Detroit Lions
Vs.
Buffalo Bills
August 5, 1968
Bills Beat Lions 13-9, in 90 degree heat at Buffalo on Mercer’s 2 Field Goals
McDermott Spurs Buffalo’s Attack
Cogdill Scores for Lions on Pass From Barton in Exhibition Game
BUFFALO, Aug. 5 (AP) The Buffalo Bills, using rookies freely for the first time in an exhibition game, defeated the National Football League Detroit Lions, 13-9, tonight in 90-degree-plus temperature.
Gary McDermott of Tulsa led the one-time American League champions to their first triumph over an N.F.L. team as he repeatedly ripped apart Detroit's line and outsmarted his former college teammate, a Detroit rookie quarterback, Greg Barton.
Another rookie, Ben Gregory of Nebraska, scored Buffalo's touchdown, as he took an 8-yard pass from Jack Kemp at 1 minute 36 seconds of the second period. Just before that pass, Kemp passed 16 yards to Charlie Ferguson and 7 yards to McDermott.
The Bills actually won the game on a pair of field goals- 27 yards and 35 yards-booted by Mike Mercer.
Detroit, down by 10-0, broke into the scoring when the left-footed, soccer-style kicker, Garo Yepremian, booted a 26-yard field goal shortly after the third period began.
Just before the end of the third period, Barton completed a 51-yard pass play to Gail Cogdill that put the Lions on Buffalo's 19. Barton missed on a pass, Mel Fair plunged to the 10, Dave Kopay moved to the 2 in two plays and Farr bulled over for a 6-pointer at the start of the fourth quarter.
Until this game, the second between the Bills and Lions, coach Joe Collier had used his rookies sparingly in preseason contests. But against the Lions, victors over the Bills, 19-17, a year ago, Collier went along steadily with McDermott, Gregory and Dan Darragh, a rookie quarterback from William and Mary.
When Detroit threatened late in the game, however, he sent in Kemp to preserve Buffalo's lead.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Bills | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Lions | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
Scoring Summary
Second Quarter
Bills- Gregory 8 yard pass from Kemp (McDermott run)
Bills- FG Mercer 27
Third Quarter
DET- FG Yepremian 25
Bills- FG Mercer 35
Fourth Quarter
Det- Farr 2 yard run (run failed)
Att- 40,412
