SEPTEMBER 22, 1975
TITANS SURPRISE DEFENDING CHAMPS
New York Tops Buffalo 20-14 as AFA Kicks Off 1975 CampaignThe first Sunday of the 1975 AFA season belonged to defense, field position — and the unexpected.
It wasn't pretty as the New York Titans had nearly as many punts as they did first downs but the Titans showing was effective as they held off the defending World Classic champion Buffalo Red Jackets 20-14 in a game that was dominated by the defense for both teams. The loss for Buffalo was doubly tough when quarterback Jason Myers was knocked out of the game after his knee was pinned awkwardly under him when Titans linebacker Booker Viera sacked the Red Jackets star signal caller late in the second quarter. Fortunately for Buffalo the injury was not as serious as first feared but Myers is expected to miss at least one and perhaps two games.
The game was tied 7-7 late in the second quarter when Myers went down after completing 11 of 18 pass attempts for 82 yards including a 6-yard touchdown throw to Tom Bowens Jr. minutes before his injury. Without his starting quarterback, Buffalo coach Tom Bowens Sr., had to adjust his offense and the Red Jackets passing game was almost non-existent with backup Chris Kennedy calling the shots. The 8th year pro, who had completed just one regular season pass since Myers arrived in 1973, struggled mightily and went just 4-for-14 throwing the ball. Nothing illustrated the Red Jackets futility on offense more than their final series of the game when, trailing 20-14, Kennedy threw four consecutive poor passes, all incompletions, that ended any hope of a Buffalo comeback.
New York's offense was not much better as James Tovar completed less than half of his throws and passed for just 119 yards but he did find Jack De Lacey for a four yard score in the closing moments of the first half that put the Titans ahead 14-7, a lead they would not relinquish.
The Titans managed just 13 first downs, 189 yards of total offense and was only 5-for-19 on third down attempts but the Titans defense ensured that the Red Jackets were worse in each of those categories. The Red Jackets gained just 24 yards on the ground, a task made much easier for the Titan defenders when it was quickly determined that Kennedy would not be a threat through the air. Viera, who had 7 tackles to go along with his sack, had a strong game but the Titans most impactful player on this day might well have been punter Larry Snodgrass, who was kept very busy with 11 punts on the afternoon. Snodgrass boomed most of them, averaging over 51 yards a kick and placed 5 of them inside the Buffalo 20-yard line to ensure that his club would win the battle for field position.
Next up for the Titans will be another difficult challenge as they host the other team to reach the World Classic last season in the Houston Drillers. It is early but without Myers and with a second consecutive game against a National Conference East Division foe in the Cincinnati Riverman the defending champs run the danger of falling well behind their division rivals.
*** Drillers Survive in Overtime ***
If the Titans’ win raised eyebrows, the performance of the powerhouse Houston Drillers raised questions. Houston, coming off an 0–3 preseason, needed overtime and the right leg of James Alcala to escape with a 27–24 victory over the Seattle Roughnecks.
Seattle, which went just 5-9 a year ago and has not had a winning season since 1971, appeared poised for the upset after rookie Walter Martinez capped a strong fourth-quarter drive with a six-yard scoring run to put the Roughnecks ahead 24–21. Martinez gained 41 of his game high 99 yards rushing on that scoring drive. However the Drillers, who have not had a losing record since 1961, put together a late drive to get into field goal position for Alcala. His 24-yard kick with 11 seconds remaining in regulation tied the contest and then after winning the coin toss for overtime the Drillers did just enough to give Alcala a chance to win the game. His 42-yard boot split to uprights to give Houston a 27-24 decision.
It was a tough result for the Roughnecks, who likely deserved better after they were treated to a strong game by third year quarterback Ellis Rick (21-of-28 for 190 yards). Seattle outgained Houston and had the edge in time of possession but the veteran Drillers, as they so often do, simply found a way to win.
Houston quarterback Randall Silva had a workmanlike game and while the running back question - a position decimated by retirement over the off-season- may still be unanswered although first round pick Anderson Nail did gain 70 yards on 17 carries, the Drillers prevailed. On defense, Bobby Barrell Jr. was far less involved than is usually the case for the 31-year-old all-world defensive end but he still garnered plenty of attention from the Seattle blockers, which may have opened the door for Roger Hansen to shine. Hansen, the other end on the Drillers defensive line, had two sacks and forced a fumble and is already a third of the way towards his previous season high in sacks. Linebacker Max Brunner also made his presence felt with a game high 10 tackles and a sack. That is the beauty of Houston's defense as you can stop one piece but there are simply so many other weapons that it is impossible to contain them all.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The Minnesota Lakers opened their season with a 14-7 victory over the worst team in the league a year ago, doubling Atlanta 14-7. Juan Romo ran for 123 yards and a touchdown to pace the Lakers offense. Gus Robards completed 15 of 24 passes for 126 yards but was also intercepted 3 times by the Firebirds defense. Atlanta's offense was practically invisible as veteran quarterback Paul Fairfield completed just 6 of 14 throws for 77 yards prompting calls from the crowd for first overall draft pick Allen McCallister to get his shot under center despite the fact that the former St. Blane star struggled mightily in the preseason. The Atlanta running game was dreadful averaging barely a yard a carry on 33 attempts.
