Browns sludge their way to 23-10 loss

Miami wins in part with big day from former Buckeye, Hartline

9/8/2013
BLADE STAFF
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline, right, catches a 34-yard touchdown pass against Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline, right, catches a 34-yard touchdown pass against Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine.

CLEVELAND — A former Ohio State standout from northeast Ohio spoiled the Browns coaching debut of Toledo native Rob Chudzinski today.

Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline highlighted a big day with a go-ahead 34-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter to lead Miami to a 23-10 win over Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Hartline, a third-year pro from Canton, finished with nine catches for 114 yards — including a catch down the left sideline that pushed Miami ahead 13-7 midway through the third quarter.

It was another long opener for the Browns, who continued to save their worst for first. They fell to 1-14 in season openers since football returned to Cleveland in 1999 — the league’s worst record in debut games by a wide margin. (The Chiefs and Raiders have the next-worst record with four wins each.)

Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden completed 26 of 53 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown and three interceptions. Trent Richardson ran for 47 yards on 13 carries.