down on Carson Palmer’s first pass attempt, good for 7 yards to Terrell Owens. The Bengals soon punted.

* Dallas took the opening kickoff and drove 63 yards in 14 plays to score the game’s first points, a 20-yard field goal by David Buehler. The Cowboys were fortunate to get the points and the Bengals were just as fortunate to hold Dallas to only three points. On first-and-goal from the 5, Dallas running back Felix Jones fumbled. Leon Hall recovered for the Bengals in the end zone, but Jonathan Fanene had lined up offsides. Given another chance, first-and-goal from the 2, Cowboys QB Tony Romo threw three incompletions before Buehler came in. Dallas 3, Cincinnati 0 (9:25 left in first quarter).

The Cincinnati Bengals warm up at Fawcett Stadium. (Photo by Mark Maloney)

Awaiting kickoff for the exhibition-season opener — the Hall of Fame Game at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio — between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys.

• Cincinnati’s inactives: WR Antonio Bryant (knee); OT Andre Smith (foot); S Tom Nelson (knee); LB Rashad Jeanty (leg); FB Fui Vakapuna (shoulder); K Mike Nugent (groin/leg); CB Johnathan Joseph (thigh); RB Cedric Peerman (not specified); LB Rey Maualuga (hamstring); and DE Carlos Dunlap (concussion).in

With Vakapuna out, Louisville rookie Joe Tronzo will get the start at fullback. Adam “Pacman” Jones will start at cornerback in place of Joseph. And Michael Johnson will start at SAM linebacker in place of Maualuga.

• Dallas inactives will include DE Marcus Spears (knee); WR and No. draft pick Dez Bryant (ankle).

The Dallas Cowboys prepare for Sunday