The Detroit Maroons opened the season with a victory at Thompson Field, downing the New Orleans Crescents 21-3. It was an awful display of football by both offenses, particularly the hosts who gained just 109 yards of total offense. The Crescents were not much better but shot themselves in the foot as quarterback Royce Neill was picked off three times including a pair of interceptions that the Maroons returned for touchdowns.
The Boston Americans went into Cougars Park and their defense completely overwhelmed the Chicago Wildcats in a 13-7 victory. Boston held the Wildcats to less than 100 yards of offense and it is a miracle that Wildcats quarterback Carl Pederson survived the afternoon. He was sacked 13 times including 3 from veteran Yanks defensive end Wayne Flemming who had a field day with the injury-depleted Chicago offensive line. Despite the constant running for his life, Pederson had Chicago ahead 7-3 after finding Frank Roberts for a 39-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. The lone Boston touchdown did not come until the midway mark of the third quarter when Jeff Stockton ran for a three yard score after the Americans had been given great field position thanks to a 54-yard punt return courtesy of Jacob Sloane.
Defense was also the story at Fitzpatrick Park where the only touchdown came on an Edward Ball 24-yard interception return for a score midway through the third quarter to put the Pittsburgh Paladins ahead of the New York Stars 7-6. The game would end in that score with Lewis Tanner's two field goals accounting for all of the Stars offense. The turnover ruined a pretty solid game for Stars quarterback Dick Cleaves, who had an awful time as the starter a year ago and completed just 39% of his passes in 1974. Cleaves was much better on this day, hitting his target on 19 of 36 attempts for 173 yards but the interception proved the difference between winning and losing.
Charlie Singletary threw for 239 yards to help the San Francisco Wings defeat their long-time rivals the Los Angeles Tigers 19-7. It was the 49th meeting between the two foes and San Francisco leads the series 28-21. The only Wings touchdown came on a Clifford Lattimore 1 yard plunge as kicker Herb Wilson accounted for the rest of the San Francisco scoring by connecting on all four of his field goal attempts.
The Washington Wasps jumped out to a 20-7 second quarter lead on Milwaukee and went on to beat the Stags 29-13 at Milwaukee's Lakefront Stadium. Terry Bergeron threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns but was also intercepted twice, both by Stags cornerback Steven Hunter including one Hunter returned 41 yards for his first career touchdown. Veteran Milwaukee running back Dave McFadden had an awful day as he was held to just 7 yards on 23 carries.
Patrick Kelly started his first game at quarterback for St Louis in three years and did enough to lead the Ramblers to a 14-9 win over the Admirals in San Diego. Kelly, who won the starting job from incumbent Jerry Flores in training camp, completed just 7 of 16 passes on the day but two were for second quarter touchdowns. San Diego had success moving the football, and quarterback Duane Gray threw for 207 yards, but struggled in the red zone and was forced to settle for field goals.
In Kansas City Joshua Sellers had a strong game for the Cowboys, throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a surprisingly easy 30-6 victory over the visiting Cleveland Finches. Running back Jimmy Walker had 100 yards receiving while wide receiver Al Blackburn caught a touchdown pass and ran for another score as the Cowboys had little difficulty moving the ball against the Finches.
Robert Haas, offensive MVP a year ago, picked up right where he left off last season for the Denver Mountaineers. The fifth year quarterback threw for 170 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another major to lead the Mountaineers to a 27-3 drubbing of Miami. It was a disappointing result on the road for the Mariners, who went 11-3 a year ago and have not missed the playoffs since 1965. Miami quarterback Jeff Conroy had a rough day, completing just 15 of 35 pass attempts and was intercepted twice including one that Denver defensive back George Van Beek returned 43 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown that put an exclamation mark on the Mountaineers victory.
Chuck Rayford threw for 173 yards and a touchdown while Lanny Keel returned a first quarter interception 41 yards for a score to help the Cincinnati Riverman hold off the visiting Philadelphia Frigates 16-10. Two Butch White interceptions doomed the Frigates with the first quarter Keel score turning the game around after Philadelphia had gained some early momentum. On their opening drive Riverman tight end Todd Poindexter fumbled the ball and Philadelphia recovered but on the next play White was picked off by Keel who returned the ball for the opening score and Cincinnati never trailed in the game.
