1964: Third Quarter Surge Lifts Colts to Win Against Rams

The Baltimore Colts had a 2-1 record and were nine-point favorites as they hosted the Los Angeles Rams on October 4, 1964. The Colts were a revitalized team in their second season under Head Coach Don Shula. The key to the offense was 31-year-old QB Johnny Unitas (pictured above), generally recognized as the best in the league. Versatile HB Lenny Moore, trade bait during the previous offseason after a disappointing year in ’63, was again making big plays as a runner and receiver out of the backfield, and there were capable receivers in split end Raymond Berry and flanker Jimmy Orr, although Orr was nursing a muscle pull and was nearly pulled from the lineup for the LA game. The defense was showing signs of age but was still formidable. Baltimore was coming off of a 52-0 pounding of the Bears the previous week.

The Rams had not enjoyed a winning season since 1958 but were at 2-0-1 coming up against the Colts. They were coached by Harland Svare and had lots of young talent on the roster, including QB Bill Munson, the first round pick out of Utah State who was starting in place of the injured Roman Gabriel. FB Dick Bass, their top runner, was suffering the effects of a shoulder injury and while available against the Colts was not nearly up to form. The defensive line was impressive but the Rams were still very much in rebuilding mode.

There were 56,537 fans in attendance on an overcast day at Memorial Stadium. Baltimore struck first when, on its second play from scrimmage, Johnny Unitas ran out of the pocket to avoid DT Merlin Olsen and threw long to Jimmy Orr (pictured at right), who was covered by rookie CB Jerry Richardson, for a 46-yard touchdown. Lou Michaels added the extra point for the early 7-0 lead.

The Rams came right back following a 56-yard kickoff return by DB Bobby Smith that had them starting at the Baltimore 44. Bill Munson converted two third downs, one with an 18-yard pass to flanker Jim Phillips in a third-and-nine situation. FB Ben Wilson plunged the last yard for a touchdown and Bruce Gossett added the game-tying extra point.

The Colts again reached LA territory, but a 31-yard field goal attempt by Michaels was blocked by LB Jack Pardee. The game settled into a defensive battle from that point, with the Colts running only six plays in the second quarter. Los Angeles had a 53-yard drive that ended with Gossett kicking a 35-yard field goal and, with time running out just before the end of the first half, Munson threw to split end Carroll Dale to set up another Gossett field goal, this time from 32 yards. The visitors took a 13-7 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, the Rams hurt themselves with a clipping penalty on a punt return and, forced to punt in return, gave the Colts favorable field position at their 44. Baltimore took advantage, scoring four plays later when Unitas again connected with Orr, who had gotten open along the sideline for a 43-yard touchdown. Michaels converted and Baltimore was ahead by 14-13.

Down by a point, it got worse for the Rams when a Munson pass was intercepted by CB Bob Boyd, who returned it 47 yards to the LA 12. The result, on the next play, was Lenny Moore running for a 12-yard TD and, with the successful Michaels point after, a 21-13 lead.

Baltimore’s defense shut the Rams down on their next series and, getting the ball back, Unitas went long to Orr deep in the end zone for a third touchdown, this time covering 35 yards. Michaels converted and, after being held largely in check in the first half, the Colts were ahead by 28-13 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the Colts helped themselves by keeping the ball away from LA with a long drive that ran more than six minutes off of the clock. With less than five minutes remaining, the Rams finally scored again when Munson connected with Phillips for a 14-yard TD. Gossett’s point after narrowed the Baltimore lead to 28-20. But the Colts responded with a 66-yard series that concluded with Moore breaking away for a 32-yard touchdown, and that sealed the win by a final score of 35-20.

Baltimore led in total yards (389 to 257) and first downs (18 to 17). While the most spectacular plays were made through the air, the Colts also were far more successful at running the ball, outgaining Los Angeles by 160 yards to 52 on the ground. The Baltimore defense also recorded six sacks, while the Rams got to Unitas only once. LA gave up the game’s only turnover and it set up a score by the Colts during the crucial third quarter.

