1968: Sayers Runs for 205 Yards & Bears Defeat Packers on Free Kick

The Green Bay Packers had won three straight NFL Championships but were struggling at 3-3-1 as they hosted their biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears, on November 3, 1968. Vince Lombardi had stepped down as head coach in favor of long-time defensive assistant Phil Bengtson, and age and injuries were catching up to the once-great club. To be sure, QB Bart Starr was still formidable at age 34, if also more prone to injury, and flanker Carroll Dale a dependable receiver. The defense remained tough and contained familiar names like MLB Ray Nitschke, CB Herb Adderley, and FS Willie Wood. But there were holes inadequately filled and the lack of a dependable placekicker to succeed the retired Don Chandler was one of them.

The Bears had a new head coach as well in Jim Dooley, with George Halas having finally retired from sideline duty (he remained the owner). They had gotten off to a poor start but were winners of their last two games and had a 3-4 record coming into Green Bay. Young and mobile QB Virgil Carter was performing well since taking over the starting role initially vacated by the injured Jack Concannon, but the key to the offense was outstanding HB Gale Sayers (pictured above).

There were 50,861 fans in attendance at Lambeau Field. In the first quarter, the Packers had the first shot as Bart Starr threw to HB Donny Anderson, who gained 26 yards before being tripped up by SS Richie Petitbon. But they came up empty when, four plays later, Errol Mann missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. Green Bay missed another opportunity midway through the second quarter as Mann again failed on a field goal attempt, this time from 29 yards.

The Bears were not getting near scoring territory until, late in the second quarter, Gale Sayers broke away as he ran wide to the right and then cut against the grain for a 63-yard carry to the Green Bay 17. That set up a 10-yard Mac Percival field goal for the first points of the game and gave the Bears a 3-0 lead at halftime.

Sayers returned the second half kickoff 46 yards to give Chicago favorable starting field position at the Green Bay 44. Eleven plays later, Virgil Carter bootlegged the last two yards for a touchdown, taking advantage of the defense keying on Sayers. Percival added the extra point and the visitors were ahead by 10-0.

Down by ten points, the Packers put together an 81-yard drive in seven plays, culminating in Starr throwing long to Carroll Dale, who beat FS Roosevelt Taylor for a 50-yard TD. Chuck Mercein, normally a fullback but relieving the injured and ineffective Errol Mann, added the point after and the score was narrowed to 10-7. The Packers got a break when Chicago next had to punt and Jon Kilgore’s shanked 17-yard kick gave them the ball at their 41. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Mercein tied the score with a 19-yard field goal.

On the ensuing kickoff, WR Dick Gordon muffed the ball and had to scramble into the end zone to recover it. But while two officials initially signaled a safety, the play was ruled a touchback and the Bears started out at the 20. The Packers regained possession when CB Bob Jeter intercepted a Carter pass at midfield, but on the series that followed Anderson fumbled when hit by LB Dick Butkus and LB Jim Purnell recovered at the Chicago 42.

The Bears had the next opportunity when a 21-yard Sayers run moved them into scoring territory, but LB Lee Roy Caffey blocked Percival’s field goal attempt from 29 yards. Green Bay received a further break when, on the next possession by the Bears, Sayers fumbled at the Chicago 39 and Herb Adderley recovered and returned it to the 14. Anderson ran the ball three times and Mercein tried for a field goal from the 22, but it missed wide.

There was an exchange of punts before a Donny Anderson kick into the wind from deep in his own territory traveled only 28 yards. WR Cecil Turner of the Bears called a free catch at the Green Bay 43 and, with 26 seconds left on the clock, Chicago chose to attempt a rare free kick from the point of the catch. Percival came through with a 43-yard field goal and the Bears won by a final score of 13-10.

Chicago had the edge in total yards (328 to 242) and first downs (18 to 12). While completing only five passes, the Bears gained 291 yards on the ground. However, they also turned the ball over three times, to one by Green Bay, and were flagged for 10 penalties as opposed to two called on the Packers. Green Bay was also hurt by a combined three missed field goals in four attempts by Errol Mann and Chuck Mercein.