Drama in Dallas as the visiting Los Angeles Olympians held off a late charge to defeat the Dallas Stallions 13-10. The Olympians led 6-3 until quarterback Jim Moran completed three straight passes including a 6-yard scoring strike to Keith Aguilar with less than 4 minutes remaining to increase the lead to 13-3. That touchdown proved essential as Dallas quarterback Keith Hale found Richard Marshall for a 65-yard scoring pass to cut the LA lead to 3 points with a little over a minute remaining. A Dallas desperation onsides kick attempt failed to work and the Olympians were able to run out the clock.
Week One rarely defines a season. But for the champions in Buffalo, the powerhouse in Houston, and several clubs with January aspirations, the margin between comfort and concern already feels thin.
THREE TEAMS WITHIN HALF GAME OF EAST DIVISION LEAD AS SEASON ENTERS FINAL WEEKHalf the divisions had absolutely zero action in the final month, and one is a few moments away from being decided, but if the CA East doesn't go down to the last day it would be a surprise.
A division where no one has been able to separate and seemingly a new team is on top each week, the baseball world will be firmly focused on the game's most crowded division.
At print, the New York Imperials hold a lead of the slightest margins, half a game over both the Arrows and Foresters, after a huge three game sweep of the Wolves in New York. They also have one of the easier schedules left, three hosting the Saints, an off day, and then they finish the year with a three game set against the Wolves in Toronto. At 77-79, the Saints could get back into the division race, especially with a sweep, but them and the Wolves have gone 9-21 against New York. They have their best record against the Wolves, and the only other team they've played better then Montreal is the Sailors.
Of course, the Imperials are the most fragile team in baseball, and they were dealt yet another big blow to the roster. This one hurts the most, as their likely batting title winner Woody Richardson will miss the rest of the season with an oblique strain. Coming over in probably the best move of the offseason, the 27-year-old first basemen has hit an outstanding .347/.401/.475 (140 OPS+) with 22 doubles, 13 homers, 67 runs, 82 RBIs, and nearly twice as many walks (46) as strikeouts (24). Richardson joins notable bats Bill Wood (.256, 7, 56, 14) and Phil Terry (.301, 17, 71, 14), as well as co-ace John Alfano (8-11, 4.15, 69) on the IL, and one has to wonder if this is finally the injury that keeps them out of the postseason. Their depth will be seriously tested, but they can move All-Star outfielder Al Reece (.339, 9, 64, 18) to first, improving the defense with someone like Freddy Curtis (.230, 3, 24, 7) or Brian Miller (.244, 4, 16). While not ideal, it has to work for just a week, as a first division title in team history is firmly in reach.
Milwaukee and Cleveland both face one of the teams the Imperials face, with their other series against the Cincinnati Cannons. The Cannons are tied with the Wolves for last, and start with a two game series hosting the Arrows. At 80-77, the Arrows have one more loss then the Imperials, and will need to make up ground with two series on the road. One less game could make it tougher to catch up, but they're playing some of their best baseball this year. Their 12-8 September record is reminiscent of their early season success, and they've gotten huge performances from the almost 29-year-old Tex Cavanaugh (10-12, 3.03, 125). Used to pathetic run support all year, he's just 2-1 in September, but it comes with a dominant 1,37 ERA (284 ERA+) in 26.1 innings pitched. Paul Barkley (.268, 14, 73, 19) and Rich Moyer (.328, 10, 65, 16) have really been hitting well too, and the duo is doing what they can to will their team back to the playoffs.
Cleveland then has one less win then the Imperials, and are stuck with a double header to open the week. A spot starter may be expected, as while they are off on Thursday, they've played 17 in a row and have the flexibility of an expanded roster to lessen the loss of a pen arm. Four against the Wolves could end in easy wins, especially at home, and three against the rival Cannons could set up some very interesting storylines.
*** Suns Magic Number at 2 ***
While all but a formality at this point, the Los Angeles Suns have got their magic number down to just two games, as they open the last week of the season with a six game lead over the Houston Comets. The two teams meet in the middle of the week, a pair of games in Houston on Wednesday and Thursday, buy by that series the division could already be wrapped up.
LA opens the week with two in Minnesota, and if they win both, it won't even matter what the Comets do. Same goes if the Comets lose both games to the Pioneers, and if both teams split things will be finished as well. What gets interesting is if the Suns get swept and the Comets sweep, which would make the last series of the season meaningful. LA would still hold a two game lead, and be at home to finish the season, but they'd get a tougher test. Instead of a bottom feeder like the Pioneers, which should be easy wins for Houston, they're stuck with the 82-73 Dynamos, who were recently eliminated themselves.