Johnny Unitas completed only 10 of 18 passes, but they were good for 232 yards and three touchdowns with none intercepted. Jimmy Orr, despite playing hurt, had 5 catches for 145 yards and all three TDs. Lenny Moore had one 46-yard pass reception and led the Colts in rushing with 86 yards on 13 carries that included two touchdowns.

For the Rams, Bill Munson (pictured at left) was successful on 18 of 32 throws for 256 yards and a TD as well as an interception. Jim Phillips caught 6 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown and TE Marlin McKeever gained 103 yards on his four pass receptions. Ben Wilson led what there was of a ground game with 25 yards on 16 attempts that included a short TD.

“Unitas killed us with the bomb,” summed up Coach Harland Svare for the Rams. “He always takes advantage of the breaks and that’s what makes him a great quarterback.”

The win put the Colts in first place in the Western Conference, and that is where they stayed. Baltimore reeled off eleven straight wins on the way to a 12-2 record. However, they were upset by the Cleveland Browns for the NFL Championship. The Rams slumped during the second half of the season and ended up at 5-7-2 for a fifth place finish in the conference.

Johnny Unitas passed for 2824 yards and 19 touchdowns with just six interceptions and led the NFL by averaging 9.3 yards per attempt. He was the consensus league MVP as well as a first-team All-NFL selection and was named to the Pro Bowl for the eighth straight year. Lenny Moore made good on his comeback by setting a NFL record with 20 touchdowns scored, 16 of them among his 157 carries for 584 yards, three while catching 21 passes for 472 yards (22.5 avg.), and one more on a fumble recovery. He also was a consensus first-team All-NFL choice and Pro Bowl selection.  Jimmy Orr caught 40 passes for 867 yards (21.7 avg.) and scored six TDs.

Bill Munson started eight games and threw for 1533 yards and 9 TDs while giving up 15 interceptions. He spent four seasons with the Rams but the last two were strictly as a backup to the more talented Roman Gabriel. Munson did have a long NFL career, spending significant time with the Lions as well as the Seahawks, Chargers, and Bills over the course of 16 seasons.

Highlighted Year: Irv Comp, 1944

Tailback/Defensive Back, Green Bay Packers

Age: 25

2^nd season in pro football & with Packers

College: St. Benedict’s (now Benedictine)

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 214

Prelude:

Comp was a fine all-around athlete who lettered in four sports at little St. Benedict’s College and was chosen by the Packers in the third round of the 1943 NFL draft. With the void left at tailback due to the retirement of Cecil Isbell, Comp split time with Tony Canadeo and proved to be a capable passer, completing 46 of 92 attempts for 662 yards and seven touchdowns while giving up four interceptions. He also ran for 182 yards and three TDs and was impressive in the defensive backfield, intercepting a club-record 10 passes, one of which he returned for a score.

1944 Season Summary

Appeared in all 10 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Passing

Attempts – 177 [1]

Completions – 80 [3]

Yards – 1159 [1]

Completion percentage – 45.2 [4]

Yards per attempt – 6.5 [6]

TD passes – 12 [2, tied with Frank Sinkwich]

Most TD passes, game – 2 vs. Chi. Bears 9/24, vs. Chi. Cards 10/8, at Cleveland 11/12, at Chi. Cards 11/26

Interceptions – 21 [1, tied with John Grigas]

Passer rating – 50.0 [6]

Rushing

Attempts – 52

Yards – 134

Yards per attempt – 2.6

TDs – 2 [19, tied with ten others]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 2

Yards – 16

Yards per catch – 8.0

TDs – 1

Interceptions

Interceptions – 6 [3, tied with Ted Fritsch & Ernie Steele]

Return yards – 54 [13, tied with Ted Williams]

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 35

Average per return – 17.5

TDs – 0

Longest return – 18 yards

Punt Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 32

Average per return – 16.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 18 yards

Scoring

TDs – 3         

Points – 18

Postseason: 1 G (NFL Championship at NY Giants)

Pass attempts – 10

Pass completions – 3

Passing yardage – 73

TD passes – 1

Interceptions – 3

Rushing attempts – 10

Rushing yards – 21

Average gain rushing – 2.1

Rushing TDs – 0

Punt returns – 4

Punt return yards – 55

Average per return – 13.8

Punt return TDs – 0

Packers went 8-2 to finish first in the NFL Western Division. Won NFL Championship over New York Giants (14-7).

