Texans Defense Keys Another Victory

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.

In a league that would become famous for its offense and scoring, in game No. 13 of the 1960 season the Dallas Texans defense was overpowering on a cold, cloudy Sunday afternoon at the Cotton Bowl. They pitched a shutout for the second straight week, beating the Boston Patriots 34-0 before a crowd of 12,000.

The Texans allowed the Patriots just 151 yards in total offense, and only 18 rushing yards. They forced five turnovers and never allowed Boston to get past the Dallas 42-yard line. The defense also added a touchdown, as CB Duane Wood (left) returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown.

“I was playing the short outside zone,” Wood told reporters after the game. “We knew they would have to pass and he threw it right to me.” Wood grabbed another interception later in the game.

Dallas also got a touchdown out of the kicking game, as Johnny Robinson returned a punt 62 yards for a score in the third quarter.

“Before the punt I told Sherrill (Headrick) to call (the return) to the wide side,” Robinson said. “The ground was so slick that I knew we could have more time to set it up. Nobody touched me, well the last man grazed me a little but he was really out of the play.”

RB Abner Haynes scored on a five-yard run and QB Cotton Davidson connected with WR Chris Burford on a 32-yard TD pass. K Jack Spikes had a pair of FGs as the Texans cruised to their seventh victory of the season. They were now 7-6 on the season and had wrapped up second place in the AFL Western Division.

“I thought the boys played well, especially on the defensive side,” coach Hank Stram said. “It’s always nice when you can keep the other guys out of the end zone.”

GAME #13 RECAP/1960

• Opponent: Boston Patriots.
• Site: Cotton Bowl, crowd estimated at 12,000.
• Score: 34-0 Texans
• Texans Leading Rusher: Abner Haynes, seven carries for 45 yards.
• Texans Leading Receiver: Chris Burford, four catches for 73 yards.
• Texans Leading Passer: Cotton Davidson, 9 of 21 for 133 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT.
• Texans Punter: Davidson two punts, 69 yards, 34.5-yard average.

SCORING SUMMARY

• 1Q – Dallas – J. Spikes 24-yard FG.
• 2Q – Dallas – A. Haynes 4-yard TD run. Spikes PAT kick.
• 3Q – Dallas – D. Wood 66-yard interception return for TD. Spikes PAT kick.
• 3Q – Dallas – J. Robinson 62-yard punt return. Spikes PAT kick.
• 4Q – Dallas – Spikes 46-yard FG.
• 4Q – Dallas – C. Burford 32-yard TD catch. Spikes PAT kick.