It would take a lot for Houston to erase their deficit, but they helped themselves by splitting with the Suns this week before sweeping the Millers. Dropping a two game set to the Dynamos, however, put them in this mess to start with, but even this offense can't be counted out just yet. The staff keeps them in any game, and if the Suns manage to cough up this lead, it wouldn't even be the first six game deficit given up on the final week of the season. Sure, the Stars held the Cougars off in a play-in game back in 1946, but if you give a FABL team a chance, you never know what they might pull off.
Players of the Week: Burney, Hendricks
- For most Pioneers fans, they can't wait until this nightmare season ends, but for 24-year-old Mike Burney he's glad it's not quite over yet. The rookie former 15th Rounder took home Player of the Week, going an absurd 12-for-17 with 2 doubles, a triple, 2 walks, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs scored. It hasn't been like that most season, as until September he didn't even have a monthly OPS+ above 100. In September, however, he's hit an outstanding .415/.449/.554 (175 OPS+), that has increased his season line to a now above average .300/.367/.390 (109 OPS+). A lefty with a decent bat, he doesn't have the power you traditionally expect from a corner bat, just a single homer in 244 PAs, but he's got 10 doubles, 3 triples, 22 walks, 22 RBIs, and 25 runs scored in his 69 games.
- If Montreal wants to sneak into the playoffs, they'll need more of the same from Jim Hendricks, who got the Conti's version of the award. Having turned 34 at the end of last week, he celebrated his new age with a 16-for-31 week. It came with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 10 RBIs, 9 runs, and a steal, as he's a week away from his tenth consecutive offensive season. I don't think there's enough at bats for him to drop down from his .308/.358/.492 (134 OPS+) line, and his 137 WRC+ right now gives him 8 seasons above 130. An extra base machine, he set a career high with 15 triples this season, compiling 38 doubles, 10 homers, 90 RBIs, 77 runs, 42 walks, and 13 steals. A 4-Time All-Star and fan favorite, he's been one of the most productive Saints since they took him 6th in 1964, and he continues to be a weapon for them in the lineup.
Exceptional Performances: Boynton Debut, Shutouts, 5-Hit Games
- It's hard to ask for a much better debut then the one from former 1st Rounder John Boynton. As if the Kings needed another top pitcher, they may have it in this 25-year-old, as Boynton spun a 3-hit shutout in his first FABL start. He struck out 4 and didn't walk any, cruising to a 5-0 win over the Cougars. Boynton isn't considered a highly ranked prospect, 27th in the Kings organization and outside the top 500. It's not like he had much success in AAA either, just 7-14 with a 5.64 ERA (87 ERA+) and 1.66 WHIP in his 28 starts, but a few more starts like this and it won't matter what he did in AAA. Someone will be interested, and I'm sure the Kings would get to add a nice prospect in return for a young pitcher who's got the guts for professional ball.
- In a much needed game to keep their postseason chances alive, Houston got another gem from Jay Hunt. His record isn't any good because his team doesn't always score, so a 5-hit shutout it about the only way to guarantee one. His 12th win in 22 decisions, that's despite an elite 2.43 ERA (160 ERA+) and 3.04 FIP (77 FIP-), and even if the shutout had just one strikeout, he had 138 more coming into the game.
- A third shutout came in New York, where Joe Nelson bested the Clippers at his home stadium. A true gem, the 27-year-old allowed just 4 hits with no walks, striking out 6 to improve to 12-14 on the season. His 3.57 ERA (108 ERA+) is much higher then his 3.04 FIP (77 FIP-), and he's got one more chance to put up a 6 WAR season. It's been a nice breakout for the former 4th Rounder, who's comfortably fit himself at the top of the Gothams rotation.
- Three players had 5-hit games this week, including two in the same game. A member of the Saints and Arrows both got 5-hit games, but only the Saints player came away with the win. In a 17-9 victory, Player of the Week Jim Hendricks (.308, 10, 90, 13) got his in 6 trips, adding a double, 3 runs, and 6 RBIs. Meanwhile, Rich Moyer (.328, 10, 65, 16) was a perfect 5-for-5 in the loss, picking up a run, RBI, and three runs scored. Record keeping isn't perfect, but this is widely believed to be the first 9-inning FABL game where players on different teams both recorded 5-hit games.