Aftermath:

Comp followed up in 1945 by passing for 865 yards and 7 touchdowns with 11 interceptions for the 6-4 Packers, but with star end Don Hutson’s retirement, his performance dropped off significantly in ‘46. He spent three more seasons with Green Bay, through 1949, and was largely fazed out of the offense as it transitioned to the T-formation. Comp did continue to play well on defense, however, and accounted for 14 of his 34 career interceptions from 1947 to ’49. Overall on offense, he passed for 3354 yards and 28 touchdowns and rushed for 519 yards and seven TDs. Adding in two pass receiving touchdowns and two more returning interceptions, he scored a total of 11 TDs.

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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

1967: Eagles Defeat Steelers with Snead to Hawkins Combination

The Philadelphia Eagles were at 1-1 as they hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 1, 1967. Coached by Joe Kuharich for the fourth year, the Eagles had looked impressive in an opening-week win against Washington but decidedly less so in being flattened by the Colts in their second game. QB Norm Snead was talented but inconsistent, although the arrival of two veteran receivers, split end Gary Ballman and TE Mike Ditka, helped and flanker Ben Hawkins (pictured at right), a disappointment as a rookie the previous year, was showing signs of improvement. The defense lacked a strong pass rush and had given up lots of passing yards in both contests.

The Eagles would not be seeing the likes of Washington’s Sonny Jurgensen or Johnny Unitas of the Colts lining up against them with Pittsburgh coming to town. With starting QB Bill Nelsen injured, backup Kent Nix would be making his first pro start for the Steelers. They would also be without TE John Hilton, further hampering the passing game. But Head Coach Bill Austin’s club had a tough defense and was also at 1-1, having whipped the Bears in the first week before losing to the Cardinals.

There were 60,335 fans in attendance at Franklin Field. The Steelers shuttled running backs to bring in plays in an effort to help the inexperienced quarterback, but the receiving corps was depleted further when flanker Roy Jefferson went out with a leg injury in the early going. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh scored first after flanker Chuck Hughes of the Eagles was nicked by a punt and FS Paul Martha recovered at the Philadelphia 43. Four plays later, FB Willie Asbury ran 25 yards for a touchdown and Mike Clark added the extra point for the early 7-0 advantage.

The Eagles responded with a 79-yard drive in seven plays. Norm Snead completed four passes and FB Israel “Izzy” Lang added an option toss to Gary Ballman for a gain of 26 yards to the Pittsburgh seven. Two plays later, Snead rolled to his right and connected with Lang in the corner of the end zone for a five-yard TD. Sam Baker added the game-tying point after.

Prior to the end of the period, Clark attempted a 36-yard field goal into the wind that fell short, but early in the second quarter, Baker was successful from the same distance to put the Eagles ahead by 10-7. Shortly thereafter, a Nix pass was intercepted by FS Joe Scarpati at the Pittsburgh 29. Snead immediately went long to Ben Hawkins, who outmaneuvered SS Clendon Thomas for a TD. Baker converted and the home team was up by 17-7.

The Steelers got a break on their next possession when, forced to punt, DE Mel Tom was flagged for roughing-the-kicker. A third down pass by Nix was complete to Asbury for 21 yards to the Philadelphia 25 and, with Hoak and Asbury carrying, the visitors ground away to another touchdown, this time on Hoak’s three-yard run. Clark added the extra point to narrow the score to 17-14.

The Eagles responded quickly, advancing 68 yards in six plays. Snead (pictured at left) threw to Hawkins for 40 yards to the Pittsburgh 28 and again on a third-and-10 play for 19. He then lobbed a throw to TE Jim Kelly, who caught it over LB Andy Russell for a four-yard touchdown. Baker converted, and with 33 seconds remaining in the first half Philadelphia was ahead by 24-14. Pittsburgh got one last shot to add points before halftime, but Clark missed a 52-yard field goal try and the tally remained unchanged.

