1963: Big Fourth Down Play Spurs Steelers to Defeat of Cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers were fighting to remain in the NFL Eastern Conference race as they faced the Dallas Cowboys on December 8, 1963. Coached by Buddy Parker, the Steelers featured a capable offense led by strong-armed QB Ed Brown (pictured above) throwing primarily to split end Buddy Dial and flanker Gary Ballman and a running game led by FB John Henry Johnson. The defense was particularly strong at linebacker, where MLB Myron Pottios anchored a capable unit. Pittsburgh had gotten off to a 6-3-1 start but was coming off of two straight ties to be at 6-3-3 and in desperate need of a win to have any chance at finishing first in the conference.

Dallas was a struggling fourth-year expansion team under Head Coach Tom Landry.  QB Don Meredith was still in the developmental stage, splitting time with veteran Eddie LeBaron, and other players who would be part of the team’s future success were on the roster. But at 3-9, the Cowboys were not yet a formidable NFL presence.

It was a clear but windy day at the Cotton Bowl with 24,136 fans in attendance. The Cowboys scored the first two times they had the ball. On their first series, QB Eddie LeBaron completed a pass to TE Pettis Norman for 32 yards to the Pittsburgh 45. While a holding penalty hindered the advance, Dallas came away with a 53-yard field goal by Sam Baker (pictured at left), taking advantage of the brisk wind at his back.

The Steelers responded with a promising drive but a fumble by Ed Brown was recovered by DE George Andrie at the Dallas 37. The Cowboys drove 63 yards in ten plays and Don Meredith ran the last two yards for a touchdown. LeBaron fumbled the snap on the extra point attempt, thus causing the kick to be aborted, but the home team was ahead by 9-0.

Four plays into the second quarter, Brown went long for Buddy Dial, who made a leaping catch along the right sideline and eluded two defenders to go the distance for a 55-yard touchdown. Lou Michaels converted and the Dallas lead was cut to 9-7.

Late in the period, the Steelers came through with consecutive long passes to score again. Brown threw to Gary Ballman for 32 yards and then hit TE Preston Carpenter in the right corner of the end zone for a 28-yard TD. Michaels added the point after and the visitors were up by 14-9. The Steelers got one more shot with time running down in the first half as Brown connected with Dial for 48 yards and, with two seconds remaining, that set up a 24-yard Michaels field goal that made the score 17-9 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Cowboys got a break when a 15-yard face mask penalty on the Steelers moved them into scoring position. Baker was successful with a field goal from 46 yards to narrow the margin to 17-12. Later in the period, Dallas put together a 76-yard advance in eight plays. The biggest was a Meredith throw to Norman that gained 42 yards to the Pittsburgh five and, two plays later, it was Meredith again carrying around end for a four-yard touchdown. Baker converted and the Cowboys were back in front with a 19-17 lead. As the period was coming to a close, it appeared that the Steelers might score, but CB Don Bishop intercepted a Brown pass at the Dallas two to snuff out the threat.

In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys were called for having too many players on the field during a punt by the Steelers, but while the resulting five-yard pickup brought Michaels on to the field to try for a 49-yard field goal, the kick was blocked by Bishop, thus preserving the two-point Dallas lead.

Pittsburgh got the ball back following a punt by the Cowboys, but the situation looked bleak. With the game, and season, on the line, and backed up to his own 16 with four minutes left to play and facing fourth-and-14, Brown passed to end Red Mack (pictured at right) out of punt formation for a gain of 42 yards. Four plays later and facing fourth-and-one, Coach Parker gambled on passing up a field goal attempt and John Henry Johnson picked up the needed yardage. Finally, HB Theron Sapp, in for the injured Dick Hoak, broke away for a 24-yard touchdown with 1:53 remaining. Michaels added the field goal and, in a dramatic turn of events, the visitors were in front by five points.

The Cowboys went to the shotgun formation on the ensuing series but flanker Frank Clarke fumbled after catching a pass from Meredith at the Dallas 34 and SS Clendon Thomas recovered to nail down Pittsburgh’s 24-19 win.

The Steelers led in total yards (426 to 263) and first downs (19 to 15). Their attack was balanced, with 211 yards coming on the ground and 219 through the air. Pittsburgh turned the ball over twice, to one suffered by the Cowboys. The difference nearly came down to placekicking, as Lou Michaels was one of three on field goals with one blocked and Sam Baker was a perfect two-for-two from long distances.

Ed Brown completed just 8 of 18 passes, but they were good for 219 yards and two touchdowns along with one interception. Theron Sapp, picked up from the Eagles during the season, rushed for 119 yards on 20 carries that included the winning TD while John Henry Johnson contributed 68 yards on 21 attempts. Preston Carpenter had three catches for 42 yards and a touchdown and Buddy Dial caught two passes that were good for 103 yards and a score.

