|
“DIARY OF A WINNER”
|
THE PATRIOTS' FIRST TITLE November 1, 1963 ... The Patriots went on a record scoring spree at the expense of the Houston Oilers at rain soaked Fenway Park. From early in the first quarter until game’s end the rejuvenated Patriots staged their best game for their largest crowd. Never before had the Patriots come through in the real big one and after recent games there was not much reason to expect they would. Twice the crowd was treated to runbacks of interceptions. A 98 yard zoom down the sidelines by safety, Bob Suci was the first, and a 79 yard jaunt by tackle Jim Hunt for another. This was the first time the Patriots have ever returned two interceptions for scores. For the night the Boston defense grabbed off six Houston passes, including those by Ross O’Hanley and Tom Addison in the end zone. The Patriots scored 45 points and it was the largest score in team history. Everything had gone the way of the Patriots. Not once in all previous games, did a big play, bail out the sputtering offense. Tonight it was a short pass up the middle from Babe Parilli to Larry Garron that was clutch. On the 24, Babe hit Garron at the 42 for an easy romp home. From then on it was bizarre. The cagy George Blanda couldn’t handle a snap from center and Nick Buoniconti fell on the ball at the Houston 16 yard line. From there, the Pats got the ball at the one on a pass interference call and Harry Crump took it in from there. At the beginning of the second quarter, punter Tom Yewcic went head over heels as he was brushed by the Houston kick blockers, giving the Pats the ball back. Three plays later, Boston had another score. Houston then started to move the ball until Bob Suci’s interception and 98 yard race down the side line. The score at intermission was 28-3. In the second half Parilli shined. A pass to Artie Graham set up the next score at the 4 yard line. Gino Cappelletti kicked a field goal on the next series and finally big Jim Hunt lumbering 79 yards for his moment of glory. A great night for the offense and a greater night for the defense. Division favorite Houston was totally man-handled. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