The Eagles were forced to punt following their first series of the third quarter and Baker’s kick was shanked, traveling just 29 yards to give Pittsburgh the ball at the Philadelphia 49. The Steelers reached the 15 before Clark kicked a 24-yard field goal to make it a seven-point game.

Neither team scored again during the period. The Steelers missed two opportunities, the first after reaching the Philadelphia 34 when CB Jim Nettles picked off a Nix pass and the second when an apparent 76-yard scoring run by Hoak was nullified by a holding penalty. The Eagles also missed out when Snead barely overthrew Hawkins near the Pittsburgh goal line.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Steelers put together their most impressive drive of the game, moving 93 yards as Nix completed two passes along the way and Hoak tossed an option pass to Asbury for 21 yards. The long series ended with Nix completing a TD throw to split end J.R. Wilburn, who made a leaping catch from 18 yards out. Clark converted to tie the score at 24-24 with 11 minutes to play.

With the game knotted, Hawkins returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards to give the Eagles good starting field position in Pittsburgh territory. Snead threw to Hawkins for 19 yards and FB Tom Woodeshick ran the ball effectively on four plays before Snead connected with Hawkins once again on a post pattern for an eight-yard touchdown. Baker again booted the PAT and the Eagles were back in the lead at 31-24.

There was still time for the visitors but, following an interception of a Nix pass by LB Mike Morgan, Snead threw to Hawkins for 24 yards and the possession resulted in Baker adding a game-clinching field goal from 35 yards. Philadelphia came away with a hard-fought 34-24 win.

Total yards were almost even, with the Eagles having the edge (319 to 318) while Pittsburgh had more first downs (19 to 17). The Steelers were effective running the ball, gaining 153 yards, while Philadelphia accumulated just 48 yards on 29 carries. But the Eagles had far more net passing yards (271 to 165) and turned the ball over once, to three by Pittsburgh. Philadelphia mistakes on special teams proved beneficial to the Steelers and the Eagles were also hurt by committing eight penalties, at a cost of 71 yards, as opposed to three flags that were thrown on Pittsburgh.

Norm Snead completed 16 of 24 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. Ben Hawkins had a huge performance with 8 catches for 187 yards and two of the TDs. Tom Woodeshick, who caught three passes for 33 yards, topped the Philadelphia runners with 30 yards on 16 carries.

For the Steelers, Kent Nix (pictured at right) had a respectable showing as he succeeded on 12 of 26 throws for 159 yards and a TD while giving up three interceptions. HB Jim “Cannonball” Butler rushed for 81 yards on 17 attempts and Willie Asbury contributed 54 yards on 7 carries that included a touchdown while also gaining 42 yards on two pass receptions. Split ends Dick Compton and J.R. Wilburn caught a team-leading four catches apiece, for 70 and 50 yards, respectively, and Wilburn scored a TD.

“They gave us single coverage on Hawkins and appeared to be more worried about (Gary) Ballman,” explained Norm Snead. “I called three-man patterns most of the time but ended up going to him (Hawkins) pretty much.”

“Nix ran the team well enough to win,” said Coach Bill Austin of his quarterback. “When you score 24 points, you should have enough to win.”

Philadelphia won again the next week to rise to 3-1, but could not do so consistently and finished at 6-7-1 and second in the Capitol Division of the Eastern Conference. The Steelers lost their next three games before edging the first-year Saints on the way to a 4-9-1 record that put them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference’s Century Division.

Norm Snead had the biggest statistical year of his long career, achieving career highs in pass attempts (434), completions (240), yards (3399), and TD passes (29). The big performance by Ben Hawkins proved to not be a fluke as he broke out with 59 catches for a league-leading 1265 yards (21.4 avg.) and 10 touchdowns. He had five hundred-yard performances and his 187 yards against the Steelers were not his highest total – thanks to an 87-yard TD catch, Hawkins compiled 197 yards on six receptions in a game at St. Louis (albeit one that the Eagles lost by a score of 48-14).