For the Cowboys, Don Meredith saw most of the action at quarterback and was five-of-10 for 105 yards with no TDs or interceptions, and he also ran the ball six times for 18 yards and two touchdowns. HB Amos Bullocks topped the runners with 85 yards on 24 attempts and FB Amos Marsh ran the ball 9 times for 48 yards and had a 35-yard catch. Pettis Norman led the club with two pass receptions for 74 yards.

“We knew it was more important than ever to win this one, but it seemed like we just couldn’t get going,” said Theron Sapp. “The turning point was that pass to Red Mack from punt formation. We found new life from that play.”

Pittsburgh’s win set up a showdown with the New York Giants the following week for the Eastern Conference Title. This was a controversial development because the ties, which were not counted in the won-lost percentage at that time, would potentially allow the 7-3-3 Steelers to finish ahead of the 10-3 Giants. However, it became a moot point when the Giants won handily and Pittsburgh dropped all the way to fourth place at 7-4-3. Dallas finished up fifth with a 4-10 record.

As for the two unlikely heroes in Pittsburgh’s dramatic win at Dallas, Theron Sapp’s 119-yard rushing performance was his career high in what was the most productive of seven NFL seasons. He gained a total of 431 yards in 10 games with the Steelers, giving him 452 on 104 carries on the year when combined with his time with the Eagles. In his remaining two seasons with Pittsburgh, he accumulated a total of just 69 rushing yards. Red Mack also had his best season in 1963, catching 25 passes for 618 yards and three touchdowns. He had caught eight passes apiece in each of his first two years with the Steelers in 1961 and ’62 and, in his remaining three seasons that included stints with Philadelphia, Green Bay, and Atlanta, had a total of 11 more pass receptions.

1954: 49ers Withstand Late Rally to Defeat Lions

A showdown between two undefeated NFL Western Conference teams, the San Francisco 49ers (3-0-1) and Detroit Lions (3-0), occurred in San Francisco on October 24, 1954. The 49ers, coached by Buck Shaw, had an outstanding backfield with HB Hugh McElhenny (pictured at right) providing breakaway speed and FB Joe Perry and HB John Henry Johnson formidable power. End Billy Wilson was a fine receiver although QB Y.A. Tittle was playing with a broken left hand.

Detroit had won the last two NFL Championships and was still a powerful club that won its last two games by a combined score of 56-3. Head Coach Buddy Parker’s offense was directed by fiery QB Bobby Layne and contained a good group of runners operating behind an excellent line as well as capable receivers. The defense was solid, particularly with big middle guard Les Bingaman, LB Joe Schmidt, and a defensive backfield led by safety Jack Christiansen and thus dubbed “Chris’ Crew”.

An overthrow crowd of 61,000 fans was in attendance at Kezar Stadium. The 49ers had the game’s first possession and struck quickly. Joe Perry ran for 10 yards and then Hugh McElhenny broke away for a 60-yard touchdown run. Gordie Soltau added the extra point to give San Francisco the early 7-0 advantage.

The Lions turned the ball over on the third play of their ensuing series when Bobby Layne fumbled the snap and DE Jack Brumfield recovered at the Detroit 33. Y.A. Tittle missed on two passes but a defensive holding call on third down kept the 49ers alive. Tittle threw to Billy Wilson for 11 yards and Perry rumbled for five before the drive stalled and Soltau kicked a 20-yard field goal.

Down by 10 points, the Lions couldn’t move on offense and had to punt. McElhenny ran for nine yards and Tittle then threw a play option pass to John Henry Johnson that picked up 34 yards to the Detroit 24. The six-play, 67-yard advance ended with Johnson running 12 yards for a TD and Soltau’s point after had the home team leading by 17-0.

Detroit put together an 80-yard drive that took 19 plays and stretched into the second quarter. HB Bob Hoernschemeyer converted a third-and-four situation with an eight-yard run and FB Lew Carpenter gained four yards on a fourth-and-two play at the San Francisco 20 and five yards when facing third-and-four at the ten. Layne completed six passes, the last to end Jim Doran for a seven-yard touchdown. Doak Walker converted and the score was narrowed to 17-7.

On the first play following the kickoff, the Lions got the ball back when McElhenny fumbled and DE Jim Cain recovered at the San Francisco 36. However, the visitors lost ground and came up empty when Jim Martin’s long field goal attempt fell short. The 49ers had to punt after a short series and Detroit again turned the ball over when Hoernschemeyer fumbled after catching a short pass and safety Johnny Williams recovered at the Detroit 28. Tittle immediately threw to end Bill Jessup for 17 yards and the four-play series concluded with a Tittle pass to Wilson (pictured below) for an eight-yard TD. Soltau converted and once again the 49ers had a 17-point lead at 24-7.

