Detroit Lions

Vs.

Buffalo Bills

August 30, 1968

Brownies Rally Tumbles Buffalo, 22 To 12

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Dan Darragh, at 21 and Max Anderson, at 23, had every right today to feel like grown-up men. Furthermore, 45,448 football fans and the entire Cleveland Browns probably will say they are.

Darragh and Anderson, two of the four rookies who started in the Buffalo Bills' backfield Friday night, gave every indication they were headed for football stardom.

Despite their outstanding performances, the Bills were unable to hold the Browns in check and the American Football League team lost to the National Leaguers, 22-12.

It was a pair of veterans, Leroy Kelly and Charley Harraway, who foiled things for the Bills. Kelly and Harraway teamed to drive the Browns 80 yards in 14 plays to give Cleveland a fourth period go-ahead touchdown, scored by Harraway from the one. Frank Ryan's eight-yard touchdown pass to Paul Warfield minutes later iced the cake.

But Darragh, getting his big chance after veteran quarterback Jack Kemp tore ligaments in his right knee Monday, seemed as cool as though he had been playing professional football for years.

"I wasn't completely satisfied," he said after the game. "But it was a great break playing as long as I did - it really was a chance of a lifetime."

He tossed 33 passes and completed 15 to 185 yards.

Anderson, a 180- pounder and only 5-foot-8, utilized his speed and shiftiness to slip under the Cleveland defense time and time again. He carried the ball 23 times for 103 yards, an average of 4.4 yards. His longest gain was 12 yards.

Blanton Collier, Cleveland's coach, left the sidelines at the end of the game to shake Darragh's hand on the field.

"He did a fine job, he has a strong arm and wonderful poise, Collier said of Darragh Kelly carried the ball 20 times and picked up 147 yards, while Harraway ran for 96 in 13 tries.

Cleveland took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Leroy Kelly ran six yards for a touchdown around the right side. The score capped an 80-yard drive on 14 plays in which Kelly picked up 51 yards.

Mike Mercer kicked two field goals in the second quarter, one 23 yards and one 42 yards, to cut the Browns lead to 7-6 by the half. Buffalo took the lead in the third quarter 12-7 when Rookie Ben Gregory ran for a touchdown and Anderson, ran for the extra point.

The Browns narrowed it to 12-10 by the end of the third period on a 40-yard field goal by Don Cockcroft.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

CLE-Kelly 6 run (Ryan run)

Second Quarter

BUF- FG Mercer 23

BUF- FG Mercer 42

Third Quarter

BUF- Gregory 1 run (run failed)

CLE- FG Cockroft 40

Fourth Quarter

CLE- Haraway 1 run (pass failed)

CLE- Warfield 8 yard pass from Ryan (pass failed)

Att- 45,448

RETURN