Defense Leads Texans To .500 Mark

The Texans-Chiefs franchise is celebrating its 50th season of play in 2009. This is another look at the founding team of the American Football League and its first season of play.

It was a remarkable day in Buffalo on November 6, 1960 for Walt Corey.

Little did he know that many years later, he would enjoy many wonderful Sunday afternoon’s in western New York as the defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills from 1987 through 1994 with four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl.

But in the first season of the American Football League, Corey (right) led a tough Dallas Texans defense in a 45-28 pasting of the Bills on a Sunday with cold temperatures and a biting wind from the north.

Corey had two interceptions, recovered a fumble and blocked a field goal. He was a little hazy on that second interception, because he took a blow to the head that ended up knocking him out of the game.

“I remember everything except the last interception and nothing after that,” Corey said afterwards.

He did remember the blocked FG that helped set up one of the six Texans touchdowns.

“I will always remember this game as long as I live for one thing,” Corey said. “I red-dogged when the Bills lined up on the 45 for that field goal. Next thing I knew the ball came off Bill Atkins foot, right into my belly. I kept running and the ball was still there. I never saw that happen in football, or ever heard of it happening, a linebacker intercepting a field goal.”

The Texans defense also produced the team’s first touchdown, as CB David Webster returned a fumbled pitch out 10 yards for a score. They added another when S Don Flynn returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.

On the day, Hank Stram’s defense had five interceptions, recovered four fumbles and had Corey’s blocked FG. “Our defensive unit did the big job for us,” said Stram.

The offense wasn’t bad either, as RB Abner Haynes had 80 yards rushing, 25 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Along with his punt and kickoff returns, Haynes had 249 all-purpose yards on the day, including a 83-yard kickoff return. QB Cotton Davidson threw a pair of TD passes, but on the day Dallas had just 69 passing yards. RB Johnny Robinson added a touchdown run.

The victory left the Texans 4-4 on the season and tied for second place in the AFL’s Western Division.

GAME #8 RECAP/1960

• Opponent: Buffalo Bills.
• Site: War Memorial Stadium, crowd estimated at 19,610.
• Score: 45-28 Texans.
• Texans Leading Rusher: Abner Haynes, 13 carries for 80 yards.
• Texans Leading Receiver: Haynes, four catches for 25 yards.
• Texans Leading Passer: Cotton Davidson, 9 of 23 for 57 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT.
• Texans Punter: Davidson five punts, 218 yards, 43.6-yard average.

SCORING SUMMARY

• 1Q – Dallas – D. Webster 10-yard fumble return for TD. J. Spikes PAT kick.
• 1Q – Dallas – A. Haynes 6-yard TD pass from C. Davidson. Spikes PAT kick.
• 2Q – Buffalo – J. Kubacki 10-yard TD run. B. Atkins PAT kick.
• 2Q – Dallas – Spikes 40-yard FG.
• 3Q – Dallas – Haynes 5-yard TD pass from Davidson. Spikes PAT kick.
• 3Q – Dallas – T. Flynn 25-yard interception return for TD. Spikes PAT kick.
• 3Q – Buffalo – M. Crockett 41-yard TD pass from J. Green. Atkins PAT kick.
• 3Q – Dallas – Haynes 15-yard TD run. Spikes PAT kick.
• 4Q – Dallas – J. Robinson 10-yard TD run. Spikes PAT kick.
• 4Q – Buffalo – W. Carlton 2-yard TD run. Atkins PAT kick.
• 4Q – Buffalo – E. Dubenion 35-yard TD pass from T. O’Connell. Atkins PAT kick.