Houston Oilers

Vs.

New Orleans Saints

September 6, 1969

 

Oilers  Rout  Saints,  30-14

 

NEW ORLEANS (AP)- Houston's defense accounted for three touchdowns and the Oilers' rookie kicker, Roy Gerela, booted three field goals here Saturday night as the American Football League team demolished the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League, 30-14.

A crowd of 76,932- the largest ever to see a Saints preseason game, gave a rousing halftime welcome to Michael Collins, one of the three astronauts who made the historic moon voyage.

Gerela, a soccer style kicker from Tall River, British Columbia, who attended New Mexico State, had field goals of 15, 18 and 52 yards. His last boot was three yards shy of the AFL record set 1961 by Houston's George Blanda.

The Oilers broke open the game in the third period when a Bill Kilmer pass was intercepted and returned 31 yards to the New Orleans one. On the next play, running back Roy Hopkins went over to give Houston, 20-7 lead.

Before the quarter ended, the Oilers led 30-7 after Gerela's longest field goal and a 76-yard punt return by rookie Jerry Levies of Tom McNiell's 57-yard punt.

In the second period Oiler cornerback Miller Farr scooped up a Kilmer fumble and raced 37 yards for a touchdown.
 

Houston, completing its preseason schedule with a 3-2 won-lost record.

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Final

Oilers

3

10

17

0

30

Saints

0

7

0

7

14

 

Scoring Summary

 

First Quarter

HOU- FG Gerela 15

 

Second Quarter

NO- Baker 37 yard pass from Kilmer (Dempsey kick)

HOU- Farr 37 fumble recovery (Gerela kick)

HOU- FG Gerela 18

 

Third Quarter

HOU- Hopkins 1 run (Gerela kick)

HOU- FG Gerela 52

HOU- Levias 76 punt return (Gerela kick)

 

Fourth Quarter

NO- Morel 10 yard pass from Hargett (Dempsey kick)

 

Att- 76,931

 

RETURN