Gale Sayers had a big performance, rushing for 205 yards on 24 carries, with 118 on 10 attempts in the first half alone, although he also fumbled three times. Virgil Carter completed 5 of 14 passes for 51 yards and gave up two interceptions, but ran the ball 11 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. HB Brian Piccolo, who gained a modest seven yards on five rushing attempts, was Chicago’s leading pass receiver with a mere two catches for 19 yards.

For the Packers, Bart Starr was successful on 10 of 18 throws for 154 yards and a TD with no interceptions. HB Elijah Pitts ran for 43 yards on 10 attempts in addition to catching four passes for 33 yards. Carroll Dale gained a team-leading 74 yards on three pass receptions that included a touchdown.

“He’s fantastic,” said Green Bay’s Coach Bengtson of Gale Sayers. “I’ve seen him have good days, but this has to be the best.”

Sayers extended his NFL rushing total to 824 yards with his career-high performance against the Packers, but disaster struck the following week against the 49ers when he went down with a season-ending knee injury. The Bears faltered but remained in the Central Division race until suffering a one-point loss to Green Bay in the season finale that left them in second place with a 7-7 record. That was still better than the Packers, who suffered their first losing season in ten years, ending up at 6-7-1.

1968: Vikings Defeat Error-Prone Packers

A promising team, the Minnesota Vikings, took on the defending NFL Champions, the Green Bay Packers, in the second week of the NFL season on September 22, 1968. Both had won their openers comfortably, with the Vikings thrashing the Falcons 47-7 and the Packers defeating the Eagles 30-13.

The Vikings, coming off of a 3-8-3 record in Head Coach Bud Grant’s first year, had the makings of a good young defense and there was talent on offense as well, although the passing game was a concern. QB Joe Kapp (pictured above) joined Minnesota from the CFL early in ’67 and provided toughness and fiery leadership, if not great throwing talent. QB Gary Cuozzo was obtained from New Orleans at a high price in the offseason to provide another option, but it was Kapp behind center to start the season. It was hoped that one of the second-year wide receivers, Gene Washington or Bob Grim, would step up while the corps of running backs, operating behind a good line, was productive. However, the team’s top rusher of 1967, HB Dave Osborn, was out with a knee injury.

Green Bay was coming off of three straight NFL Championships and wins in the first two Super Bowls. Head Coach Vince Lombardi had stepped aside in favor of former assistant coach Phil Bengtson, although he stayed on as general manager. Many key veterans, starting with QB Bart Starr, remained and the lineup contained younger talent such as HB Donny Anderson and guard Gale Gillingham, but age and attrition were concerns.

There were 49,346 fans on hand at Milwaukee’s County Stadium. The Vikings had the first possession and advanced 67 yards, but after reaching the Green Bay six, a pass by Joe Kapp was tipped by MLB Ray Nitschke and OLB Dave Robinson intercepted it in the end zone. While WR Tom Hall managed to knock the ball loose as he slammed into Robinson, CB Bob Jeter recovered for the Packers.

Bart Starr had a 21-yard pass completion to Donny Anderson nullified by a penalty and, the next time he went to the air, FS Paul Krause intercepted to regain possession for the Vikings at the Green Bay 34. Ten plays later, FB Bill Brown (pictured below) ran for a one-yard touchdown and Fred Cox added the extra point.

The Packers came up empty on their next series and, following a punt, the Vikings again put together a solid drive of 74 yards in eight plays. Brown again finished the series off with a TD run, this time covering 10 yards, and Cox converted for a 14-0 lead.

The Packers, starting from their own 26 after the kickoff, were moved back to the 11 due to an offensive pass interference penalty and then Starr, fading back into his end zone, was tackled by DT Alan Page and DE Jim Marshall for a safety. The score remained 16-0 at the half.