Kent Nix started a total of nine games for the Steelers , continuing to see action even after Bill Nelsen’s return. He completed 136 of 268 passes (50.7 %) for 1587 yards and 8 TDs, but also gave up 19 interceptions. The son of Emery Nix, who had a brief career with the Giants in the 1940s, he spent another two years with Pittsburgh, but saw decreasingly less action before departing for the Bears and Oilers.

Highlighted Year: Dutch Clark, 1931

Tailback/Defensive Back, Portsmouth Spartans

Age: 25 (Oct. 11)

1^st season in pro football

College: Colorado College

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 182

Prelude:

Clark started at quarterback for three years at Colorado College and received first-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press in 1928, a season in which he rushed for 1349 yards, despite playing for a small college. After spending a year as an assistant coach at the school, he joined the Spartans.

1931 Season Summary

Appeared in 11 of 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Scoring

Rushing TDs – 9 [1]

Receiving TDs – 0

Other TDs – 0

Total TDs – 9 [2]

Field Goals – 0

Extra Points – 6 [5]

Points – 60 [3]

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: League, UPI, Collyers Eye

Spartans went 11-3 to finish second in the NFL.

Aftermath:

Clark had another outstanding year for the Spartans in 1932, rushing for 461 yards and leading the league in scoring with 55 points, and again receiving consensus first-team All-NFL recognition. He became head coach at the Colorado School of Mines in 1933 but returned to the team, which was now the Detroit Lions, in ’34 and continued from where he had left off, rushing for a career-high 763 yards, which ranked third in the NFL, and scoring 73 points, which placed second. An all-purpose tailback in a ground-oriented single-wing offense, Clark also excelled on defense and was a fine drop-kicker. In seven seasons with the Spartans/Lions, he led the league in rushing touchdowns and scoring three times, was part of a record-setting defense that had seven straight shutouts in 1934, and a key component in Detroit’s NFL Championship season in ’35. Overall, he rushed for 2772 yards while averaging 4.6 yards-per-carry, caught 28 passes for 341 yards, and passed for 1507 yards and 11 TDs. Clark scored 42 touchdowns and kicked 15 field goals and 72 PATs for a total of 369 points. He was a consensus first team All-NFL selection in six of his seven seasons, the Lions retired his number, and Clark was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a Charter Member in 1963. An excellent leader, he also coached the Lions in 1937 and ’38 and, following his playing career, was head coach of the Rams for four seasons.  

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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

1946: Eagles Dominate Second Half to Defeat Rams in LA Debut

The Los Angeles Rams were making their West Coast regular season debut as they hosted the Philadelphia Eagles on September 29, 1946. They were coming off of a NFL Championship the previous year as the Cleveland Rams, also their first year under Head Coach Adam Walsh, who installed the T-formation and put QB Bob Waterfield in charge of it with outstanding results. Despite the success, owner Dan Reeves lost money and chose to move the franchise to LA. There were newcomers in HB Tom Harmon, a former Heisman Trophy winner, as well as HB Kenny Washington and end Woody Stode, the first African-American players to appear in the NFL since 1933.

The Eagles had gone 7-3 the previous year, barely missing the Eastern Division title, and one of their wins was against the Rams (the only defeat inflicted on them). Head Coach Earle “Greasy” Neale was assembling a good team that most notably featured HB Steve Van Buren and there were excellent linemen in MG Bucko Kilroy and tackles Al Wistert and Vic Sears. Philadelphia had added promising newcomers in halfbacks Bosh Pritchard and Russ Craft in addition to veteran C/LB Alex Wojciechowicz.

There were 30,553 fans in attendance at the Memorial Coliseum on a hot day with temperatures in the nineties. The Rams scored first, putting together a 75-yard drive in the first quarter, with the biggest play a pass from Bob Waterfield to HB Jack Banta that covered 24 yards. FB Pat West ran the last two yards for a touchdown and Waterfield added the extra point.

The Eagles responded with a 21-yard field goal by Roy Zimmerman to narrow the margin to 7-3. The Rams, moving effectively on the ground, reached the Philadelphia eight, but a holding penalty moved them back and a pass was intercepted by LB Ben Kish. The Eagles scored once more before the first quarter was over when Augie Lio booted a 42-yard field goal.

