Highlighted Year: Mike Cofer, 1988

Placekicker, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 24

2^nd season in pro football, 1^st with 49ers

College: North Carolina State

Height: 6’1”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

In college, Cofer connected on 50 of 68 field goal attempts (73.5 %), topping the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1984 (18) and ’86 (13), and 97 of 108 PATs (89.8 %) for a total of 247 points. Undrafted in 1987, he signed with the Cleveland Browns and barely lost out to Jeff Jaeger in the preseason. He was a replacement player with New Orleans during the season and then signed with the 49ers in 1988 and won the placekicking job in the preseason, impressing with his leg strength.

1988 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Kicking

Field goals – 27 [3, tied with Nick Lowery, 1^st in NFC]

Most field goals, game – 3 at Phoenix 11/6, vs. New Orleans 12/11, vs. LA Rams 12/18

Field goal attempts – 38 [1]

Most field goal attempts, game – 4 at NY Giants 9/11, at Seattle 9/25, at Atlanta 12/4

Field goal percentage – 71.1 [17]

PATs – 40 [7, tied with Chip Lohmiller]

PAT attempts – 41 [7, tied with Chip Lohmiller]

Longest field goal – 52 yards vs. Washington 11/21

Scoring

Field Goals – 27

PATs – 40

Points – 121 [2, 1^st in NFC]

Postseason: 3 G

Field goals – 2

Most field goals, game – 2 vs. Cincinnati, Super Bowl

Field goal attempts – 5

Most field goal attempts, game – 4 vs. Cincinnati, Super Bowl

PATs – 10

Most PATs, game – 4 vs. Minnesota, NFC Divisional playoff; at Chicago, NFC Championship

PAT attempts – 11

Longest field goal – 41 yards vs. Cincinnati, Super Bowl

49ers went 10-6 to finish first in the NFC West while leading the conference in rushing yards (2523) and total yards (5900). Won NFC Divisional playoff over Minnesota Vikings (34-9), NFC Championship over Chicago Bears (28-3) & Super Bowl over Cincinnati Bengals (20-16).  

Aftermath:

Cofer followed up by connecting on 29 of 36 field goal attempts (80.6 %), with just one miss inside of 40 yards, and adding 49 PATs to lead the NFL with 136 points in 1989. He received first-team All-NFL recognition from the Associated Press and Newspaper Enterprise Association. Cofer spent a total of six years with the 49ers, with declining reliability, until being let go after the 1993 season. He joined the Colts in ’95 and, while he had a 52-yard game-winning field goal against the Jets, Cofer still lacked consistency and was released, ending his career. Overall, he was successful on 133 of 201 field goal attempts (66.2 %), with 128 of 191 coming with the 49ers. Cofer also booted 303 extra points and scored a total of 702 points (296 PATs and 673 points with San Francisco). He received first-team All-NFL honors once.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1954: Lions Dominate College All-Stars

The 21^st College All-Star Game on August 13, 1954 featured a return appearance by the Detroit Lions, NFL Champions for the second consecutive year, who had won the previous installment in the annual series by a score of 24-10.

There was one twist in that, for the first time in ten years, the game utilized the single-platoon college rule with limited substitution, which was expected to benefit the collegians. With players going both ways, Head Coach Buddy Parker chose to sit QB Bobby Layne in favor of backup QB Tom Dublinski  (pictured above) and, for the most part, used second stringers at most positions, primarily utilizing a split-T offense.

The All-Stars were coached by Maryland’s Jim Tatum and the roster contained future pro stars that included QB Zeke Bratkowski from Georgia, HB Jerry Norton of SMU, Florida FB Rick Casares, and, from Maryland, tackle Stan Jones and HB Dick Nolan.

There were 93,470 fans in attendance on a pleasant Friday night at Soldier Field. The tone for the game was set on the first play from scrimmage following the opening kickoff when HB Johnny Lattner, the Heisman Trophy winner out of Notre Dame, fumbled and DT Thurman McGraw recovered for Detroit at the All-Star 27. The Lions came away with the game’s first points when Jim Martin kicked a 46-yard field goal.

