Minnesota Vikings

Vs.

Denver Broncos

August 18, 1967

Broncos Embarrass Second NFL Team
 

DENVER, Colo. (AP)- The Denver Broncos, long the doormat of the American Football League, embarrassed the National Football League for the second time this season with a 14-9 exhibition victory over the Minnesota Vikings Friday night.

Two weeks ago the Broncos, 4-10 last season, but now featuring a new cast of the youngest players in pro football surprised Detroit 13-7.

Down 3-0 after 28 minutes of play, the Broncos rolled to their two touchdowns on the passing of quarterback Steve Tensi, in camp only three days, after a trade with San Diego of the AFL.

He came in after starter Max Choboian failed to generate a Bronco threat.

Tensi touched off the Broncos first touchdown drive with a 54-yard pass to Eric Crabtree, who fell to the ground at the Viking 30 after grabbing the throw. On the second play, Tensi flipped a pass intended for Bob Scarpitto the goal line and officials ruled Ed Sharockman interfered, giving Denver the ball on the one.

Prize rookie Floyd Little from Syracuse carried the ball around right end for the touchdown.

A Tensi-to-Crablree pass for 40 yards highlighted Denver's second touchdown march, covering 80 yards in 10 plays and giving the Broncos a 14-6 lead with 6:02 left in the third period. Cookie Gilchrist bulled over from the one for the TD.

Fred Cox' field goals from 42, 27, and 19 yards produced Minnesota's only scoring. He missed from the 28-yard line with 6:48 left.

Minnesota's final threat died in the last half minute with a goal line interception of a Ron VanderKelen pass by Lonnie Wright.

Minnesota put the first points on the scoreboard with Cox' field goals from the 27 with 3:42 left in the opening quarter. The Vikings moved into scoring range with a 14-play drive covering 63 yards that was kept alive by third-down passes by Vanderkelen to Paul Flatley for 13 yards and to Bill Osborn for 12.

Viking Coach Bud Grant began late in the third period using some of his newcomers and sent in John Hankinson at quarterback to relieve Vanderkelen.

But as the time dwindled, and the Vikings failed to cross Denver's goal line, he sent VanderKelen back in with two minutes left. He managed a completion to John Beasley for 16 yards to Denvers' 32. Two plays later he connected on a 10-yard throw to Gene Washington to Denver's 26. Denver's secondary broke up two other Vanderkelen passes before his final throw intercepted by Wright.

Denver got what proved to be the winning touchdown midway in the third quarter after Bobby Waldon punted over the goal line.

Fullback Cookie Gilchrist carried three times for 22 yards and Little chewed up 16 yards including a 13-yard run. Combined with the 40-yard pass from Tensi to Crabtree, Denver appeared to move in with ease.

The Vikings closed the gap to 14-9 in the last 10 seconds of the third quarter on Cox' 42-yard field goal at the end of a 68-yard march that died on two pass incompletions by VanderKelen at the Denver 34. He tried to hit Flatley and Marlin McKeever, but Denver's aggressive defenders, Gene Sykes, Goldie Sellers and Pete Duranko spilled the receivers.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter
MINN- FG Cox 27

Second Quarter
DEN- Little 1 run (Mann kick)
MINN- Cox FG 19

Third Quarter
DEN- Gilchrist 1 run (Mann kick)
MINN- FG Cox 42

Att- 31,850

RETURN