Early in the second quarter, West (pictured at left) broke away for a 72-yard gain down the middle to the Philadelphia eight. From there, FB Mike Holovak scored a TD, Waterfield converted, and the score remained 14-6 at halftime.

The Eagles started off the third quarter with a drive that resulted in Zimmerman kicking a 19-yard field goal to narrow the score to 14-9. The Rams lost Waterfield, who completed 6 of 9 passes in the first half, due to a rib injury suffered when hit hard by Bucko Kilroy while passing, and he played sparingly for the remainder of the contest. The Rams bogged down on offense as Jim Hardy and Kenny Washington, normally a halfback but being given a trial at quarterback, took turns behind center.

Philadelphia was on the move later in the period, and following a 24-yard run by Russ Craft, QB Allie Sherman (pictured at top) passed to end Larry Cabrelli for a 38-yard touchdown. Zimmerman added the extra point to put the Eagles ahead by 16-14.

Early in the fourth quarter, and following a turnover in which G Duke Maronic hit Holovak behind the line and grabbed the ball away from him, the visitors struck again. Sherman threw for another TD two plays later, this time to end Jack Ferrante that covered 28 yards, and Zimmerman’s point after put the Eagles ahead by nine points.

Midway through the final period, Waterfield re-entered the contest and completed a pass to end Steve Pritko but, after Holovak ran the ball down to the Philadelphia 20, the Rams came up empty. It proved to be their last gasp. The Eagles picked up two more points when Washington, attempting to pass from his own end zone, stepped out of bounds for a safety, and that was it. Philadelphia dominated the second half and came away with a 25-14 win.

The Eagles led in total yards (316 to 233) as well as first downs (16 to 15), topping Los Angeles both in rushing (141 to 116) and through the air (175 to 117). The Rams turned the ball over four times, to two suffered by Philadelphia, but the Eagles were penalized nine times, with six flags thrown on LA.

Allie Sherman was the most productive passer for the Eagles, hitting on 7 of 11 throws for 113 yards and two touchdowns while giving up no interceptions. Steve Van Buren, who had a quiet day running the ball from scrimmage with 33 yards, contributed kickoff returns of 54 and 46 yards.

For the Rams, Bob Waterfield ended up completing 7 of 13 passes for 78 yards with two intercepted. Jim Hardy was 2 of 12 for 23 yards and an interception and Kenny Washington completed just one of seven for 16 yards. Pat West, who left the game due to injury shortly after his long scoring carry, gained 83 yards on five rushing attempts that included a TD. As for Tom Harmon, he had a quiet debut, being held to negative yardage on three carries.

The Eagles won their next game before losing two and they ended up with a 6-5 record to place second in the Eastern Division. Los Angeles followed up with two wins and a tie on the way to going 6-4-1 and finishing second in the Western Division.

Allie Sherman, the future head coach of the New York Giants, was typically a backup and, for the year, ended up completing 17 of 33 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns while giving up three interceptions.

Bob Waterfield recovered to lead the NFL in pass attempts (251), completions (127), and TD passes (17, tied with Sid Luckman of the Bears) and, for good measure, in extra points (37). He received first-team All-NFL honors from the Associated Press and UPI.

Highlighted Year: Al Denson, 1967

Flanker, Denver Broncos

Age: 25

4^th season in pro football & with Broncos

College: Florida A & M

Height: 6’2”   Weight: 208

Prelude:

Denson starred as a wide receiver in college, catching 68 passes for 1420 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was chosen by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 1964 AFL draft (the Philadelphia Eagles picked him in the NFL draft, also in the sixth round).and caught 25 passes as a rookie flanker. However, he was shifted to backup tight end and his productivity dropped to nine receptions in ’65, but moving into a starting role he had 36 catches for 725 yards (20.1 avg.) and three touchdowns in 1966. Denson returned to flanker, his natural position, in ’67.