Once again the Lions took advantage of a turnover when safety Jack Christiansen intercepted a Lattner pass to give the pro champs the ball at midfield. FB Lew Carpenter took off on a 20-yard run and this time Detroit reached the end zone on a four-yard carry by HB Doak Walker. Walker also booted the extra point to make it 10-0.

Before the opening period was completed the Lions drove 73 yards in 10 plays that included another big carry by Carpenter, this time of 21 yards down the sideline, and it was Carpenter running for a two-yard touchdown to finish the series off. Jug Girard kicked the point after.

Detroit took a 17-0 lead into the second quarter and the onslaught calmed down for a time. Late in the period, the All-Stars finally threatened when Carpenter fumbled and Texas DE Carleton Massey recovered, but after reaching the Detroit 10 they came up empty and the halftime score remained unchanged.

On the first play of the third quarter, the All-Stars got a break when Tom Dublinski fumbled as he was hit fading back to pass and MG Jerry Hilgenberg of Iowa recovered at the Detroit four. Two plays later, Lattner ran around right end for a touchdown. The try for extra point by Notre Dame’s Menil Mavraides was blocked, but the collegians were finally on the board.

The Lions put together a 68-yard possession later in the period. Dublinski completed passes to end Dorne Dibble of 20 and 17 yards and Carpenter (pictured at right) plowed over from the one for a TD and, with Martin’s kick, the pro champs were ahead by 24-6.

Detroit had the contest well in hand as it headed into the fourth quarter and scored once more when DE Jim Doran grabbed the ball on an attempted handoff by QB Jim Ninowski of Michigan State to Notre Dame FB Neil Worden and rumbled 34 yards for a touchdown. The Lions came away with an easy 31-6 win.

Detroit dominated in total yards (361 to 144) and first downs (20 to 11) and the All-Stars turned the ball over five times, to three suffered by the Lions. Both teams completed 11 passes, but Detroit went to the air ten fewer times (16 to 26) than the All-Stars, who utilized a total of five quarterbacks. Tom Dublinski was an efficient 10 of 15 for 103 yards in passing for Detroit.

Detroit’s win put the pro champions ahead by 13 to 6 in the series, with two ties, and was the fourth straight for the professionals. The Lions went on to reach the NFL Championship game for the third straight year in 1954, compiling a 9-2-1 record in topping the Western Conference, but this time lost badly to the Cleveland Browns.

Tom Dublinski returned to his backup role but did start four games during the season and passed for 1073 yards and eight touchdowns, while giving up seven interceptions, in his most productive year with the Lions. He jumped to Canada in 1955 and had a big statistical year with Toronto, throwing for 3561 yards and 30 TDs, although with 34 interceptions. Dublinski shifted back and forth between the US and Canada in a career that concluded in 1962.

Highlighted Year: Antonio Cromartie, 2007

Cornerback, San Diego Chargers

Age: 23

2^nd season in pro football & with Chargers

College: Florida State

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 203

Prelude:

Cromartie intercepted five passes in college and returned 43 kickoffs for a 23.3-yard average, but in 2005, his last year, he missed the season due to a knee injury suffered during a summer workout. A raw talent with great potential, Cromartie was chosen by the Chargers in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft and split time with CB Drayton Florence as a rookie. He emerged in ’07, showing off outstanding ball-hawking ability in addition to fine speed for coverage.

2007 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 10 [1]

Most interceptions, game – 3 vs. Indianapolis 11/11

Int. return yards – 144 [6]

Most int. return yards, game – 91 (on 2 int.) vs. Houston 10/28

Int. TDs – 1 [7, tied with many others]

Sacks – 0

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 0

Tackles – 39

Assists – 5

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 67

Average per return – 22.3

TDs – 0

Longest return – 26 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3

Points – 18

One TD scored on the 109-yard return of a missed field goal vs. Minnesota, a NFL record.

Postseason: 3 G

Interceptions – 2

Int. return yards – 37

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP

Pro Bowl

Chargers went 11-5 to finish first in the AFC West while leading the NFL in interceptions (30). Won AFC Wild Card playoff over Tennessee Titans (17-6) & AFC Divisional playoff over Indianapolis Colts (28-24). Lost AFC Championship to New England Patriots (21-12).