Carpenter took off on a 20-yard run to spark the next drive for the Lions and Layne threw to end Dorne Dibble for 23 yards to the San Francisco 41. A pass to Walker and a run by Hoernschemeyer picked up 11 yards in all but Brumfield and DT Leo Nomellini dumped Layne for a 10-yard loss and, after two long passes fell incomplete, Martin again missed a long try for a field goal.

The Niners immediately advanced into Detroit territory on first down when Johnson took a pitchout and ran for 31 yards to get just past midfield. Perry blasted up the middle for 14 yards, but penalties blunted the promising drive and it was Soltau’s turn to miss a long try for three points.

With time running short in the first half, Layne took to the air and completed successive passes to end Jug Girard for 15 yards, FB Bill Bowman for 11, and Girard again for 26 to the San Francisco 28. Walker kicked a 36-yard field goal and the score was 24-10 at halftime.

The teams traded punts to start the third quarter before the Lions drove 76 yards in 10 plays. The big play came after a penalty and sack put the visitors in a second-and-33 hole at the Detroit 13 as Layne tossed a pass over the middle to Walker that gained 55 yards to the San Francisco 32. Layne was sacked by DT Bob Toneff, which not only resulted in a loss of eight yards but knocked the quarterback out of the game.  Backup QB Tom Dublinski came in and threw a screen pass to Hoernschemeyer for 15 yards and the halfback followed up with a 12-yard carry on third-and-three. Two more passes by Dublinski were incomplete and a third down toss to Carpenter came up a foot short of a first down. Going for it on fourth down, Dublinski connected with Doran in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown and, with Walker’s conversion, the Lions were only seven points behind at 24-17.

McElhenny gave the 49ers good starting field position at the 50 thanks to a 41-yard kickoff return and Johnson followed up with runs of 13 and 9 yards as San Francisco moved methodically down the field. Tittle completed successive nine-yard passes to McElhenny and Perry and Johnson concluded the 13-play series with a one-yard TD. Soltau again added the extra point to extend the Niners’ lead to 31-17.

The Lions were driving as the period came to an end thanks to a Dublinski screen pass to Bowman for 28 yards and a run by Carpenter for 10. However, the series stalled at the San Francisco 25 and Dublinski’s fourth-and-six pass was incomplete. The 49ers took just three plays to move 75 yards to another score.  McElhenny ran for 34 yards on first down, Perry gained six more up the middle, and then Tittle fired long to Wilson, who raced past Jack Christiansen on the way to a 37-yard touchdown. Soltau’s extra point kick hit the crossbar and was no good, but the home team held a 20-point lead at 37-17.

Detroit responded quickly following Girard’s 34-yard kickoff return. Dublinski threw to Walker for 24 yards and then to Dibble for 27 down to the San Francisco two. From there, Hoernschemeyer ran the remaining distance for a TD and Walker’s PAT narrowed the margin to 37-24 with over twelve minutes still to play.

A three-and-out series forced the 49ers to punt and the Lions put together a 77-yard drive in 12 plays. Dublinski completed seven passes, the longest to Dibble for 19 yards. Another throw to Carpenter was good for seven yard in a fourth-and-inches situation at the San Francisco 19 and it was Walker gathering in a pass from Dublinski for a 12-yard touchdown. Walker converted to make it a six-point game.

The 49ers advanced to midfield before having to punt. Christiansen returned the kick 47 yards to the San Francisco 47, but an incomplete pass was followed by Dublinski being sacked by Brumfield for a loss of 14 yards. Another pass was knocked down and the visitors punted. They never got the ball back as Johnson ran for five yards on a third-and-three play and McElhenny gained 16 yards for another first down. San Francisco held on to win by a final score of 37-31. 

Detroit had the edge in total yards (443 to 424) and first downs (27 to 23). The 49ers were especially effective at running the ball, gaining 270 yards. They also recorded four sacks to none by the Lions. Detroit turned the ball over twice and San Francisco once.

Hugh McElhenny gained 126 yards on just seven carries and had the one long touchdown. John Henry Johnson contributed 83 yards on 11 attempts, along with three pass receptions for 45 yards, and Joe Perry gained 51 yards on 15 rushes. Y.A. Tittle completed 13 of 25 passes for 157 yards with two touchdowns and none intercepted. Billy Wilson had four catches for 74 yards and both of the aerial TDs.

For the Lions, Bobby Layne was successful on 17 of 29 throws for 212 yards and a TD with none picked off before having to leave the game. In his place, Tom Dublinski was 14 of 24 for 177 yards and tossed two touchdowns while also giving up no interceptions. Lew Carpenter rushed for 56 yards on 11 carries. Doak Walker (pictured at right) was most effective as a receiver out of the backfield, gaining 129 yards on seven receptions that also included a score. Dorne Dibble gained 91 yards on his three catches.