1967 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 46 [8, tied with Eric Crabtree & Mike Garrett]     

Most receptions, game – 7 (for 134 yds.) vs. NY Jets 9/24, (for 102 yds.) at Buffalo 11/19, (for 97 yds.) at San Diego 11/23

Yards – 899 [6]

Most yards, game – 134 (on 7 catches) vs. NY Jets 9/24

Average gain – 19.5 [4]

TDs – 11 [1, tied with Otis Taylor]

100-yard receiving games – 4

Rushing

Attempts – 1

Yards – -2

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 11 [3]

Points – 66 [10]

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-AFL: NEA

2^nd team All-AFL: AP, UPI, NY Daily News

2^nd team All-Western Division: Sporting News

AFL All-Star Game

Broncos went 3-11 to finish fourth in the AFL Western Division.

Aftermath:

Denson was injured in the first week of the 1968 season and appeared in just eight games, but still caught a respectable 34 passes for 586 yards (17.2 avg.) and five touchdowns. He followed up with 53 catches for 809 yards (15.3 avg.) and 10 TDs in ’69, and received some second-team All-AFL recognition as well as selection to the last AFL All-Star Game. Following a 47-catch, 646-yard season in 1970, Denson was traded to Minnesota but was little used and left the team, bringing his career to an end. Overall, he caught 260 passes for 4275 yards (16.4 avg.) and 32 touchdowns, with 250 for 4150 yards and all of the TDs coming with the Broncos. Denson received first-team All-AFL recognition from the NEA after one season, was a second-team choice three times, and was selected to two AFL All-Star Games.

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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

1970: Key Turnovers & Brodie TD Passes Lead 49ers Past Browns

The San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns were both 1-0 as they faced each other on September 27, 1970. The 49ers, in their third year under Head Coach Dick Nolan, were coming off of an injury-plagued 4-8-2 record in 1969 but had the tools in place to do much better. QB John Brodie (pictured above) was an experienced and able passer and there was quality at wide receiver and running back. The defense was effective as well, and the placekicking problem of the previous year was resolved with the acquisition of PK Bruce Gossett. The 49ers started off with a Week 1 win against the Redskins.

Cleveland, coached by Blanton Collier since 1963, was in a new division thanks to the AFL/NFL merger, having been placed in the AFC Central. A perennial contender in the NFL’s Eastern Conference, it was anticipated that the Browns would dominate the AFC competition. QB Bill Nelsen was a good leader and passer, although playing on gimpy knees, and star WR Paul Warfield had been dealt away during the offseason in order to trade up for QB Mike Phipps of Purdue in the first round to be groomed as the successor. WR Gary Collins and TE Milt Morin were proven pass receivers, and HB Leroy Kelly a consistent performer. The Browns defeated the Jets the previous Monday night.

There were 37,502 fans in attendance on a hot day at Kezar Stadium. The 49ers advanced 63 yards in eight plays on their first possession as John Brodie threw to HB Doug Cunningham for a 29-yard gain and capped the series with a swing pass to FB Ken Willard that covered the final five yards for a touchdown. Bruce Gossett added the extra point for the 7-0 lead.

Cleveland responded with a six-play, 68-yard possession. Bill Nelsen connected with Leroy Kelly on first down for a 41-yard pickup and FB Bo Scott swept for the final three yards and a TD. Don Cockroft added the game-tying point after.

With the game still in the first quarter, the 49ers got a big defensive play when Nelsen was hit while passing and SS Mel Phillips intercepted for the 49ers, who returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Gossett’s conversion made it a 14-7 contest heading into the second quarter.

The teams exchanged punts before the Browns put together a 95-yard drive in 10 plays, the big one a Nelsen completion to WR Fair Hooker that gained 69 yards to the San Francisco 16. The 49er defense held and Cockroft kicked a 20-yard field goal to make it 14-10.

The 49ers advanced to the Cleveland 43 on their next series, losing WR Dick Witcher to a shoulder separation along the way, and a holding penalty forced a punt. However, San Francisco got another break on defense two plays later when Scott fumbled and DT Roland Lakes recovered at the Cleveland 15. On the next play, Brodie threw to WR Jimmy Thomas for a TD. Gossett added the extra point and the Niners led by a 21-10 score.

