This story is about Published Nov. 2016

Another defense tried to outlast Dallas up front; Cowboys, led by Zeke, ran right through them Share This Story On... Twitter

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G.J. McCarthy/Staff Photographer Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) fights off Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (90) during the first half of their game Sunday, November 20, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News)

By Kate Hairopoulos , Staff Writer Contact Kate Hairopoulos on Twitter: @khairopoulos

ARLINGTON -- Ezekiel Elliott, still wearing his famed crop top and post-win grin, kept emphasizing the same point Sunday while breaking down Dallas' 27-17 victory over Baltimore. It's a four-quarter game. So the rookie running back wasn't deterred with only six carries for 26 yards and one catch for minus-1 yard at halftime.

Ezekiel Elliott breaks Tony Dorsett's Cowboys rookie season rushing record -- and, as promised, Dorsett sees it in person

By game's end, he'd compiled 25 carries for 97 yards and four catches for 30 yards -- against the NFL's top rushing and overall defense. Counting on "Zeke" to finish off an opponent is a formula that's worked before in Dallas' franchise-record nine-game, regular-season win streak. Elliott also set the Cowboys' rookie rushing record along the way, as expected since he entered Sunday needing only 3 yards to set the mark. "That's how we play," Elliott said. "Teams are going to come out and try to stop the run, stack the box. We're a physical group of guys. We're going to wear guys down. It's a four-quarter game. Guys aren't trying to get hit in the mouth for that long." Said Ravens coach John Harbaugh: "We felt like we were playing the type of game where we could win the game, without question. We just weren't able to extend it into the second half as well as we wanted to." The highlight that will be shown the most is Elliott pulling off another "Zeke Leap," hurdling over cornerback Tavon Young on Dallas' first drive of the second half. But Elliott's impact Sunday came by cumulative effect. For example, he accounted for 39 all-purpose yards on that 92-yard scoring drive early in the third quarter, which gave Dallas its first lead of the game, 17-10.

The Ravens entered the game allowing 71.3 yards per game on the ground, featuring run-stopping linemen such as 340-pound Brandon Williams and 339-pound Michael Pierce. And they proved a tough matchup for much of the game. But things eventually loosened up, with quarterback Dak Prescott and the passing game doing their part, too. "It's kind of how we're made, you know," right guard Zack Martin said. "We knew it was going to be tough sledding early, especially against a team like that. They were as advertised. They were really good up front, a good defense. "We knew we could wear them out as the game wore on. We were able to do that." Elliott and the O-line had faced the league's No. 1 rushing defense before. They traveled to Green Bay on Oct. 16 for another matchup of best vs. best at the time. Elliott finished with a season-high 157 yards on 28 carries. On Sunday, Elliott also got a heavy workload as the Cowboys put together a touchdown drive of 7:54 and a field goal drive of 6:26 in the fourth quarter to ensure the win. Before the game, Elliott met with Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett. Both knew Elliott would soon take down the franchise record Dorsett set as a rookie in 1977 (1,007 yards). Elliott, who wasn't even born until 1995, needed two carries. Dorsett tweeted out his congratulations.

What a day for @EzekielElliott & glad I was there! Keep rumbling, young man, & I expect even more greatness 2 come! @dallascowboys #DALvsBAL https://t.co/vRsR26lKvg — Tony Dorsett (@Tony_Dorsett) November 20, 2016

Elliott said postgame: "Just with the pedigree of this position for the Dallas Cowboys, it means a lot to go out there and break a record." Elliott later tweeted out his own thanks to Dorsett for attending.

Thanks for developing the culture for for what a Dallas Cowboy running back should be. Means a lot that you were there today. @Tony_Dorsett pic.twitter.com/ln4ZbwMXft — Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) November 20, 2016

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