- The last came from Keystone outfielder Jake Butler earlier in the week, as he was 5-for-5 in a shocking 10-2 thrashing of the first place Copperheads. Last year's All-Star was a perfect 5-for-5, adding a double, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs. Despite not being an All-Star this year, the second year player is actually hitting better, with a strong .302/.365/.428 (120 OPS+) batting line and 132 WRC+. All three are improvements on last year, as are his 4.8 WAR, 6 triples, and 54 walks, but he's dropped from 22 homes to 12. One of the few bright spots in the lineup, him and Joe Landry (.246, 22, 81) make up a dangerous corner outfield, and if they can find some arms they could compete next season.
FIGHTING SAINTS BLANK DETROIT CITY COLLEGE 16-0The St. Blane Fighting Saints passed their first challenge of the college football season while handing Detroit City College its second consecutive failing grade. The Fighting Saints defense dominated its much anticipated showdown with DCC, forcing three turnovers and leading the Saints to a 16-0 victory in their season opener. For Detroit City College, it is still September but already a lost season for the Knights who are shockingly 0-2 and no longer ranked after following up a upset loss to College of Waco in their season opener with a disappointing showing against St Blane.
The Fighting Saints offense did not overwhelm - their only touchdown came early in the first quarter on the play immediately after Raleigh Cutler had returned a punt 60 yards to the Knights one yard line. The score came on a 1-yard plunge by sophomore halfback Boyd Freeman, who carried the ball 30 times for 109 yards in his first career collegiate start. Freshman quarterback Henry Sneed had his struggles adapting to the speed of the college game, completing just 5 of 13 tosses for only 36 yards but the Fighting Saints offense did not turn over the ball and while they did not find the endzone again, they did navigate their way into position for Freddy Stewart to make good on each of his three field goal attempts.
As for the Knights, they knew they would have challenges with the loss of All-Great Lakes Alliance quarterback and four year starter Harold Robinson to graduating, but they did not expect things to be this difficult. Pete Patterson was a little better under center this week than he performed in his debut against Waco, but he still threw for just 66 yards and committed one of the three Knights fumbles, two of which led directly to Saints field goals. DCC now has a week off to try and regroup and one more tune up game, against Red River State, before beginning their quest for a third consecutive conference championship but any dreams of a national title, flimsy as they might have been at the start of the season, are now out the window.
*** Gators Dominant in Debut ***
The Georgia Baptist Gators already own six national titles and reaffirmed in their season opener why they are ranked number one in their quest for a seventh crown as the Gators hammered Portland Tech 45-10 in the 1975 debut for both schools. It took little time for the Gators to get their legs as they scored a touchdown on a long opening drive and had built 31-0 lead just pass the midway point of the second quarter. Quarterback Alfred Morgan completed 17 of 19 throws for 233 yards and four touchdowns with three of them going to senior wideout Arthur Doe, who caught nine passes for 132 yards on the afternoon.
Noble Jones College, the Gators Georgia and Deep South Conference rivals, who are the only other school with six national titles, had a dominant debut of their own, blasting lightly regarded McKinney State 48-10 behind the two-pronged rushing attack of Melvin Edgar and Jason Holder. Each of the junior backs scored twice with Edgar gaining 208 yards on just 15 carries while Holder rushed for 169.
Other action involving ranked teams saw Lawrence State, behind the 119 yard, two touchdown running performance from junior halfback Luther Dickinson, blank Valley State 38-0. Central Ohio improved to 2-0 with a 19-0 shutout of Western Florida as Aviators quarterback George Stephens threw for 129 yards and ran for a touchdown. Central Kentucky also picked up a shutout in its season opener as the Tigers downed Rome State 28-0 with running back Louie Fierro gaining 129 yards on the ground and scoring a pair of touchdowns.
A surprise result from Texas where El Paso Methodist ran its record to 2-0 by downing defending national champion Redwood 31-13 in the Mammoths season opener. The Mammoths dominated most of the key indicators including gaining 121 more yards of total offense but three costly turnovers including an errant John Coughlin pass that was returned 19 yards for a Joseph Flowers touchdown just 8 seconds after the Bandits had scored their opening touchdown proved to be the difference in the contest.
Boulder State was another ranked team to taste defeat in their opener as the Grizzlies lost a tight one to Tempe College, falling 18-14 in another game that saw turnovers play a big role in the outcome.