While the win pulled the 49ers ahead of the Lions, they lost their next three games to fall back into the pack in the Western Conference and ended up in third place with a 7-4-1 record. Meanwhile, Detroit bounced back to reel off five consecutive wins, including a 48-7 thrashing of San Francisco at home, and topped the conference for the third straight year at 9-2-1. There was no third straight NFL title, however, as the Lions were overwhelmed by the Cleveland Browns in the championship game.

Part of San Francisco’s slump came due to the loss of Hugh McElhenny the next week to a shoulder separation, depriving the offense of his speed in the open field. He ended up rushing for 515 yards on just 64 carries for a staggering 8.0 average gain in six games. Joe Perry had a MVP season as he led the league with 1049 yards on 173 attempts (6.1 avg.) and scored eight touchdowns, and John Henry Johnson was runner-up with 681 yards on 129 carries (5.3 avg.) and nine TDs. Perry was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection, and both he and Johnson were chosen to the Pro Bowl.

Bobby Layne came back to pass for 1818 yards and 14 touchdowns while Tom Dublinski started four contests and was successful on 77 of 138 passes (55.8 %) for 1073 yards and eight TDs, giving up seven interceptions. Doak Walker was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice, accumulating 1093 all-purpose yards. Pass receiving accounted for 564 yards of that total, on 32 catches (17.6 avg.). He was also the league’s second-ranked scorer with 106 points.

1956: Lions Hold Off 49ers to Remain Undefeated

The Detroit Lions were undefeated at 5-0 as they faced the San Francisco 49ers on November 4, 1956. Coached by Buddy Parker, the Lions had an offense led by fiery QB Bobby Layne, recovered from a shoulder injury that devastated both him and the team in ’55. Big Leon Hart (6’5”, 255) had been shifted from end to fullback with favorable results and rookie Howard “Hopalong” Cassady, the Heisman Trophy winner out of Ohio State, was at halfback. The tough defense continued to be the key to the team’s success and featured MLB Joe Schmidt and safeties Jack Christiansen and Yale Lary.

The 49ers had a first-year head coach in Frankie Albert, formerly a star quarterback for the team, and were stumbling along at 1-4. Veteran QB Y.A. Tittle had been benched in favor of rookie Earl Morrall but there was still plenty of talent, especially in the backfield and among the receivers. San Francisco had lost a close game to the Lions two weeks earlier in Detroit.

There were 46,706 fans in attendance at Kezar Stadium and they saw a scoreless first quarter. A promising possession for the 49ers ended at the Detroit 10 when FB John Henry Johnson, whose 54-yard carry was the big play in the series, tried to convert a fourth down and was stopped for a four-yard loss.

Early in the second quarter the Lions drove 70 yards in 10 plays. Leon Hart (pictured above), who gained 29 yards on five carries along the way, blasted into the end zone from three yards out to put the visitors on the board. Bobby Layne, now also the team’s placekicker, added the extra point. The lead didn’t hold up for long as HB Joe Arenas took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 90 yards for a TD. Gordie Soltau converted to tie the score.

The Niners then retained possession with a successful onside kick that gave them the ball at the Detroit 47. They advanced 22 yards before Soltau kicked a 30-yard field goal to give San Francisco the lead. Layne kicked a 30-yard field goal for the Lions before the first half was over and the score was tied at 10-10 at halftime.

The Lions went 80 yards to score again in the third quarter, with Hart and “Hopalong” Cassady gaining 58 yards on the ground between them, Layne completed a pass to end Jim Doran for 17 yards, and it was Hart once more reaching paydirt from a yard out. Layne kicked the point after.

San Francisco came right back with a series that led to another Soltau field goal, this time from 40 yards. With five minutes remaining, Hart left the contest with an ankle injury and the Lions began to bog down on offense.

Taking possession at their 11 in the game’s climactic series, the 49ers drove to the Detroit two yard line. But, following a one-yard gain, an apparent dive across the goal line by Johnson was nullified by a penalty. Johnson was tossed for a seven-yard loss on the next play and HB Hugh McElhenny’s option pass into the end zone was intercepted by Jack Christiansen. With less than two minutes remaining, it clinched the win for the Lions by a score of 17-13.

The Lions had the edge in total yards (283 to 246), with 194 yards of that total coming on the ground, and also in first downs (19 to 15). Each team turned the ball over three times.

Leon Hart rushed for 77 yards on 16 carries that included two touchdowns before leaving the game and “Hopalong” Cassady gained 78 yards on 19 attempts. Bobby Layne had trouble with his passing accuracy, completing only 7 of 18 throws for 80 yards, but completions to Jim Doran of 14 and 17 yards kept each of the touchdown drives going. John Henry Johnson (pictured above) accounted for 92 of San Francisco’s 93 rushing yards.