The Browns came back with an 80-yard drive in eight plays. Nelsen completed five passes, with the longest to Milt Morin for 27 yards and two to Hooker, for 18 yards and finally an eight-yard TD with 1:12 remaining in the first half. There was still time for the 49ers, but the clock ran out on them at the Cleveland 22 and the score remained 21-17 at halftime.

Cleveland’s first series of the third quarter ended with Kelly running 33 yards up the middle for a touchdown. With Cockroft’s point after, the Browns had their first lead of the day at 24-21. The teams traded punts and Cleveland then took six plays to advance 83 yards, helped along by a 28-yard pass interference penalty. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Willard (pictured at left) carried on a draw play for the last nine yards and a TD. Gossett’s extra point attempt was blocked, but San Francisco was back in front by 27-24.

The visitors fought back with a five-play, 80-yard drive. Nelsen was knocked out of the game when, under a heavy pass rush, he suffered a leg injury after completing a pass to Hooker that gained 62 yards to the San Francisco eight. Blanton Collier chose to go with Don Gault, who had spent time on the taxi squad, over Mike Phipps and Gault handed off to Kelly on the next play for an eight-yard TD. Cockroft’s extra point was successful and Cleveland was back in the lead at 31-27.

After a short series by the 49ers, the Browns, with Gault at quarterback, initially appeared to move the ball well. A throw to Gary Collins picked up 23 yards but, three plays later, LB Dave Wilcox intercepted a pass and returned it 11 yards to his own 36. On second down, Brodie connected with Thomas, who made the catch over LB John Garlington and raced the remaining 35 yards for a 61-yard touchdown. Gossett converted.

Down by three points and with eight minutes left on the clock, there was still plenty of time for the Browns. Taking possession at their 24 following the ensuing kickoff, they ran three plays and, facing fourth down and less than a yard to go, chose to punt. In a key series, the 49ers then controlled the ball for 13 plays (nine of them carries by Willard), going to the air only once. The Browns finally got the ball back at their 30, but with only 22 seconds left to play. San Francisco held on to win by a final score of 34-31.

Cleveland had the edge in total yards (448 to 435) while the 49ers led in first downs (24 to 20). The Browns turned the ball over four times, which proved critical, while San Francisco had none.

John Brodie completed 20 of 31 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Ken Willard ran effectively, gaining 105 yards on 22 carries that included a TD in addition to a score on his lone pass reception. WR Gene Washington had 5 catches for 40 yards but Jimmy Thomas was the pass receiving star for the 49ers with four for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

For the Browns, Bill Nelsen was successful on 14 of 25 throws for 308 yards and a TD, but also gave up an interception that led directly to a score, before being knocked out of the game. Fair Hooker (pictured at right) caught four passes for 157 yards and a touchdown and Gary Collins contributed four receptions for 68 yards. Leroy Kelly rushed for 74 yards on 16 attempts that included two scores and also gained 54 yards on two pass receptions. Bo Scott ran 15 times for 48 yards and a TD but gave up a critical fumble.

“You can’t blame the defense for two of the touchdowns,” said Coach Collier in defeat. “You can’t make as many mistakes as we did and win in this league.”

The 49ers lost the following week but went on to top the NFC West with a 10-3-1 record. They reached the NFC Championship game before falling to Dallas. Cleveland was without Bill Nelsen due to damaged knee ligaments the next week but won with Gault and Phipps at quarterback. However, the Browns slumped during the second half of the season and finished at a disappointing 7-7 and second in the AFC Central.

John Brodie had his finest season as he led the NFL, completing 223 passes for 2941 yards and 24 touchdowns, which were all league-leading figures. He was the consensus MVP and received first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors.

The performance by Jimmy Thomas was his best of the season. Appearing at halfback as well as wide receiver, he caught a total of 12 passes for 221 yards (18.4 avg.) and scored one more TD for a total of three. 

The unheralded Fair Hooker also had his best game of the year, not reaching the hundred-yard threshold for the remainder of the season (or his career, for that matter), but he did emerge as a pleasant surprise for the Browns with 28 catches for 490 yards (17.5 avg.) and two TDs.