Elsewhere in games of note senior quarterback Jose Felder, a three time All-South Atlantic Conference selection, passed for one touchdown and ran for 121 yards and another score to lead the Charleston Tech Admirals to a 27-7 decision over Mobile Maritime. Fellow SAC outfit Carolina Poly upended favoured Alabama Baptist 16-13 thanks to a late 59-yard touchdown pass from Frank Payne to David Sander. Victor Young ran for 135 yards but it was not enough as his Lincoln Presidents came out on the short end of a 14-10 decision against Daniel Boone College. Huntington State backs Allan Rios and Scott Kroll combined for 283 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Miners past Richmond State 45-17. Payne State moved up to #15 in the polls after the Mavericks crushed Chicago Poly 52-13. College of San Diego is also 2-0 and ranked after the Friars, led by a pair of touchdown passes from freshman quarterback Randy Rossman, upended Coastal California 21-14. It was a tough day for the city of Los Angeles as the CCLA Coyotes joined the Dolphins in defeat, falling 40-14 to Minns College.
A pair of Ken Harding fourth quarter field goals lifted Oklahoma City State to a 13-6 win over Bayou State. A late touchdown by senior running back Russell Galvin proved the difference as Whitney College upset Rainier College 17-13. Freshman quarterback Ralph Smithey threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns to pace St. Magnus to a 38-17 victory over Commonwealth Catholic and improve the Vikings record to 2-0. Northern California rallied with three unanswered fourth quarter touchdowns to nip Wyoming A&I 29-24 while fellow West Coast Athletic Association member Lane State edged Idaho A&M 12-10.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS
St Blane Fighting Saints - 16, Detroit City College Knights - 0
St Magnus Vikings - 38, Commonwealth Catholic Knights - 17
Central Kentucky Tigers - 28, Rome State Centurions - 0
El Paso Methodist Bandits - 31, Redwood Mammoths - 13
Minns College Mavericks - 40, CC Los Angeles Coyotes - 14
College of San Diego Friars - 21, Coastal California Dolphins - 14
Carolina Poly Cardinals - 16, Alabama Baptist Panthers - 13
Lane State Emeralds - 12, Idaho A_M Pirates - 10
Abilene Baptist Chaparrals - 15, Lubbock State Hawks - 10
Texas Gulf Coast Hurricanes - 54, Ferguson Wildcats - 0
College of Omaha Raiders - 37, Western Iowa Canaries - 0
George Fox Reds - 38, Garden State Redbirds - 0
Columbia Military Academy Cadets - 28, Henry Hudson Explorers - 3
Maryland State Bengals - 38, Central Carolina Lions - 10
Brunswick Knights - 45, Baton Rogue State Red Devils - 9
Ellery Bruins - 36, St Patrick's Shamrocks - 6
Grafton Scholars - 26, Coastal State Eagles - 23
Dickson Maroons - 20, Boston State Pirates - 3
Potomac College Pelicans - 24, Sadler Bluecoats - 19
Pittsburgh State Finches - 30, Pierpont Purple - 13
Central Ohio Aviators - 19, Western Florida Wolves - 0
American Atlantic Pelicans - 13, Cowpens State Fighting Green - 3
Daniel Boone College Frontiersmen - 14, Lincoln Presidents - 10
Indiana A_M Reapers - 45, Lambert College Stags - 0
Eastern State Monitors - 41, St Ignatius Lancers - 30
Noble Jones College Colonels - 48, McKinney State Renegades - 10
Liberty College Bells - 16, Minnesota Tech Lakers - 13
Oklahoma City State Wranglers - 13, Bayou State Cougars - 6
Travis College Bucks - 27, Utah A_M Aggies - 13
Darnell State Legislators - 17, Colorado Poly Redbirds - 16
Amarillo Methodist Grizzlies - 23, Mile High State Falcons - 16
College of Waco Cowboys - 29, Custer College Cavalry - 27
South Valley State Roadrunners - 10, Eastern Oklahoma Pioneers - 3
Provo Tech Lions - 10, Topeka State Braves - 3
Arkansas A_T Badgers - 30, Cache Valley Cowboys - 7
Northern California Miners - 29, Wyoming A_I Prospectors - 24
North Carolina Tech Techsters - 45, Petersburg Patriots - 13
Charleston Tech Admirals - 27, Mobile Maritime Middies - 7
Alexandria Generals - 35, Bluegrass State Mustangs - 13
Chesapeake State Clippers - 24, Red River State Rowdies - 14
Huntington State Miners - 45, Richmond State Colonials - 17
Whitney College Engineers - 17, Rainier College Majestics - 13
Cumberland Explorers - 31, Miami State Gulls - 21
Bulein Hornets - 30, Queen City Monarchs - 7
St Pancras Lions - 28, Cleveland Tigers - 0
Northern Minnesota Muskies - 23, Penn Catholic Crusaders - 13
Payne State Mavericks - 52, Chicago Poly Catamounts - 13
Lawrence State Chippewa - 38, Valley State Gunslingers - 0
Tempe College Titans - 18, Boulder State Grizzlies - 14
Texas Panhandle Cowboys - 15, Eastern Kansas Warriors - 13
