Denver Broncos

Vs.

San Francisco 49ers

August 23, 1969

Liske Stars as Broncos Down 49ers

Pete Liske, a refugee from Canadian football, broke open a field goal battle tonight with his first touchdown pass in AFL play, a 41-yard pass to Mike Haffner, as the Denver Broncos scored a 19-15 preseason victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Haffner's diving catch gave the Broncos their first triumph after two losses in the preseason. It was the 49ers' third straight defeat.

The game had been a field goal contest until Haffner scored with 1:13 left in the third period. Denver's Bobby Howfield connected from 17, 19, 52, and 47 yards. San Francisco's Tommy Davis scored from 47, 38, and 29 yards.

Liske started the second half half for Denver after Steve Tensi had set up three of Howfield's field goals in the first half. At one point, Tensi drove the Broncos to the San Francisco 1-yard line, but fumbled and the 49ers recovered.

John Brodie quarterbacked San Francisco most of the game, but was unable to lead 49ers to a touchdown. Quarterback Steve Spurrier came in midway in the fourth quarter for the 49ers and led them to their only touchdown. Spurrier, the former Heisman Trophy winner from Florida, hit tight end Dick Witcher in the end zone from two yards out with 27 seconds left.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

DEN- FG Howfield 17

Second Quarter

SF- FG Davis 47

DEN- FG Howfield 19

SF- FG Davis 38

DEN- FG Howfield 52

Third Quarter

SF- FG Davis 29

Den- Haffner 41 yard pass from Liske (Howfield kick)

Fourth Quarter

DEN- FG Howfield 47

SF- Witcher 2 yard pass from Spurrier (pass failed)

Att- 33,141

RETURN