Aftermath:

Cromartie had a lesser year in 2008, playing with a hip injury, and intercepted just two passes. There were off-field issues in ’09 and he was traded to the New York Jets in 2010. Cromartie had problems with consistency in his first two years with the Jets but stepped up when top CB Darrelle Revis was injured and garnered Pro Bowl recognition in 2012. Following another Pro Bowl year in 2013, Cromartie moved on to the Arizona Cardinals, again achieved Pro Bowl honors, and returned to the Jets as a free agent in 2015. He had a disappointing year, seeming to have lost speed and failing to intercept a pass for the first time since his rookie year, and was released in the offseason. Overall through 2015, Cromartie has intercepted 31 passes, three of which he returned for touchdowns, with 15 pickoffs and two TDs coming with the Chargers. He also has returned two of his five fumble recoveries for touchdowns and ran back 60 kickoffs for a 23.9-yard average. Cromartie received first-team All-NFL honors once and was named to four Pro Bowls.

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Highlighted Years features players who were first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1957: Conerly TD Passes Lead Giants Past College All-Stars

The 24^th annual College All-Star Game on August 9, 1957 matched up the New York Giants, reigning champions of the NFL, with an All-Star team coached by Curly Lambeau for the third straight year.

Head Coach Jim Lee Howell of the Giants placed great authority in Vince Lombardi, his offensive assistant, and Tom Landry, who operated the defense. Behind center was QB Charlie Conerly, who platooned with Don Heinrich, and the offense also featured star all-purpose HB Frank Gifford as well as capable runners in HB Alex Webster and FB Mel Triplett. The tough defense contained All-Pros in DE Andy Robustelli and safety Emlen Tunnell plus a rising second-year talent in MLB Sam Huff.

Coach Lambeau, the head coach of the Green Bay Packers for many years who finished up with the Cardinals and Redskins, had the All-Stars well prepared to face the Giants. The roster contained several offensive players who would become pro stars such as quarterbacks John Brodie from Stanford and Notre Dame’s Paul Hornung, Syracuse FB Jim Brown, halfbacks Jon Arnett of USC and Billy Barnes from Wake Forest, and Michigan end Ron Kramer.

It was a wet Friday night with over 75,000 fans in attendance at Soldier Field and the start of the game was delayed due to a major deluge of rain combined with a gusty wind that caused the elimination of pregame introductions and other festivities. The Giants had the ball first but Alex Webster fumbled it away on the third play and the All-Stars capitalized. With John Brodie behind center, they advanced 55 yards, the key play being a 22-yard gain on a triple reverse, and Billy Barnes capped the series by running wide for a two-yard touchdown in a fourth down situation. Paul Hornung missed to the left on the extra point attempt but the collegians held the early 6-0 lead.

The Giants had to punt following their next series but regained possession on the All-Star 20 when Barnes fumbled. A running play lost a yard and two throws by Charlie Conerly were broken up, but the pro champs got on the board when Ben Agajanian, just short of his 38^th birthday, kicked a 33-yard field goal with a minute remaining in the opening period to narrow the score to 6-3.

Early in the second quarter, New York put together a drive that covered 88 yards in five plays. It featured Conerly passes to Webster for 33 yards and then to end Ken MacAfee, who took advantage of a good block by end Kyle Rote after hauling in the throw at the All-Star 25 and going the distance for a 38-yard touchdown. Agajanian’s conversion put the Giants ahead by 10-6.

Late in the period, Barnes created some excitement for the All-Stars by breaking away on a carry from his 35 that nearly went the distance before a diving DHB Ed Hughes tripped him up at the New York 37, a distance of 28 yards. Three plays later, Brodie suffered an injury but Hornung came in at quarterback and ran for a first down at the nine. New York’s defense held and the collegians settled for a 12-yard field goal by Paige Cothren of Mississippi. The Giants maintained a 10-9 edge at the half.

