Dallas Cowboys

Vs.

New York Jets

September 6, 1969

Staubach Sparks Dallas

By DAVE ANDERSON

Special to The New York Times

DALLAS, Sept. 6 As a precaution against aggravation of the strained tendon in his left knee, Joe Namath watched from the sideline tonight as the New York Jets lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 25-9, in their final exhibition game before a standing-room crowd of 74,771 at the Cotton Bowl.

Vito (Babe) Parilli, the 39 year-old stand-in, opened at quarterback for the Jets  and generated a 9-0 lead midway in the second quarter on Jim Turner's three field goals from 33,  15 and 15 yards.

But the Cowboys rallied behind Roger Staubach, the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner from Navy, who sparked the defending Capitol Division champions of the National Football League with his scrambling style. Craig Morton had dislocated his right index finger late in the first half.

Staubach woke up the Cowboys with a 17-yard touchdown run with four seconds remaining in the half to provide a 10-9 lead. In the second half, the recently discharged naval officer threw a 1-yard touch­down pass to Walt Garrison and positioned Les Shy's 2-yard touchdown run. Namath's absence was obvious. The Jets produced only three first downs, and none after the first quarter. Al Woodall, the rookie from Duke, was at quarterback for the Jets throughout the second half, but he was unable to penetrate the Cowboys' defensive unit.

Namath decided not to risk additional injury to his left knee, his relatively "good" knee, on advice from Dr. James A. Nicholas, the Jets' orthopedic specialist. The Jets open their American Football League season next Sunday against the Bills in Buffalo.

"If this was a regular-season game, I'd play," Namath said, "but by playing in this game, I could possibly be prevented from playing next Sunday, or from practicing early next week."

Weeb Ewbank, the Jets' general manager and coach, chose to keep Namath in a green Jet T-shirt and brown bellbottom slacks in order to reduce the antagonism of the sellout crowd, lured by Namath's appeal.

“If he was in uniform," Ewbank said, "they'd only be yelling for him to play. This way, maybe they'll realize he's hurt. As the flamboyant quarterback strolled down the runway toward the field, he was labeled as "chicken" by several, shouting Cowboy loyalists in this N.F.L. bastion, but he responded casually with the peace sign, raising the first two fingers of his right hand.

Namath incurred the strained tendon a week ago in the Jets' 24-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at Winston-Salem, N.C.

While the Jets preserved Namath, they could not put all their players in cotton batting. George Sauer, the star wide receiver, departed in the second quarter with what was described as "blurred vision" and Randy Beverly, the right cornerback, incurred a pulled groin muscle.

Beverly might be a questionable starter against the Bills. Jim Richards would be the likely replacement, although Ewbank might consider returning Johnny Sample to the roster if the 34-year-old cornerback has recovered from his ailing back. Three other Jets were injured. Al Atkinson, the middle linebacker, incurred a sprained knee and Lee White, the backup fullback, a strained knee. Mike Battle had his nose broken for the ninth time in his career. All three are expected to be available for the season opener.

In addition to Morton's injury, the Cowboys were jolted by the loss of Bob Hayes, their speedy wide receiver, for several weeks. During the warm up, Hayes fell while running a pass pattern and incurred a separation of his left shoulder. Surgery will be performed tomorrow.

The loss to the Cowboys evened the Jets' preseason won-lost record at 3-3, including a 2-2 mark with N.F.L. foes. In addition to the victory over the Vikings, the Jets routed the Giants, 38-14, and conquered the College All-Stars, 26-24. They also lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 13-6, and to their A.F.L. rival, the Oakland Raiders, 24-7.

The Cowboys, who complete their exhibition schedule next week against Baltimore, have won four of five games.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

NYJ- FG Turner 33

NYJ- FG Turner 15

NYJ- FG Turner 15

Second Quarter

DAL- FG Clark 12

DAL- Stabach 11 run (Clark kick)

Third Quarter

DAL- FG Clark 25

DAL- Garrison 1 yd pass from Staubach (kick failed)

Fourth Quarter

DAL- Shy 2 run (kick Failed)

Att-74771

RETURN