The Lions finally lost for the first time the next week at Washington and ended up second in the Western Conference with a 9-3 record after losing a season-ending game to the Bears in which Layne was knocked out of the contest on a notorious late hit by DE Ed Meadows. San Francisco fell to 1-6 before catching fire and going 4-0-1 to finish out the season at 5-6-1, placing third in the conference.

Bobby Layne was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection as he not only passed well but, thanks to his additional placekicking duties, led the league in scoring with 99 points. Leon Hart was not consistently as strong at fullback as he was against the 49ers, running for 348 yards on 76 carries (4.6 avg.) and five touchdowns. “Hopalong” Cassady was also something of a disappointment, with 97 carries for 413 yards (4.3 avg.) and the less-heralded Gene Gedman supplanted him in the lineup.

John Henry Johnson ran for 301 yards on 80 attempts (3.8 avg.) and remained the third wheel in the San Francisco backfield behind Hugh McElhenny and FB Joe Perry.

1962: Tittle’s 4 TD Passes Propel Giants Past Steelers

The New York Giants, defending champions of the NFL Eastern Conference, were 1-1 as they met the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had the same record, on September 30, 1962. In their second year under Head Coach Allie Sherman, the Giants were an outstanding passing team, with a rejuvenated QB Y.A. Tittle (pictured at right), in his 15^th pro season but second in New York, throwing to split end Del Shofner and Frank Gifford, once a star halfback but, following a year missed due to injury, back as a flanker. The ground game was led by 31-year-old FB Alex Webster, operating behind a good veteran line. The defense was also experienced and a tough and cohesive unit.

Pittsburgh, coached by Buddy Parker for a sixth season, still had QB Bobby Layne, who was a worn but savvy veteran. The offense also featured FB John Henry Johnson and split end Buddy Dial while the defensive line was anchored by DT Ernie Stautner. However, Pittsburgh’s normally good corps of linebackers was depleted by injury and Parker started only two against the Giants, George Tarasovic and Tom Bettis, until Ken Kirk joined them midway through the second quarter while Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb, normally a defensive tackle, lined up at middle guard.

There were 40,916 fans in attendance on a sunny afternoon at Pitt Stadium. Pittsburgh had first possession and drove 84 yards in 12 plays, the highlight of which was a 36-yard carry by John Henry Johnson. HB Joe Womack ran for the last seven yards and a touchdown. Lou Michaels added the extra point and the Steelers held the early 7-0 advantage.

The Giants responded with a good drive of their own, but it stalled in Pittsburgh territory and Don Chandler kicked a 23-yard field goal. CB Brady Keys returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards with a sensational run to give the Steelers good field position at the New York 40. A two-yard loss on an end-around was followed by a 15-yard penalty against the Giants for defensive holding. Bobby Layne (pictured at left) finished the series off with a throw to flanker Red Mack in the corner of the end zone for a 28-yard TD. Michaels again converted and the home team was up by a 14-3 lead at the end of a quarter of play.

Early in the second quarter, safety Jim Patton intercepted a Layne pass and returned it ten yards to the Pittsburgh 38. The Giants advanced to the two, but after being backed up five yards by a penalty, Y.A. Tittle threw to HB Paul Dudley for an 11-yard touchdown. Chandler added the PAT and Pittsburgh’s lead was narrowed to 14-10.

Once again Keys made an outstanding kickoff return for the Steelers, running it back 57 yards this time to the New York 39. They moved inside the ten but they lost sizable yardage to a holding penalty and sack, and settled for a 41-yard Michaels field goal.

In the final two minutes of the half, the Giants came up with a big play when Tittle connected with Alex Webster (pictured at right) on a screen pass, and he went the distance for a 58-yard touchdown. Chandler’s extra point tied the score at 17-17.

The Steelers fought back in what proved to be a wild close to the first half. End Harlon Hill dropped a pass at the New York two and Michaels attempted a 53-yard field goal that was blocked, but HB Dick Hoak recovered for Pittsburgh and ran to the New York 17. With the clock down to seven seconds, the Steelers again lined up for an apparent kick, but instead tried a fake. The resulting pass by holder and backup QB Ed Brown was intercepted in the end zone by safety Allan Webb and the score remained tied at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Keys intercepted a Tittle pass at his own 43 and the Steelers took advantage as Michaels capped the ensuing series with a 33-yard field goal. The home team was back in front by 20-17. 

New York responded with a scoring drive of its own. Tittle passed the Giants down the field and threw to a well-covered Frank Gifford, who pulled the pass away from safety Clendon Thomas for a 27-yard TD. Chandler’s conversion put the visitors in front for the first time by a score of 21-20. The Steelers threatened again late in the period, but a Michaels field goal try from 42 yards was short.

