Buffalo Bills

Vs.

Detroit Lions

August 15, 1969

Detroit Whips Bills - 0.J. Sees Little Action

DETROIT (AP)- That new kid from Buffalo, O.J. Simpson, has learned what it's like to watch from the sidelines, thinking without saying- "me coach, put me in."

Simpson, who led Southern California to all kinds of glory during the past three years, appeared briefly Friday in his first game as a professional football player. Another relatively new sensation for the newest member of the Buffalo Bills is losing. The Lions dropped the Bills 24-12

"It was kind of tough standing on the sidelines," Simpson said after the game. ''I'm not used to that.

"I know we'll be contenders. I like to win and so do the other guys," added the Heisman trophy winner who singled out reserve quarterback James Harris for a compliment on passing accuracy.

Harris hit Simpson in the fourth period with a 38-yard pass which set up the Bill's second touchdown. With less than two minutes left Harris pitched to Bill Enyart after the long Simpson pass and the ball rested on the 14-yard line. The rookie quarterback from Grambling turned to Enyart again for the touchdown toss.

Buffalo's first touchdown, in the first period, came on the play after Simpson first entered the game, apparently as a decoy. Simpson, who signed a three-year pact for a reported $300,000 after a long holdout, commanded much of the attention of the 34,000 customers when he entered midway through the period.

However quarterback Tom Flores sent Simpson on a diversionary scamper to one side of the end zone and hit wide receiver Haven Moses with a 20-yard touchdown pass in the other corner.

Detroit scored first, moving 72 yards in just three plays. Running back Mel Farr carried a pitchout 31 yards and on the next play quarterback Bill Munson hit Earl McCullouch for a 37-yard gain. Farr then carried three yards for the touchdown.

The Lions scored again in the second quarter when Munson passed to Charlie Sanders in the end zone. Lem Barney set up the touchdown, intercepting a pass at the Detroit 18 and returning to the Buffalo 10.

Errol Mann hit on a 20-yard field goal with 12:40 left in the game and the Lions scored their final touchdown on a play that covered 48 yards in three seconds.

With 25 seconds left in the game, Rookie Altie Taylor found a hole in the center of the Bills' line and crossed the goal untouched. In the 23 seconds left in the contest, Buffalo could only return the kickoff and complete one play.

Taylor was probably the brightest spot for the Detroit coaches and the inaccurate passing of veteran quarterback Munson was a sore subject in the locker room. Munson, who joined the Lions last year in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, completed just three of 14 pass attempts. Two of the completions, however, were for touchdowns.

Greg Landry, who relieved Munson in the second half completed one of five passes.

"I'm glad its over," said Simpson of his pro debut.

Taylor, widely praised in the Detroit dressing room, was also applauded by Simpson, a former foe when both played the California junior college circuit.

"Altie played a real fine game," Simpson said. "He's gotten better every time I've seen him and I expect he's going to be real tough."

Coach Joe Schmidt of the Lions echoed the sentiments of Simpson and added, "He played exceptionally well . . a little better than 0.J., I think."

Simpson said he played more than he had expected considering his lack of practice with the team. Coach John Rauch said he put Simpson in more during the second half "because he seemed to be having a good time. He seemed to be enjoying himself."

"He's going to be good," Rauch said of Simpson, "because he runs tough in the middle. He knows how to follow his blockers and he's a fine receiv er.

"But hey, this is no new find," Rauch noted. "This guy has done it before."
 

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
DET- Farr 3 run (Mann kick)
BUF- Moses 20 yard pass from Flores (kick failed)

Second Quarter
BUF- Sanders 10 yard pass from Munson (Mann kick)

Fourth Quarter
DET- FG Mann 20
BUF- Enyart 22 pass from Harris (kick failed)
DET- Taylor 48 yard run (Mann kick)

Att- 34,206

RETURN