Spokane State Indians - 23, Iowa A_M Bulls - 13
Canyon A_M Armadillos - 26, Opelika State Wildcats - 10
Georgia Baptist Gators - 45, Portland Tech Magpies - 10
Northern Mississippi Mavericks - 17, Wisconsin State Brewers - 14
NEXT WEEK GAMES INVOLVING TOP 20 SCHOOLS
#1 Georgia Baptist (1-0) at #18 Rainier College (0-1)
Rome State (0-1) at #2 St Blane (1-0)
#3 Lawrence State (1-0) at Cowpens State (0-2)
#4 Noble Jones College (1-0) at Coastal California (0-1)
#5 Mississippi A&M (1-0) at #15 Payne State (2-0)
Petersburg (0-1) at #6 El Paso Methodist (2-0)
#7 Central Kentucky (1-0) at Spokane State (0-1)
#10 Boulder State (0-1) at #9 Charleston Tech (1-0)
#11 Alabama Baptist (0-1) at #24 Lane State (1-0)
#12 Daniel Boone College (1-0) at #22 Travis College (1-0)
Opelika State (0-1) at #13 Redwood (0-1)
Boston State (0-1) at #14 Huntington State (1-0)
Penn Catholic (0-1) at # 16 College of San Diego (2-0)
#17 Bayou State (0-1) at Northern Minnesota (1-1)
#20 Annapolis Maritime (0-0) at Liberty College (1-0)
POSITIVE SIGNS AT THOMPSON FIELD - AND A CLOUD OVER THE CAMPUSFor a change, the wind that whipped around Thompson Field on Sunday did not carry only groans.
It carried something unfamiliar around these parts.
Hope.
Not the parade-down-Woodward variety. Not yet. But the kind that lets a Detroit sports fan loosen his collar a notch and say, “Well now, that’s something.”
The Detroit Maroons opened their season with a 21–3 victory over the New Orleans Crescents, and if you’re the sort who prefers style points, you were probably home by halftime. If you’re the sort who prefers victories, you stayed to applaud.
And on the diamond the Detroit Dynamos have quietly won three straight and are about to finish with their first winning record since 1970.
In this town, that qualifies as a civic improvement.
Let’s begin with the Maroons.
They weren’t dazzling. They weren’t dynamic. They weren’t even particularly competent on offense. But they were the only club in the American Conference Central to put a “W” in the ledger on opening weekend. In September, style is optional. Standings are not.
The defense was ferocious in the way only a Detroit defense can be — blue-collar, lunch-pail, no-nonsense. John Barrow and John McKay each carried interceptions into the end zone, accounting for 14 points all by themselves. I can’t recall the last time the Maroons defense outscored the offense without breaking a sweat.
They held New Orleans to three conversions in 18 third-down attempts. That’s not bending. That’s bricklaying.
And they did it without linebackers Russell Campbell and Brad Sparrow. Campbell will be back next week. Sparrow will not. The fact that it hardly seemed to matter tells you something about the spine of this football team.
Now, about that offense.
Charles Sonnenberg completed nine passes Sunday. They traveled a combined 69 yards. That’s not a misprint. The young man OSA recently hailed as one of the league’s best quarterbacks still looks like a symphony warming up instead of playing. He doesn’t make many mistakes — and that’s to his credit — but he doesn’t make many plays either.
Gerald Edwards carried the ball 15 times and gained four yards. Four. I’ve seen cab drivers make more progress on Jefferson during rush hour.
Caleb Luce at least showed a pulse, punching in a two-yard score that gave Detroit breathing room. But if this offense is going to be more than a weekly passenger riding shotgun with the defense, new coordinator Dwight Johnson has some late nights ahead.
The good news? Los Angeles visits next. The Los Angeles Tigers didn’t look like world-beaters in their opener. The Maroons could very well be 2–0 before the leaves change.
Now to baseball — yes, baseball — where something remarkable has happened. Pitching has broken out in Detroit.
Pat Fortier, plucked off waivers last fall, has turned into a 17-game winner with a 2.50 earned run average. Joe Jones, another castoff, has matched him stride for stride at 17–7. Manager Roger Cleaves deserves a tip of the cap for having the nerve to move Jones into the rotation.
And then there’s George Carney — local boy, high draft pick, still walking a few too many but flashing the kind of arm that makes you circle next April on the calendar.
A year ago this was the worst staff in the league. Today it’s the reason you can talk about spring training without laughter following the sentence.
That’s progress.
And now — because no Detroit weekend is allowed to be entirely pleasant — we turn to the campus.
The Detroit City College Knights are 0–2.
