1971
September 1
Miami obtains LB Bob Matheson from Cleveland in trade for 1972 second-round pick and Matheson later becomes key to the 53 Defense.
October 17
QB Bob Griese sets NFL record with three consecutive passes for TDs in first quarter of 41-3 victory over New England at Orange Bowl.
November 7
Dolphins post first-ever shutout, 34-0 over Buffalo at Orange Bowl, although Bills gained 364 yards.
December 19
Record regular-season crowd of 74,215 paid sees Dolphins win first AFC East
title by defeating Green Bay, 27-6. FB Larry Csonka becomes club's first 1,000-yard
rusher with 1,051 yards, and placekicker Garo Yepremian leads NFL with 117 points.
December 25
Dolphins win longest game (82 minutes, 40 seconds) in pro football history,
27-24 at Kansas City, as Garo Yepremian kicks 37-yard field goal in second overtime
of AFC semifinal playoff. The victory marked the first postseason win in franchise
history.
1972
January 2
Dolphins stymie Baltimore, 21-0, for first AFC Championship before 78,629 spectators
at Orange Bowl. Colts are scoreless for first time in 97 games and strong safety
Dick Anderson returns interception 62 yards for TD.
January 16
Dallas rushes for 252 yards in defeating Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl Vl before 81,035 spectators at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.
April 25
Dolphins claim 16-year pro QB Earl Morrall, age 38, on waivers from Baltimore.
October 1
Dolphins end season ticket sale at record 69,303.
October 15
QB Earl Morrall replaces injured Bob Griese (broken right leg, dislocated ankle) at Orange Bowl and finishes 24-10 victory over San Diego for 5-0 record.
November 12
Don Shula becomes first NFL coach to win 100 regular-season games in 10 seasons as Dolphins smother New England, 52-0, with 501 total yards at Orange Bowl.
December 16
Dolphins achieve NFL's first 14-0 regular-season record and break NFL rushing record with 2,960 yards by defeating Baltimore 16-0 at Orange Bowl.
December 31
QB Bob Griese comes off bench in 7-7 battle in third quarter after 10-game absence and rallies Dolphins to 21-17 victory at Pittsburgh to repeat as AFC Champions.
1973
January 14
Dolphins cap a perfect season in Super Bowl Vll at Los Angeles by defeating
Washington 14-7 for NFL’s first unbeaten, untied record. A 28-yard TD
pass from Bob Griese to Howard Twilley and interceptions by LB Nick Buoniconti
and safety Jake Scott are key plays. Scott, who recorded two interceptions on
the day, is named game’s MVP, becoming the first defensive back to earn
such recognition.
April 18
Dolphins surpass NFL record with 74,961 season ticket sales. Kansas City held old record of 72,855 in 1972.
September 30
RB Mercury Morris sets single-game rushing record of 197 yards on 15 carries with three TDs (24, 70, 35) in 44-23 win over New England at Orange Bowl.
November 11
Dolphins shut out Baltimore for fourth consecutive time, 44-0, as CB Tim Foley returns two blocked punts for TDs at Orange Bowl.
December 15
WR Paul Warfield catches four TD passes (21, 7, 16, 4) from Bob Griese in first half of 34-7 victory over Detroit at Orange Bowl. Dolphins compile best two-year record (26-2) in NFL history.
December 30
Dolphins rush for 266 yards in defeating Oakland 27-10 for unprecedented third straight AFC Championship at Orange Bowl.
1974
January 13
Dolphins overpower Minnesota 24-7 in Super Bowl Vlll at Rice Stadium in Houston
for second consecutive NFL Championship. FB Larry Csonka gains 145 yards on
33 carries as Dolphins outscore three playoff foes, 85-33. Csonka honored as
game's MVP.
January 20
Garo Yepremian kicks five field goals for AFC, including 42- yarder with 21
seconds remaining, for 15-13 victory in Pro Bowl at Kansas City. Yepremian becomes
the first Dolphin to be named MVP of the Pro Bowl.
March 31
FB Larry Csonka, WR Paul Warfield and RB Jim Kiick sign $3.3 million package deal in Toronto to play for John Bassett in World Football League.
July 1
NFL Players Association declares strike, and Dolphins Managing General Partner Joseph Robbie charges NFLPA with search and destroy mission.
July 10
Chicago Tribune Charities cancels July 26 College All-Star Game with Dolphins due to strike.
July 17
Seven veterans cross picket line: C Jim Langer, S Jake Scott, TE Jim Mandich, LB Bob Matheson, QB Earl Morrall and RBs Don Nottingham and Mercury Morris.
August 14
Strike ends after seven weeks.
November 17
Dolphins outlast Buffalo 35-28 at Orange Bowl on 23-yard TD by Don Nottingham with 19 seconds remaining; third time in season that Dolphins score winning points with less than 20 seconds to play.
December 2
FB Larry Csonka gains 100 yards for 19th time with 123 yards in 24-3 victory over Cincinnati at Orange Bowl; is Miami's seventh consecutive win on Monday night TV.
December 15
Dolphins rally from 24-point deficit to defeat New England 34-27 for 31st consecutive victory (excluding pre-season) at Orange Bowl. QB Earl Morrall passes for 288 yards as Miami closes with 11-3 record.
December 21
Raiders spoil Dolphins' bid for third consecutive NFL Championship, 28-26, in
AFC semifinal at Oakland on 8-yard TD pass from Ken Stabler to Clarence Davis
with 26 seconds remaining.
1975
September 22
Winning streak at Orange Bowl stops at 31 games after 31-21 loss to Oakland.
October 19
Dolphins intercept Jets QB Joe Namath six times in 43-0 victory at New York.
October 22
World Football League folds after losing $30 million, but three ex-Dolphins remain under contract to John Bassett.
November 23
QB Bob Griese suffers torn tendons in right foot during third quarter of 33-17 loss to Baltimore at Orange Bowl.
December 14
Dolphins suffer 10-7 loss in overtime at Baltimore on 31-yard FG by Toni Linhart
and miss qualifying for playoffs for first time in six years under Don Shula.
1976
January 22
Prescription Athletic Turf (grass) approved for Orange Bowl stadium at a cost of $244,500.
March 30
Seattle selects Dolphin original T Norm Evans in expansion draft; Tampa Bay selects LBs Bruce Elia and Doug Swift, who retires to enter medical school.
September 26
Dolphins face QB Joe Namath of New York Jets for last time and post 16-0 shutout at Orange Bowl.
October 17
WR Howard Twilley, last of Dolphin originals, surpasses 3,000 career yards with eight catches for 104 yards in 20-17 overtime loss to Kansas City at Orange Bowl.
December 5
WR Freddie Solomon gains 252 yards in three-TD spectacular that includes 79-yard punt return, 53-yard pass play and 59-yard flanker reverse in 45-27 victory over Buffalo Bills at Orange Bowl.