In the third quarter, the Giants put together a long drive of 77 yards in 10 plays, helped along by a questionable pass interference penalty on Michigan State DHB Clarence Peaks, who had nearly pulled the ball away from Frank Gifford. That moved New York to the All-Star 15, and two plays later Conerly threw once again to MacAfee, who was open in the end zone for a 10-yard TD. Agajanian booted the point after.

Later in the third quarter, and with Hornung still at quarterback, the All-Stars drove into New York territory but came up empty when Cothren missed on a 33-yard field goal try. However, early in the fourth quarter the collegians got a break when Sam Huff flagrantly interfered with Ron Kramer and Cothren this time came through for a 24-yard field goal that made it a five-point contest.

That would be it for the All-Stars as the Giants responded by advancing to a 45-yard Agajanian field goal. Then, with three minutes left to play, New York DHB Dick Nolan capped the scoring by foiling a double-reverse and tackling Illinois HB Abe Woodson in the end zone for a safety. The Giants came away winners by a final score of 22-12.

New York had the edge in total yards (281 to 220) while the All-Stars led in first downs (16 to 14)

Each team turned the ball over once.

Charlie Conerly completed 8 of 17 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns and Mel Triplett led New York’s ground game with 74 yards on 17 attempts. For the All-Stars, Paul Hornung, utilized on option plays, was successful on 5 of 7 throws for 39 yards and John Brodie was 8 of 20 for 94 yards. Billy Barnes rushed for 60 yards on 11 carries, scoring the lone All-Star TD.  

“They stopped us as well as anybody in the league stopped us,” said New York’s Coach Howell of the All-Star defense. “Their defensive line and linebackers were excellent.”

The win for the Giants marked the 15^th in the series for the pro champs, against seven for the All-Stars and two ties. New York followed up by going 7-5 during the season to place second in the Eastern Conference.

The game marked the finale for Curly Lambeau as coach of the All-Stars. As a former pro coach, his selection in 1955 had marked a departure from the practice of using college coaches for the contest. Lambeau had coached the Packers in the game three times, going 2-1, and his record with the All-Stars was 1-2.     

Highlighted Year: Ron Brown, 1985

Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams

Age: 24

2^nd season in pro football & with Rams

College: Arizona State

Height: 5’11” Weight: 181

Prelude:

Brown was a track star who set an Arizona State record in the 100-meter dash while also playing football, where he was a defensive back for three seasons prior to switching to wide receiver in 1982. He caught 19 passes that year, but five of them were for touchdowns as he averaged 20.8 yards-per-catch. Chosen by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 1983 NFL draft, Brown delayed his pro football career in order to participate in the 1984 Olympics where he won a gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay event. He joined the Rams, who acquired his rights, for the ’84 season and caught 23 passes for 478 yards (20.8 avg.) and four TDs.

1985 Season Summary

Appeared in 13 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 14      

Most receptions, game – 5 (for 87 yds.) vs. Green Bay 11/24

Yards – 215

Most yards, game – 87 (on 5 catches) vs. Green Bay 11/24

Average gain – 15.4

TDs – 3

Rushing

Attempts – 2

Yards – 13

Average gain – 6.5

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 28 [19, tied with Clyde Duncan & Carl Monroe]

Yards – 918 [8]

Most yards, game – 184 (on 2 ret.) vs. Green Bay 11/24 (2 TD)

Average per return – 32.8 [1]

TDs – 3 [1]

Longest return – 98 yards

Scoring

TDs – 6

Points – 36

Postseason: 2 G

Kickoff returns – 3

Kickoff return yds. – 63

Kickoff return avg. – 21.0

Kickoff return TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 2

Pass receiving yards – 14

Average gain – 7.0

Pass receiving TDs – 0

(Statistics all accumulated in NFC Championship at Chicago)

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Rams went 11-5 to finish first in the NFC West. Won NFC Divisional playoff over Dallas Cowboys (20-0). Lost NFC Championship to Chicago Bears (21-0).  