In the early seconds of the fourth quarter, Tittle threw to split end Del Shofner for a 16-yard touchdown. The Steelers fought back, helped by penalties on New York for roughing the passer and pass interference, and Johnson leaped the last yard for a TD. Michaels was good on the extra point to put Pittsburgh four points behind.

As the time wound down in the game, and with the home crowd cheering wildly, the Steelers again drove into scoring position. But after reaching the New York 16, a Layne pass into the end zone that was intended for Buddy Dial was instead intercepted by CB Erich Barnes to seal the 31-27 win for the Giants.

New York accumulated the most total yards (427 to 317) although the Steelers held the edge in first downs (23 to 19). Pittsburgh did a good job defensively against New York’s running game, at least until the fourth quarter, holding the Giants to 95 yards on 27 attempts while gaining 175 yards themselves. However, the Steelers also turned the ball over three times, including the climactic interception in the fourth quarter, to one suffered by New York. The Giants also recorded three sacks while Pittsburgh had none.

Y.A. Tittle completed 17 of 29 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns while giving up one interception. Alex Webster led the Giants with 77 rushing yards on nine carries and also in pass receiving with 5 catches for 101 yards and a TD. Frank Gifford gained 99 yards on four receptions that included a score. 

  

For the Steelers, Bobby Layne was successful on 12 of 23 throws for 166 yards and a TD as well as two interceptions. John Henry Johnson rushed for 113 yards on 20 attempts that included a touchdown. TE Preston Carpenter had 5 receptions for 44 yards while Buddy Dial accumulated 70 yards on his four catches. Brady Keys (pictured below) averaged 36.8 yards on five kickoff returns that included two of 55 and 57 yards.

Two weeks later, the teams met again at Yankee Stadium and Pittsburgh prevailed, but it was the only loss for the Giants the rest of the way. New York posted a 12-2 record to again top the Eastern Conference, although the Giants still came up short against Green Bay in the NFL title game. The Steelers were a mediocre 3-4 at the season’s halfway point before catching fire and winning six of their last seven games to place second in the conference at 9-5. They appeared in the Playoff Bowl, the postseason exhibition game for second place teams during that era, and lost to Detroit.

Y.A. Tittle received MVP honors from United Press International as well as consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl recognition as he passed for 3224 yards and a league-record 33 touchdown passes (Houston’s George Blanda passed for 36 in the AFL in 1961, a mark that Tittle would match in ’63). Alex Webster rushed for 743 yards on 207 carries (3.6 avg.) and caught 47 passes for another 477 yards (10.1 avg.), for 1220 yards from scrimmage and a total of nine TDs.

In his last season, Bobby Layne threw for 1686 yards and nine touchdowns and left the NFL as the career leader in several major passing categories. John Henry Johnson enjoyed a big year in his ninth season, rushing for 1141 yards and gaining selection to the Pro Bowl.

1954: Harlon Hill Stars as Bears Topple 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers were 4-0-1 and leading the Western Conference as they hosted the Chicago Bears on October 31, 1954. Coached by Buck Shaw, the 49ers had a potent offense directed by QB Y.A. Tittle throwing to end Billy Wilson or handing off to an outstanding group of running backs that included halfbacks Hugh McElhenny, who came into the game as the NFL’s rushing leader, and John Henry Johnson plus FB Joe Perry.

The Bears, coached by “The Papa Bear”, George Halas, were struggling at 2-3, having dropped their last two games. Rookie end Harlon Hill (pictured above), out of little Florence State College in Alabama, was proving to be a potent deep threat and there were promising rookies on the line in OT Stan Jones and C Larry Strickland. San Francisco had beaten the Bears two weeks earlier in Chicago by a 31-24 score.

There were 49,833 fans on hand at Kezar Stadium. The teams traded punts to start off the game. On Chicago’s second series, HB Billy Stone fumbled and DE Marion Campbell recovered for the 49ers. San Francisco wasted no time in cashing in on the break as Y.A. Tittle threw to Billy Wilson for a 32-yard touchdown on the next play. Gordie Soltau added the extra point.

The Bears came right back with a seven-play drive that covered 80 yards. Stone and FB Chick Jagade ran effectively and Blanda threw to Stone for a 14-yard gain. Finally, a Blanda throw to Harlon Hill went 47 yards for a TD and, following Blanda’s successful conversion, the score was tied at 7-7.

In the closing minutes of the opening period, the 49ers drove into Chicago territory. On the first play of the second quarter, John Henry Johnson sliced through the line and then cut to his left on the way to a 38-yard touchdown. Soltau was again successful on the PAT to put the Niners back in front by seven points.

On Chicago’s next play from scrimmage, Blanda again threw to Hill, this time picking up 39 yards to the San Francisco 41. Runs by Stone and Jagade picked up nine yards and, going for it on fourth down, the 49ers were penalized for defensive holding. Moved back by a penalty themselves, the Bears reached the 35 before Blanda misfired on two passes and then was short on a 42-yard field goal attempt.

