The San Diego Chargers had topped the American Football
League’s Western Division in 1963 and ’64, winning the league title in the
first year, and were still considered the team to beat in the division as they
opened the 1965 season on September 11 at home against the Denver Broncos.
While Head Coach Sid Gillman’s Chargers were a good
defensive team, they were best known for their high-powered offense.
Fourth-year QB John Hadl had split time with veteran Tobin Rote in ’64 and,
with Rote gone, was now the full-time starter – despite any misgivings on Coach
Gillman’s part. He had formidable weapons to throw to in All-AFL flanker Lance
Alworth (pictured above) plus split end Don Norton and TE Dave Kocurek. There were concerns
about the running game, however, as star HB Paul Lowe was coming off an
injury-plagued year in 1964 and FB Keith Lincoln, a formidable all-purpose
talent, would be sitting out the opening game with an injury.
The Broncos had struggled both on the field and at the gate
since the franchise’s inception and were coming off a 2-11-1 record the
previous year. Former Cleveland Browns star receiver Mac Speedie was elevated
from assistant to head coach during the ’64 season and there had been other
significant changes. Brothers Allan and Gerald Phipps went from minority
stockholders to majority owners with the promise of keeping the team in Denver , and the fans had
responded by buying a record 22,000 season tickets. Two big names were also
added to the roster in FB Cookie Gilchrist, who had worn out his welcome in Buffalo , and HB Abner
Haynes, obtained from the Chiefs. There were still plenty of holes, especially
at quarterback where third-year veteran Mickey Slaughter would be drawing the
opening-game start.
There was a crowd of 27,022 in attendance for the Saturday
night game at Balboa Stadium. They saw the Broncos take the early lead on a
two-yard run by Haynes. While Herb Travenio kicked a 32-yard field goal to get
the home team on the board, Denver
was ahead by 14-3 at the end of the first quarter following a 33-yard touchdown
pass from Slaughter to flanker Bob Scarpitto.
The momentum shifted significantly in the second quarter as
the Chargers exploded with 24 points in 12 minutes. FB Gene Foster, subbing for
Keith Lincoln, started off the barrage with a two-yard touchdown run. Travenio,
who was successful on all of his extra point attempts, added a 25-yard field
goal and then Paul Lowe showed he was back in good form with a 41-yard scoring
run. Foster added a second TD carry of 17 yards and, while Gary Kroner booted a
37-yard field goal for the visitors, the Chargers held a 27-17 lead at the
half.
There was no scoring in the third quarter, but early in the
final period the Broncos cut San Diego ’s
lead to three points after Slaughter threw a screen pass to Gilchrist that the
big fullback turned into a 29-yard touchdown.
The Chargers responded by scoring what would prove to be the
decisive points of the contest. Lance Alworth, who had been making big catches
all night, raced into the end zone to outmaneuver rookie CB Nemiah Wilson for a
38-yard touchdown pass from Hadl. With the successful conversion, it was back
to being a 10-point game.
Still, the Broncos had time and with 10 minutes left, they
again closed to three points on a five-play, 66-yard drive highlighted by
passes to star split end Lionel Taylor and Scarpitto and ending with Slaughter throwing
again to Scarpitto for a 13-yard touchdown.
Late in the game, the Broncos threatened but Gilchrist fumbled
at the San Diego 40 when hit by DT Ernie Ladd and DE Earl Faison recovered for
the Chargers. Hadl threw one last long pass to Alworth, covering 46 yards, and San Diego was then able
to run out the clock and win by a score of 34-31.
With a preponderance of big plays on offense, the Chargers
outgained the Broncos (459 yards to 330), but Denver led in first downs (21 to 19). San Diego turned the ball
over three times, to two suffered by the Broncos, but also came up with four
quarterback sacks while Hadl was dumped just once. Kicking also was a factor as
Herb Travenio was successful on two of his three field goal attempts but Gary
Kroner missed on two of his three tries.
Lance Alworth had a huge performance, catching 7 passes for
211 yards and a touchdown. John Hadl completed 11 of 25 throws for 246 yards
with a TD and an interception. Paul Lowe rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown
on 18 carries and also completed an option pass to Alworth that covered 42
yards. Gene Foster played commendably in place of Keith Lincoln, running for 49
yards on 11 carries that included two scores and also tossing an option pass
for 21 yards.
For the Broncos, Mickey Slaughter was successful on 16 of 27
throws for 214 yards and three touchdowns with none picked off; he also gained
24 yards rushing on four carries. Bob Scarpitto (pictured at right) was his top receiver with 5
catches for 108 yards and two TDs. Cookie Gilchrist ran the ball 17 times for
49 yards and scored on his one 29-yard reception while Abner Haynes contributed
43 yards and a touchdown on 8 carries.
The win signaled another division-winning year for San Diego . The Chargers
went 5-0-2 before losing and ended up with a 9-2-3 record. However, they were
stunned in the AFL Championship game at Balboa Stadium, losing for the second
straight year to the Buffalo Bills by the improbable score of 23-0.
Lance Alworth received All-AFL honors for the third
consecutive year as he led the league in receiving yards (1602) and touchdowns
(14, tied with Don Maynard of the Jets) while catching 69 passes. Paul Lowe set
a new AFL rushing record with 1121 yards on 222 carries (5.0 avg.). John Hadl
proved to be a worthy starting quarterback, leading the league in passing yards
(2798) and yards per attempt (8.0).
The Broncos struggled once again to finish at 4-10. Cookie
Gilchrist was productive, ranking second to Lowe in rushing with 954 yards.
Abner Haynes failed to hold onto the starting job at halfback while Mickey
Slaughter shared the quarterbacking with John McCormick and Jacky Lee. Bob
Scarpitto’s two receiving touchdowns against the Chargers were the first of
five overall as he caught 32 passes for 585 yards (18.5 avg.) and also proved
to be an able punter.
