Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played the entire first quarter and into the second quarter of a preseason win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla. File Photo by Kevin M. Cox/UPI | License Photo
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Aug. 23 (UPI) — Tua Tagovailoa threw a second-quarter score, while Miami Dolphins pass rushers wrecked the Jacksonville Jaguars offense Saturday in a preseason finale.
Tagovailoa completed 4 of 8 passes for 49 yards and a score in the 14-6 win in Miami Gardens, Fla. With the win, the Dolphins wrapped up their first unbeaten (2-0-1) preseason since 2009, when they went 4-0.
Breakout performances from wide receiver Malik Williams and rookie running back Ollie Gordon II could not only impact the Dolphins depth chart, but also decisions ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline.
“I think this game was really important for a lot of guys trying to make the team, but it was very important for us to see as a team, collectively, offensively, defensively, can we trust them?” Tagovailoa said. “Can we not trust them? Are they doing the right things out there.
“And we’ll see how everything shakes out with the 53.”
Gordon, who saw an increased workload due to several injuries to Dolphins ball carriers, logged 43 yards on eight carries. The sixth-round pick in the 2025 displayed impressive physicality and burst throughout the matchup.
Washington also impressed with three catches for 41 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch from Tagovailoa. Dolphins backup running back Mike Boone also scored.
“We have to take advantage of our opportunities when they come,” Washington said. “You can’t let the opportunity slip by. You can’t be not ready or not prepared for the opportunity.”
That juke move thooo @malik_w2 pic.twitter.com/KFzU4E7QF1— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 23, 2025
The Dolphins’ pass rush harassed the Jaguars early on, overwhelming their backups as they chose to rest their starters. But neither team managed to score over the first 15 minutes.
Tagovailoa hit Washington for the first points of the night about three minutes into the second quarter. The Dolphins quarterback connected with tight end Pharaoh Brown on a two-point conversion seconds later for an 8-0 lead.
The Jaguars answered with a 10-play drive, but were only able to end the possession with three points. Dolphins punter Jake Bailey missed a 51-yard attempt on the next drive.
Kicker Cam Little made a second-consecutive field goal for the Jaguars, a 59-yarder, on the next possession to cut the deficit to two points.
Dolphins backup quarterback Zach Wilson help orchestrate a 12-play scoring drive in response to the Little field goals. Boone ended the possession with his 7-yard touchdown run. The Dolphins failed to convert a two-point attempt after that score, but their defense suffocated the Jaguars for the remainder of the night.
Safety John Saunders Jr. helped seal the victory with an interception of Jaguars backup quarterback Seth Henigan with about two minutes remaining. He returned that interception 31 yards.
Gordon, who started training camp as the Dolphins’ fourth-string running back, finished his first preseason campaign with 126 yards and a score on 26 carries. He also totaled 48 receiving yards.
Zach Wilson completed 9 of 13 passes for 80 yards in relief of Tagovailoa. Fellow Dolphins backup Quinn Ewers completed 5 of 6 passes for 64 yards.
Edge rusher Chop Robinson picked up a sack on the first defensive play of the night. Outside linebackers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips logged half-sacks for the Dolphins.
Henigan completed 15 of 21 passes for 77 yards in the loss. Running back Ja’Quinden Jackson totaled 60 yards from scrimmage on 10 touches. Linebackers Jack Kiser and Yasir Abdullah and defensive linemen Ethan Downs, Kelvie Rose and Danny Striggow picked up sacks for the Jaguars, who went 0-2-1 this preseason.
The Dolphins will face the Indianapolis Colts in their regular-season opener Sept. 7 in Indianapolis. The Jaguars will host the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 7 in Jacksonville, Fla.