Aftermath:

Brown spent the next four seasons on-and-off with the Rams, although he never again approached his 1985 kickoff return average. While having tremendous speed, Brown lacked reliability as a pass receiver and had problems with nagging injuries. He caught 25 passes for 396 yards (15.8 avg.) in 1986 and 26 for 521 yards (20.0 avg.) in ’87, totaling five TDs in what were his most productive pass receiving seasons. Facing protracted problems with negotiating a new contract with the Rams, Brown briefly retired in 1988 but, failing in an Olympic comeback, returned to the club during the season. He played for the Raiders in 1990, where he was shifted to cornerback, before returning to the Rams in ’91, his last year. Overall, as a kickoff returner he averaged 22.6 yards on 199 returns with four touchdowns. His pass receiving totals, all with the Rams, were 98 catches for 1791 yards (18.3 avg.) and 13 TDs. The 1985 season remained the only one in which he received All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

Highlighted Year: Jack Butler, 1957

Defensive Halfback, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 30 (Nov. 12)

7^th season in pro football & with Steelers

College: St. Bonaventure

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 195

Prelude:

Butler, who originally intended to study for the priesthood, didn’t play football until college where he made the team as an end. Undrafted by the NFL, he signed with the Steelers in 1951 and was shifted to defensive halfback (modern cornerback) where he intercepted 5 passes as a rookie, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Butler followed up with 7 in 1952 and 9 in ’53 but he did not gain his first Pro Bowl selection until 1955 (oddly enough, the only season of his career in which he had no interceptions). He received first-team All-NFL honors from The Sporting News, second-team recognition from the Associated Press and NEA, and was a Pro Bowl selection again in ’56, when he picked off 6 passes to give him a total of 31 through his first six seasons.

1957 Season Summary

Appeared in all 12 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 10 [1, tied with Jack Christiansen & Milt Davis]

Int. return yards – 85 [10]

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 1

Punt Returns

Returns – 1

Yards – 10

TDs – 0

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, UPI, NEA, NY Daily News, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Steelers went 6-6 to finish third in the NFL Eastern Conference while leading the league in fewest yards allowed (2791).

Aftermath:

Butler was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection in 1958 and ’59, when his career came to a sudden end late in the season due to a knee injury. An outstanding all-around athlete who played safety as well as defensive halfback throughout his career, he combined excellent instincts with rugged tackling ability. Overall, over the course of 103 games Butler intercepted 52 passes, which ranked second in NFL history at the time, returning them for 877 yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered 10 fumbles, one of which he returned for a TD. Butler was a consensus first-team All-NFL selection three times, received second-team honors after one other season, and was chosen to four straight Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2012.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970

1962: Starr’s 5 TD Passes Lead Packers to Win Over College All-Stars

The 29^th College All-Star Game on August 3, 1962 featured the Green Bay Packers, NFL Champions of the previous season, facing a group of All-Stars under the direction of Otto Graham, who was back at the helm for the fifth consecutive year.

Coached by Vince Lombardi, the Packers had the league’s most prolific scorer, HB Paul Hornung, plus FB Jim Taylor to fuel the running attack and QB Bart Starr (pictured at right) was an accurate passer, all operating behind an outstanding line. The defense was also strong from front to back and contained players coming off of All-Pro performances such as DT Henry Jordan, OLB Bill Forester, and CB Jesse Whittenton.

The All-Stars had future pro standouts on the roster that included QB John Hadl and HB Curtis McClinton of Kansas, QB Roman Gabriel from North Carolina State, HB Lance Alworth of Arkansas, and Utah State DT Merlin Olsen. However, they were missing two running backs due to illness: Baylor HB Ronnie Bull and, far more seriously, HB Ernie Davis, the Heisman Trophy winner from Syracuse, who was in the early stages of the leukemia that, tragically, would end his life the following year.

There were 65,000 fans in attendance on a 79-degree Friday night at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The All-Stars took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards in 13 plays with John Hadl behind center. Hadl, typically rolling out to take advantage of his mobility, completed all four of his passes along the way, including one that was partially deflected by DE Willie Davis but was still hauled in by Lance Alworth for a 22-yard gain. FB Earl Gros from LSU (who was also Green Bay’s first-round draft pick) dove into the end zone from a yard out on a third down play for a touchdown. Greg Mather of Navy added the extra point.

