Houston Oilers vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1968

Dallas Cowboys

Vs.

Houston Oilers

August 31, 1968

Cowboy Comeback Beats Oilers, 33-19

HOUSTON (AP)- A second half charge led by the passing of Craig Morton, the running of Don Perkins and the receiving of Craig Baynham carried the Dallas Cowboys to a 33-19 interleague exhibition football victory over the Houston Oilers Saturday night.

A standing-room crowd of 52,289 watched the two Texas professional teams battle in the Astrodome.

Morton took over at the hall with the Cowboys leading 13-12 and guided Dallas on two long scoring drives to a 27-12 advantage.

One drive covered 75 yards and the other 73.

After Houston managed to cut the score to 27-19 in the fourth period on an eight-yard pass from Bob Davis to Lionel Taylor. Morton put Dallas out of danger with a 36-yard scoring strike to Baynham.

Dallas, runner up the past two seasons, now is 3-2 in pre-season play. Houston, defending American Football League eastern division champion, lost its first game after four straight victories.

The big play in Dallas' first half touchdown drive was a Morton-to-Lance Rentzel pass for 43 yards. Rentzel fumbled but the ball rolled out on the three.

Baynham eventually scored from the one.

Perkins, who carried 13 times for 79 yards, was the big gainer in another drive, scoring from the one, after setting it up with a 17-yard gain.

Dallas scored two first half touchdowns, one on a 40-yard pass from Don Meredith to Baynham, and another on a one yard run by Les Shy.

Houston managed a pair of first half field goals by John Wittenborn, one for 43 yards and another for 26 yards and on a nine-yard pass from Pete Beathard to Jim Bierne.

Baynham caught four passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

Houston scored on its first possession after receiving the kickoff for-a brief 3-0 lead. Beathard moved the Oilers to the Dallas 19 where the drive bogged down and Wittenborn kicked his first field goal.

With Perkins and Shy doing most of the ball carrying, the Cowboys moved 59 yards to take a 6-3 lead. Shy made the final yard.

After Wittenborn's second field goal tied the score, the Oilers went ahead for the only time and the hard-charging Houston line set this one up.

Meredith, back to pass on his own 26, was hit by George Webster. Meredith fumbled and Olen Underwood recovered for Houston on the nine.

On the next play, Beathard hit Bierne for the score.

Meredith moved the Cowboys 70 yards in five plays to take the lead two minutes later, climaxing it with his 40-yard toss to Baynham. Pettis Norman caught a Meredith pass for the conversion.

Dallas now has taken both games played by the two teams. The Cowboys won 30-17 last year in Rice Stadium.

Meredith hit six of nine passes for 84 yards and Morton competed five of nine for 90 yards. Beathard hit 12 of 21 for 121 and Davis hit three of nine for 60 yards.