The Packers started off the third quarter with an 11-play, 66-yard drive. Starr, under heavy pressure, rolled out and completed a pass to WR Boyd Dowler for 18 yards to the Minnesota 31 and, five plays later, the veteran quarterback got Green Bay on the board by running out of the pocket for a 10-yard touchdown. Jerry Kramer’s extra point attempt hit the right upright and was unsuccessful, but the Packers were now down by just ten points and showing signs of life.

A key play came on the next Minnesota series after Bill Brown came up inches short on a third down run to his own 26. The Vikings elected to try and convert on fourth down and Kapp kept the ball himself and plowed into the middle of the line. He was hit by Nitschke, moved to his right, and fought for distance before being stopped standing up. The crowd as well as the Green Bay defense thought Kapp had been stopped short, but a measurement showed that he got the first down by the barest of margins. Seven plays later, HB Clint Jones ran four yards for a touchdown and Cox again converted to put the visitors up by 23-6.

It proved to be the clinching series of the game for Minnesota. With the defense keeping the Packers in check and the offense controlling the ball, the Vikings added to the margin before the period was over when Cox kicked a 29-yard field goal. Green Bay was able to score a late, meaningless touchdown in the fourth quarter as Starr connected with Dale from seven yards out, and Kramer added the point after.  Minnesota won by a final score of 26-13.

The teams were even at 242 yards apiece in total yards with the Vikings holding the edge in first downs (20 to 18). The Packers turned the ball over twice, to one suffered by Minnesota, and were penalized eight times at a cost of 90 yards, typically at critical times, while the Vikings were flagged four times.

Joe Kapp didn’t go to the air often, completing 9 of 15 passes for 138 yards and no touchdowns while giving up an interception. Bill Brown rushed for 74 yards on 17 carries that included two TDs while FB Jim Lindsey contributed 33 yards on 11 attempts. WR Gene Washington topped the Minnesota receivers with three catches for 67 yards.

For the Packers, Bart Starr was successful on 14 of 22 throws for 148 yards and a TD while being intercepted twice. Donny Anderson (pictured above) ran for 37 yards on 9 carries and caught three passes for 24 yards. Carroll Dale had 5 catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.

The game marked something of a passing of the torch between the Central Division rivals. Green Bay, which had won five NFL titles under Vince Lombardi and finished no lower than second place in any of the preceding eight seasons (which meant the entire Western Conference prior to the introduction of the divisions in 1967), struggled to a 6-7-1 record that placed third in the division. The Vikings, who swept the season series with the Packers, initially had problems as well but won five of their last seven games to go 8-6 and capture the franchise’s first division title ever. Minnesota went on to dominate the Central Division over the next decade, and while Green Bay had a postseason appearance in 1972, the Packers endured seven losing records during the same time span.

1968: Starr-to-Dale TDs Lead Packers to Win Over College All-Stars

The Green Bay Packers, defending champions of the NFL, were under a new head coach as they faced the College All-Stars on August 2, 1968 for the benefit of Chicago charities. Vince Lombardi, having led the club to five league titles, including the last three in a row (and wins in the first two Super Bowls), handed over the reins to defensive assistant Phil Bengtson, although he remained Green Bay’s general manager and was watching from the press box. After having been upset by an All-Star squad in 1963, the Packers had thrashed the collegians by a combined score of 65-0 in 1966 and ’67.

Green Bay still had an effective, if aging, veteran core, with the offense directed by QB Bart Starr (pictured above) behind a solid line and the defense containing stalwarts such as DE Willie Davis, DT Henry Jordan, MLB Ray Nitschke, CB Herb Adderley, and FS Willie Wood. If there was a major question at this early stage, it was who would handle the placekicking following the retirement of Don Chandler.

Norm Van Brocklin, former star quarterback in the NFL and first head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, coached the College All-Stars. The roster contained the usual assortment of future pro stars that included C Bob Johnson from Tennessee, USC tackle Ron Yary, TE Charlie Sanders of Minnesota, and running backs Larry Csonka from Syracuse and MacArthur Lane of Utah State on offense, while the defense had Tennessee State DE Claude Humphrey, DT Curly Culp of Arizona State, and Texas-El Paso LB Fred Carr.