Both teams were stymied on offense and traded punts until a Blanda pass was intercepted by DT Al Carapella, who returned it 27 yards to the Chicago 40. Joe Perry ran for nine yards, another 15 yards were tacked on due to a personal foul penalty on the Bears, and then Hugh McElhenny broke away for a 16-yard touchdown run. Soltau’s kick put San Francisco ahead by 21-7. The Bears were forced to punt from near midfield on their next series and Tittle passed the Niners into Chicago territory before time ran out in the first half.

The Bears punted following a short series to start the third quarter but got the ball back three plays later when safety Stan Wallace intercepted a Tittle pass. However, after Jagade ran for nine yards, Blanda was sacked for a loss of 13 and his long pass intended for end Jim Dooley fell incomplete, forcing Chicago to punt.

The 49ers had good starting field position at the Chicago 47. McElhenny immediately took off for a 20-yard gain, but facing a third-and-five situation, Tittle’s pass bounced off Wilson’s hands and was intercepted by DHB S.J. Whitman, who returned it 27 yards with another 15 added on for a personal foul. Now with the Bears having the good starting field position at the San Francisco 48, they took advantage by scoring in seven plays. Jagade and HB John Hoffman had good runs that set up Blanda’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Hill. Blanda’s extra point narrowed the margin to 21-14.

The 49ers reached midfield on their next series, but when Perry was a yard short on a third-and-three running play, they had to punt. The third quarter ended with the Bears methodically moving the ball and Blanda passed them into San Francisco territory in the early stages of the final period. He completed passes to Dooley for 15 yards, to end Bill McColl for 11 in a second-and-ten situation, and to Jagade for 15 yards to the eight yard line on a third-and-eight play. However, three passes from there were incomplete and the Bears had to settle for a Blanda field goal from 15 yards.

In response, San Francisco put together a long drive. It stalled early, but a punt was nullified when the Bears were penalized for having 12 men on the field, and Tittle (pictured above) took advantage of the break to throw long to McElhenny for 36 yards to the Chicago 24. Two plays later, and facing third-and-11, Tittle connected with Wilson for 17 yards. The Bears stiffened on defense and the 49ers also had to settle for a field goal by Soltau from 16 yards, but the home team’s lead was now 24-17.

Blanda filled the air with passes on the next series, hitting McColl for 17 yards and converting a third-and-12 play with a 22-yard completion to Hill. Dooley made an outstanding catch of a Blanda pass on the next play to pick up 30 yards to the San Francisco 15 and, after a short throw to Hoffman picked up four, Blanda threw to Hill, who grabbed the ball away from DB Bill Jessup at the goal line for an 11-yard touchdown. The 82-yard drive was capped by Blanda’s all-important extra point that tied the score at 24-24.

There were less than four minutes to play as the 49ers started the next series at their 20. Keeping the ball on the ground, they faced a fourth-and-one situation that Perry successfully converted with a two-yard gain. Tittle was sacked and then threw an incomplete pass, but on third-and-14, he connected with HB Pete Schabarum for a 42-yard gain to the Chicago 31. Two plays later, and in the face of a heavy rush, Tittle completed a pass to Johnson for 14 yards and, two plays after that, Soltau kicked a 17-yard field goal. It looked good for the 49ers, who were ahead by 27-24 with 36 seconds remaining on the clock.

DE Ed Sprinkle covered the short kickoff at the Chicago 34. Strong-armed backup QB Ed Brown, setting up wide and taking a lateral from Blanda, fired long for Hill, who gathered in the pass without breaking stride at the San Francisco 25 and raced to the end zone for an electrifying 66-yard touchdown – his fourth of the game. Blanda added the extra point, and the game ended with the 49ers at their own 36. The Bears came away with a stunning 31-27 win.

Chicago led in total yards (469 to 388) while both teams generated 21 first downs. They also each turned the ball over twice and were penalized four times. Harlon Hill was the star of the game with his 7 catches for 214 yards and the four touchdowns.

Hugh McElhenny suffered a shoulder separation in the fourth quarter and was lost for the season, which would prove to be a big blow for the 49ers. They lost three of their next four contests and ended up at 7-4-1 and third in the Western Conference. The Bears, meanwhile, found their stride and lost only once more to finish in second place at 8-4.

Harlon Hill continued to excel in his first year, ranking second in the league with 1124 yards on his 45 catches for a NFL-high 12 touchdowns and 25.0 yards per catch. He was selected to the Pro Bowl. George Blanda, in his sixth of an eventual 26 pro seasons, was limited to eight games due to injury and threw for 1929 yards and 15 TDs with 17 interceptions while connecting on 8 of 16 field goal attempts and all 23 of his extra point tries.