Read that again.
A program that has worn the crown of the Great Lakes Alliance two straight years has stumbled out of the gate like a freshman late for an 8 a.m. lecture. The loss in Texas to College of Waco was jarring. Saturday’s 16–0 shutout at the hands of St. Blane was sobering.
The offense, once a point of pride, has been reduced to a rumor.
Yes, graduation stripped them of leadership. Yes, these things take time. But national title talk in September has already given way to damage control. The trip to Red River State on October 4 now looms as something close to essential. Lose that one, and New Year’s Day becomes a postcard instead of a plane ticket.
It is too early to panic. It is not too early to worry.
So here we are, Detroit.
The Maroons have muscle. The Dynamos have arms. The Knights have questions.
For one crisp Sunday at Thompson Field, the cheers outweighed the sighs. In this town, that counts as a pretty good weekend.
Just don’t ask anyone wearing a Knights red and silver crew neck sweatshirt how they feel about it.
Wolves' 2-5 Week Aids Imperials Chase For The Pennant Toronto has the spoiler role in determining the eventual winner of the 1975 CA East division crown. This week they gave the New York Imperials a boost by getting swept in a 3 game series at Dyckman Stadium.
The East title will go down to the final weekend. The Imperials lead by the slimmest of margins, one half game, over both Milwaukee and Cleveland with Montreal lurking in 4th place only 3 games behind the leaders. The Imperials, Saints have 6 to play while Arrows and Foresters have 5 games left on their schedule. In a quirk of scheduling Toronto's last 7 games are against Cleveland (4) on the road including a Monday doubleheader then home for their final three games against the Imperials.
Toronto was officially eliminated from pennant contention this week. Manager Carl Evans' words to the team are "We may be out but lets make Cleveland and New York sweat to earn their way into the post season." Dunbar believes that this week will be the final chance for the manager along with his staff to prove they should be back in Toronto next season.
The team began their week hosting both Montreal and Cleveland in short 2 game series. Aided by 3 double plays Stan Terry downed the Saints 3-2 on Monday before getting blown out 15-5 by the Saints the next night. Lee Humphrey's decline continues in the over the last two months, he is now 9-15, 4.86 after leading the staff in the early parts of the season. Les Reid's single in the 9th walked off the Foresters 3-2 Wednesday before surrendering a 2-1 lead in the 8th when Cleveland score 3 times, setup by a George Rigby error, to capture the game 4-2.
Going into New York for a weekend set the team knew they were playing a role in the race and needed to play winning baseball against the Imperials who have been besieged lately by injuries. Toronto came up short in all 3 games. After losing a tight Friday night contest 3-2 they erased an early 3-0 deficit on Saturday to go up 5-3 but it did not last as Toronto allowed the home side to rally for 4 more runs and beat the Wolves 7-5. That loss seemed to take what little breeze remained out of the Wolves sails for Sunday's series finale. Humphrey was hit hard early and did not survive the 4th inning before get yanked after surrendering six runs in what quickly became a stree-free 12-3 win for New York. Evans hopes the entire team, especially the pitchers, put up a better fight than displayed on Sunday during the final week of the season.
In other news the AAA Buffalo Nickels finish their disappointing season Wednesday most likely finishing 5th in Union League. Chattanooga's late season rally came up short in the Dixie finishing a successful season at 73-64 in second 4 games behind Jackson. Davenport has one game left against Rockford in the Heartland championship best of three series. Vancouver finished 3rd in COW at 77-63 a distant 12 games behind the powerful Yakima Rams. Tuscaloosa won their 7th Gulf States league championship repeating the 1974 title. The future seems bright in the organization with only Buffalo having a record below .500.
Dunbar hopes the Wolves will show their mettle in the final week destroying the hopes of at least one team in the pennant chase. There will be more than sufficient time to preform a post mortem on 1975. Dunbar will start the process during the playoffs.
The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 09/21/1975
- Undaunted by 2 recent assassination attempts, President Ford rode through Dallas in an open limousine and denounced "the prophets of gloom and doom" who see America crumbling under economic woes, crime and assassination fever.
- Sara Jane Moore formally charged in San Francisco shooting attempt, as court proceedings begin and new details emerge about security lapses.
- Portugal’s moderate military faction gains upper hand, as General António Ramalho Eanes and allied officers push back against radical leftist influence within the armed forces.
- New York City budget cuts deepen under federal oversight, with layoffs and service reductions announced to meet conditions of the rescue package.
- Canada’s wage and price control board begins active enforcement audits, targeting large corporations and major labor contracts.
- United Nations General Assembly opens in New York, with Middle East tensions and post-Vietnam global realignment dominating diplomatic discussion.