Texans End Losing Streak Behind Abner

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.

The Texans stopped their three-game losing streak by going on the road and beat the Denver Broncos 17-14 on Sunday, October 30, 1960. A crowd of 13,102 turned out at Bears Stadium in Denver to watch the contest.

It was also the breakout game for one of their best players in that first season: rookie RB Abner Haynes out of North Texas State. From this game on, Haynes became the focal point of the Texans offensive attack and combined with his duties as a punt and kick returner, the Dallas native established a legacy in the franchise’s very first season.

Dallas never trailed in this game, scoring first and leading throughout. But the outcome was not decided until 29 seconds remained to be played in the game. That’s when Broncos K Gene Mingo missed a 29-yard FG that would have tied the game. Remember, at that time there was no overtime in the regular season.

Playing under clear skies and cool conditions, this game turned into a defensive struggle. Twice the Texans put together long drives, going 61 and 78 yards, but came away from both without a point. Denver turned the ball over five times. That topped Dallas, as the Texans had four turnovers.

“The defense played well today,” coach Hank Stram said after the game. “Offensively, other than Abner it was disappointing.”

Haynes had a big game as he started a push that would eventually lead him to the AFL’s rookie of the year and player of the year honors for the inaugural season. Haynes had 177 yards in total offense against Denver, including a three-yard TD run in the second quarter.

Up to that point of the season, Haynes had really been in the shadows of a very talented running backs group led by Jack Spikes, Johnny Robinson and Bo Dickinson. But as the season wore on, Haynes became a bigger part of the offense and finished that ‘60 season as the team’s leading rusher and receiver, with 1,451 total offensive yards.

Add in the punt and kickoff return yardage, and Haynes had a rookie season of 2,100 all-purpose yards.

Haynes score was the Texans second TD, as RB Jack Spikes scored in the first quarter on a one-yard run. That score was set up by a 34-yard screen pass play between QB Cotton Davidson and Haynes. Dallas gained possession when LB Ted Greene recovered a Denver fumble.

Spikes later added an 11-yard FG in the third quarter, when Davidson missed a wide open Ed Bernet in the end zone. That kick gave the Texans a 17-7 lead, but the Broncos came back and hit a big play, a 55-yard TD pass from Frank Tripucka to Bob McNamara. The PAT kick made it 17-14 and then Denver put together another drive at the end of the game, the ended with Mingo’s missed FG.

Even with the victory, the now 3-4 Texans were in last place in the AFL’s Western Division, as both the Chargers and Broncos were 4-3 and the Raiders were 4-4.

GAME #7 RECAP/1960

• Opponent: Denver Broncos.
• Site: Bears Stadium, crowd estimated at 13,102.
• Score: 17-14 Texans.
• Texans Leading Rusher: Abner Haynes, 27 carries for 81 yards.
• Texans Leading Receiver: Haynes, seven catches for 96 yards.
• Texans Leading Passer: Cotton Davidson, 12 of 23 for 187 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT.
• Texans Punter: Davidson five punts, 223 yards, 44.6-yard average.

SCORING SUMMARY

1Q – Dallas – J. Spikes 1-yard TD run. Spikes PAT kick.

1Q – Denver – Carmichael 47-yard TD run. G. Mingo PAT kick.

2Q – Dallas – Haynes 3-yard TD run. Spikes PAT kick.

3Q – Dallas – Spikes 11-yard FG.

4Q – Denver – B. McNamara 55-yard TD pass from F. Tripucka. Mingo PAT kick.

 

	Broncos	Texans
First Downs	13	19
Total Yards	302	308
Rushing Yards	123	121
Net Passing Yards	179	187
Att-Comp-Int	31/14/2	23/12/2
Punts/Avg Yds.	5/35.6	5/44.6
Penalties/Yards	1/5	4/20
Fumbles/Lost	4/3	2/2