1960: Steelers Obtain John Henry Johnson From Lions

On April 11, 1960 the Detroit Lions traded FB John Henry Johnson to the team that originally drafted him, the Pittsburgh Steelers, for two draft choices (a 3rd round selection in 1961, used to pick OT Dick Mills from Pitt, and a 4th round selection in 1962 that went toward OT John Lomakoski of Western Michigan). As a 30-year-old running back whose production had diminished over the previous two seasons, it hardly seemed that obtaining Johnson was any sort of bargain for the Steelers.

“That’s the best we could get for him,” said Detroit Head Coach George Wilson. “We tried to make other deals but we had to settle for future draft picks.” (Neither Mills nor Lomakoski proved to be of consequence for the Lions).

After playing collegiately at little St. Mary’s College in California and - after that school dropped its football program - Arizona State, Johnson was a second-round pick of the Steelers in 1953, but never played for them (although they paid for a knee operation). He instead went to the Calgary Stampeders in Canada for a year before finally coming to the NFL in 1954 with the 49ers, who had dealt for his rights.

In San Francisco, Johnson was part of what was referred to as “The Million Dollar Backfield” along with HB Hugh McElhenny, FB Joe Perry, and QB Y.A. Tittle. It was an outstanding group, but it was also difficult for Johnson to get many carries with the other veteran backs that were available. He gained 681 yards on 129 carries (5.3 avg.) with nine touchdowns in ’54 and caught 28 passes for another 183 yards, gaining selection to the Pro Bowl. However, over the next two years he accumulated just 370 yards on 99 rushing attempts and had ten pass receptions for 96 yards. He also played as a defensive halfback and distinguished himself for his ferociousness as both a blocking back on offense and as a tackler in the defensive backfield.

Traded to the Lions in 1957, Johnson played well for the team that ultimately won the NFL title. He gained 621 yards on 129 attempts, caught 20 passes, and added his blocking ability to the offense. But once again, as in San Francisco, a good year was followed by two mediocre ones (524 yards rushing and 14 catches in 19 games).

There was also some controversy as Johnson was fined $1000 and suspended for a week in 1959 for missing the team plane to return from a West Coast trip. While the fine was later lifted, his days in Detroit were clearly numbered. Nick Pietrosante, a promising rookie in ’59, and third-year veteran Ken Webb were available to play fullback for the Lions, and Johnson was considered expendable.

Johnson joined two ex-Lions, QB Bobby Layne and HB Tom Tracy, under former Detroit head coach Buddy Parker in Pittsburgh (where Parker continued his practice of relying on veteran players), and despite his advanced age (for a running back), went on to have the most productive seasons of his career with the Steelers.

In combination with Tracy, Johnson helped give Pittsburgh a solid running game in 1960 (the team ranked 4th in both rushing yards and average), gaining 621 yards, with a healthy 5.3-yards per carry. Along the way, he had a 182-yard performance late in the season against the Eagles, which included an 87-yard run that was the longest in the NFL that year. In ’61, he carried the ball over 200 times (213) for the first time in his career and had 787 yards along with 24 pass receptions.

The Steelers contended in 1962, finishing second in the Eastern Conference with a 9-5 record, and Johnson finished second in rushing with 1141 yards on 251 carries (4.5 avg.) and caught 32 passes for another 226 yards at the age of 33 (which he turned in November). He had four hundred-yard games along the way and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time since his rookie year.

Pittsburgh contended again in ’63, and Johnson played a key role by rushing for 773 yards. However, there was some controversy as he removed himself from games after suffering an ankle injury early in the season and wasn’t always in agreement with Coach Parker as to when he was ready to return. The Steelers missed his inside running when he was out of the lineup. Johnson nevertheless was a strong performer when in action and again was named to the Pro Bowl.

Prior to the 1964 season, Parker announced that Johnson, now 34 years old, would not be the starting fullback. However, Johnson not only started but gained 1048 yards on 235 attempts (4.5 avg.). In a game at Cleveland, he compiled an even 200 rushing yards on 30 carries, three of them for touchdowns. For the third straight year, he was a Pro Bowl selection.

His career with the Steelers came to an abrupt end in the first quarter of the first game of the ’65 season when he tore knee ligaments against Green Bay and was sidelined for the remainder of the year. When conflict flared between Johnson and the Steelers management during the ensuing offseason, he was released and played one last year with the AFL’s Houston Oilers before retiring.

While his career, especially in San Francisco and Detroit, seemed to move sporadically, by the time of his retirement he had gained 6577 yards (4381 of that with the Steelers) to rank fourth all-time in NFL history (adding the 226 yards gained in the AFL, his total was 6803). He was held in equally great esteem for his blocking and was a tough competitor. Perhaps most remarkable was his rushing production in his thirties, normally a time when pro running backs are at the end of their effectiveness. He was eventually enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, gaining induction in 1987.