The Birmingham Americans were undefeated at 6-0 as they
took on the reeling Jacksonville Sharks in a World Football League game on August
21, 1974. Head Coach Jack Gotta’s team featured ten-year veteran George Mira at
quarterback and, as his backup, Matthew Reed (pictured above), who was proving to be effective
coming off the bench. Reed, a big quarterback at 6’4” and 230 pounds, had been
a very productive passer at Grambling but could only get tryouts at tight end
in the NFL with Buffalo, Denver, and New Orleans, and was originally signed by
the Americans at that position. Both quarterbacks were helped by the presence
of two productive wide receivers in Dennis Homan and Alfred Jenkins.
For the Sharks, it was the first game for Charlie Tate as
head coach in place of Bud Asher, who was dismissed after the team’s record
dropped to 2-4 the previous week. RB Tommy Durrance was leading the WFL in
rushing with 443 yards, and rookie Reggie Oliver from the University of Miami
was a promising quarterback, when healthy. But while there was plenty of
experience on the roster, the Sharks were having trouble winning close
contests.
It was a rainy Wednesday night at the Gator Bowl with
27,140 fans in attendance. Neither offense performed well during the first
half. Grant Guthrie kicked a field goal from 31 yards late in the first quarter
to stake the Sharks to the lead and added another from 51 yards in the third
quarter. Five times during the first three periods the Jacksonville defense
stopped Birmingham drives inside its 25 yard line. Safety Ron Coppenbarger had
two fumble recoveries and an interception to cap three of those stops.
The score remained 6-0 heading into the fourth quarter,
at which point the steady rain finally stopped. In addition, Matthew Reed had
come in at quarterback for the Americans after George Mira reinjured his ankle.
Early in the final period, Reed connected with Alfred
Jenkins for a 27-yard touchdown that finished off a five-play, 40-yard series.
The Americans failed to add the action point, but were ahead by 7-6 (in the
WFL, touchdowns counted for seven points and were followed by an “action point”
that could not be kicked).
The teams exchanged punts before Jacksonville put together
an 88-yard drive that put them ahead by 14-7 with just over a minute remaining.
Tommy Durrance ran the final five yards for the touchdown, to the delight of
the home crowd. The series included a successful fourth down conversion in
their own territory and Reggie Oliver completed four passes along the way. The
Sharks failed to add the action point, but were in front and seemed poised for
an upset.
The ensuing kickoff was short and returned to the
Jacksonville 47 by RB Jimmy Edwards, who nearly broke free. With time running
down, Reed tossed a screen pass to HB Paul Robinson for 11 yards and a throw to
WR Denny Duron gained another 11. Reed, under pressure, completed a pass to TE
Jim Bishop that picked up 19 yards to the Jacksonville six and, three plays
later, the Americans scored again with 19 seconds left on the clock when FB
Charlie Harraway bulled over for a touchdown from two yards out. Reed rolled
out and ran for the all-important action point and the Americans pulled out the
dramatic win by a final score of 15-14.
Birmingham outgained the Sharks (315 yards to 200) and
had more first downs (19 to 12). The Americans turned the ball over three
times, to two suffered by Jacksonville.
Reed completed 7 of 12 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown
with no interceptions. George Mira was successful on just 6 of 17 throws for 68
yards and was picked off once. Jimmy Edwards rushed for 62 yards on 9 carries
and Charlie Harraway was right behind at 60 yards on 13 attempts that included
a TD. Dennis Homan caught four passes for 55 yards and Alfred Jenkins
contributed three catches for 48 yards and a score.
For the Sharks, Reggie Oliver made good on 7 of 17 passes
for 108 yards and was intercepted twice. Tommy Durrance gained 42 yards on 16
rushing attempts that included a touchdown and RB Ricky Lake accumulated 35
yards on 13 carries. WR Tom Whittier caught three passes for 61 yards.
“It was a superlative effort by Matthew Reed that kept us
unbeaten,” summed up Coach Jack Gotta. “He’s one of the great pure passers in
football.”
Birmingham went on to place second in the Central
Division at 15-5 and proceeded to win the first (and only) WFL Championship.
The Sharks failed to last the season. Despite respectable fan support, the team
was woefully mismanaged and folded after fourteen weeks with a 4-10 record.
Matthew Reed continued to excel in a relief role at
quarterback and passed for 1345 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 176
yards on 40 carries that included three for scores.