There were 69,917 fans in attendance for the Friday night game at Soldier Field. Getting the ball for their second series of the game, the Packers were pinned deep at their three yard line after a 55-yard punt by Jerry DePoyster of Wyoming. However, Bart Starr faked a handoff and then threw to HB Elijah Pitts down the middle. Pitts broke away for a 72-yard gain to the All-Star 26, finally being hauled down by Fred Carr (Green Bay’s first-round draft pick). Six plays later, HB Donny Anderson scored the first touchdown of the game from a yard out and Jerry Kramer kicked the extra point.

Twenty seconds into the second quarter, Starr threw to flanker Carroll Dale (pictured at left) for a 20-yard TD to conclude a 12-play, 89-yard drive. Kramer again added the point after. Later in the period, the Packers went 73 yards in four plays, with Starr connecting with Dale for another touchdown, this time covering 36 yards. Kramer’s third PAT made it a 21-0 score.

The All-Stars, who relied heavily on the running of Syracuse FB Larry Csonka in the first half, responded by driving to a 22-yard field goal by DePoyster. It wasn’t much, but it was the first time a group of All-Stars had put points on the board in three years. Green Bay scored once more at the end of the half as newly-acquired PK Wade Traynham kicked a 30-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the All-Stars got a break when Green Bay FB Jim Grabowski fumbled the ball away at his own 37. After Csonka pounded away for a total of 30 yards, QB Gary Beban, a scrambler out of UCLA, threw a fourth down pass to WR Earl McCullouch from USC for a seven-yard touchdown. DePoyster kicked the extra point and Green Bay’s lead was narrowed to 24-10.

The Packers came back with another score, however, with Starr once again connecting with Dale on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 13-yard TD. Kramer converted. Later Kramer, who missed on a 45-yard field goal attempt, was good from 47 yards out, setting a new record for the All-Star Game and giving Green Bay a commanding lead.

Down 34-10, the All-Stars fought back, advancing 76 yards with Massachusetts QB Greg Landry throwing to McCullouch (pictured below) for a 24-yard touchdown. DePoyster kicked the point after, and while it brought cheers from the crowd, it proved to be the game’s last score. The Packers won handily by a final tally of 34-17.

The Packers led in total yards (381 to 312), although the All-Stars outgained Green Bay on the ground by 206 yards to 88. The pro champs also had the edge in first downs (20 to 17). The All-Stars turned the ball over four times, to one suffered by Green Bay.

Bart Starr completed 17 of 23 passes, including ten in a row at one point, for 288 yards and three touchdowns with none intercepted. Carroll Dale had 6 catches for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Donny Anderson led the Packers with 64 rushing yards on 11 attempts, one of which was good for a TD.

Greg Landry was successful on 7 of 14 throws for 79 yards and a TD with one picked off and Gary Beban went three of six for 27 yards and a touchdown but also gave up two interceptions. Larry Csonka rushed for 95 yards on 18 carries.

“He had a terrific night,” said Coach Van Brocklin of the All-Stars regarding Bart Starr’s performance. “He picked us apart.”

Green Bay’s win put the pro champs ahead in the series by 24 to 9 with two ties. It was the sixth win in eight appearances for the Packers, and would turn out to be their last. High expectations for the team to remain at the top were dashed as the Packers slipped to 6-7-1 with age and injuries, including one to Starr’s arm, ultimately taking a toll.

Larry Csonka joined the Miami Dolphins of the AFL and, after a slow start, went on to rush for 8081 yards in the AFL and NFL, gain selection to five Pro Bowls, and ultimately earn enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Earl McCullouch had the more immediate pro success with the Detroit Lions, earning consensus Rookie of the Year honors after catching 40 passes for 680 yards and five touchdowns (two of which came against the Packer). His career took a downward course thereafter and he ended up with just 124 pass receptions in seven NFL seasons.