In another EPFA game that didn't feature a ton of offense, but was close late, San Francisco defeated Denver, 16-14, scoring the only points of the second half on two field goals.
Denver grabbed the early lead on a 50-yard pass from Charley Johnson to Haven Moses late in the first quarter. The 49ers responded before the end of the period, when Ken Willard caught a pass from John Brodie and completed a 46-yard touchdown.
Denver's Gene Washington (both teams have one) put the Broncos back in front early in the second quarter, scoring on a 3-yard pass from Johnson after the quarterback had hit Otis Armstrong with a 60-yard catch-and-run to set up the score. San Francisco held the ball for much of the second quarter, culminating a 9 minute, 42 second drive with a 44-yard field goal. Denver led, 14-10, at the half.
But that was about it for the Broncos offense. Denver gained just 59 yards in the second half, and even though they held the 49ers out of the end zone, they found themselves trailing, 16-14, early in the final period. Denver's first chance to take the lead failed when the Broncos missed a 58-yard field goal. After San Francisco failed to run the clock out, Hackbart returned a punt 30 yards to the Denver 41. Not far from another field goal, and with time and time outs to use, Denver's rally ended when Johnson's pass under pressure was tipped and intercepted by middle linebacker Jim Sniadecki, preserving the 49ers' win.
San Francisco and Pittsburgh are 1-0 and will meet in Week 2. The winner will practically clinck a berth in Super Bowl I. Denver and New England will battle in the week's other game, both are 0-1. The loser will be eliminated from Super Bowl contention.
DEN 7 7 0 0 - 14
SFO 7 3 3 3 - 16
Scoring
DEN - Moses 50 pass from Johnson (kick good)
SF - Willard 46 pass from Brodie (kick good)
DEN - Washington 3 pass from Johnson (kick good)
SF - FG 44
SF - FG 48
SF - FG 39
Team Stats
Rushing: DEN 27-80; SF 25-67
Passing: DEN 14-131; SF 23-166
Total: DEN 41-211; SF 48-233
Returns: 5-160; SF 3-40
First Downs: DEN 11; SF 10
Penalties: DEN 3-20; SF 0-0
Turnovers: DEN 1; SF 0
Time of Possession: DEN 27:57; SF 32:03
Individual Stats - Denver Broncos (0-1)
Rushing: Johnson 11-23; Armstrong 15-57, Dawkins 1-0.
Passing: Johnson 6-for-13, 136 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT.
Receiving: Moses 2-70, 1 TD; Armstrong 2-66; Washington 1-3, 1 TD; Odoms 1-(-3).
Returns: Moses 3-125; Thompson 1-5; Hackbart 1-30.
Tackles-For Loss: Laskey 4-2; Smith 3-2; Thompson 1-0; Duranko 3-0; Chavous 4-0; Jackson 2-0; Hackbart 3-0; Jones 3-0; Tyler 1-0; May 1-0; Anderson 1-0; Graham 2-0; Greer 1-0; Mitchell 1-1.
Sacks: Smith 1.
Forced Fumbles-Recoveries: None.
Interceptions: None.
Individual Stats - San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
Rushing: Willard 7-(-3); Brodie 8-52; V. Washington 1-0; Cunningham 9-18.
Passing: Brodie 12-for-22, 171 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT.
Receiving: Willard 1-46, 1 TD; Thomas 2-21; G. Washington 2-39; Abramowicz 3-25; Kwalick 1-4; Cunningham 2-29; Witcher 1-7.
Returns: V. Washington 1-25; G. Washington 1-15; Phillips 1-0.
Tackles-For Loss: McGill 2.5-1; Phillips 5.5-1; Thomas 1-0; Krueger 3-0; Johnson 1-0; Hoskins 5-1; Sniadecki 2-0; Hardman 3-1; Wilcox 1-0; Hart 1-0; Taylor 1-0; Kwalick 1-0.
Sacks: Hoskins 1.
Forced Fumbles-Recoveries: None.
Interceptions-Yards Returned: Sniadecki 1-1.
Coming tomorrow, a photo gallery from Week 1 in the colleges and pros.
Ed