CB Herb Adderley returned the ensuing kickoff 33 yards and the Packers responded with a 67-yard scoring series in seven plays, although hindered by two holding penalties. Bart Starr completed three passes to flanker Boyd Dowler, for 49, 26, and 22 yards, the last of which was good for a TD. Paul Hornung converted to tie the score at 7-7.

That was it until midway through the second quarter when the All-Stars got a break on a turnover. HB Lew Carpenter of the Packers fumbled a punt and Kentucky center Irv Goode recovered at the Green Bay 27. The turnover resulted in three running plays and a 26-yard Mather field goal that put that collegians back in front by 10-7.

Once again it appeared that the Packers would respond with a score until Notre Dame CB Angelo Dabiero intercepted a Starr pass intended for split end Max McGee at the goal line and returned it 37 yards. However, any hopes the All-Stars had of adding to their lead were extinguished when LB Dan Currie picked off a sideline pass by Roman Gabriel and ran it back 31 yards to the All-Star 27. With less than a minute remaining in the first half, Starr connected with Dowler for 23 yards down the middle and then, rolling out to his right, fired a pass to TE Ron Kramer for a four-yard touchdown. Hornung added the PAT and the Packers were ahead by 14-10 at the half. Neither team had distinguished itself on the ground in the first thirty minutes of play, with Green Bay, known for its outstanding running game, gaining just 17 yards and the All-Stars, who had 104 yards through the air, being held to a net total of minus one yard.

Once again the pro champs turned the ball over on a kick when Adderley fumbled the second half kickoff and Oregon State HB Hank Rivera recovered and returned it to the Green Bay 25. Following a run by Gros for three yards, Hadl threw to Ohio State end Charlie Bryant, who outmaneuvered SS John Symank for a 22-yard TD. With the successful Mather conversion, the All-Stars were once again in the lead by a 17-14 margin.

The Packers came back with a 10-play, 67-yard drive. Starr hit Dowler (pictured at left) for a 22-yard touchdown and, with Hornung’s kick, Green Bay was back in front by 21-17. A personal foul helped the All-Stars along on their next possession that reached the Green Bay three before the defense held and Mather kicked a 14-yard field goal to make it a one-point contest. 

Up by just 21-20 heading into the fourth quarter, the Packers finally pulled away in the final period. It started on the second play of the quarter when Starr completed a five-play, 64-yard series with a touchdown pass to McGee from 20 yards out and Hornung booted the point after.

Shortly thereafter, a 28-yard punt return by FS Willie Wood gave Green Bay the ball in All-Star territory and it took just two plays to score again. Starr passed to McGee along the sideline for a play that covered 35 yards for a TD. Hornung converted once again.

The All-Stars had to turn the ball over on downs and, with their reserves in the game, the Packers advanced to one more score, going 44 yards in 10 plays. The drive was helped along by a roughing-the-kicker call on a McGee punt. HB Elijah Pitts, just returned from Army duty, capped the scoring with a three-yard carry around end with less than two minutes remaining in the contest. Hornung kicked his game-record sixth extra point and what had been a close game for three quarters resulted in a 42-20 win for the Packers.

Green Bay led in total yards (380 to 237) and first downs (16 to 11). The Packers turned the ball over three times, to two suffered by the collegians.

Bart Starr completed 13 of 22 passes for 255 years and his five touchdown passes set an All-Star Game record. John Hadl (pictured at right), who was named MVP for the All-Stars, completed 6 of 10 passes and averaged 48.8 yards on five punts.

The win by the Packers gave the pro champs a lead of 19 to 8 in the series, with two ties, and it was the third for Green Bay. They went on to repeat as NFL Champions in 1962, going 13-1 to top the Western Conference and then defeating the Giants for the second straight year in the league title contest.

John Hadl joined the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League and went on to a 16-year pro career, also spending time with the Rams, Packers, and Oilers and throwing for 33,503 yards and 244 touchdowns. He was selected to four AFL All-Star Games and two Pro Bowls.