Latest / Retro Sports Radio: Classic Games from History / 1978-Dec-30 • NFL Playoffs • Atlanta Falcons vs Dallas Cowboys - Radio
Transcript
- 0:00This is Retro Sports Radio. Visit RetroSeasons.com for more sports history.
- 0:07The Atlanta Falcons faced the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium Saturday afternoon on December
- 0:1130, 1978 during the second round of the NFL playoffs. The Cowboys were the defending Super
- 0:17Bowl champs. Coached by the legendary Tom Landry, they had qualified for the playoffs
- 0:22in 12 of the previous 13 seasons. The Falcons, on the other hand, were in the playoffs for
- 0:26the first time in franchise history. This is the CBS Radio broadcast featuring announcers
- 0:32Hank Stram and Jack Buck.
- 0:36The Dallas Cowboys opening their bid for back-to-back Super Bowl titles, taking on the Atlanta
- 0:41Falcons, a team that has made a habit of last-minute victories. The Cowboys with a 12-and-4 record
- 0:47are making their 12th playoff appearance in 13 years and are favored by at least two touchdowns.
- 0:54The Falcons entered the postseason playoffs via the wild-card birds with a 9-and-7 record,
- 0:58then won the right to continue on Christmas Eve with a 14-to-13 comfort behind victory
- 1:03over Philadelphia. Atlanta's Steve Bartkowski has been sacked 56 times this season. That's
- 1:09more than any other quarterback in the league, and he could be in for a long afternoon. Now
- 1:13let's go to Dallas.
- 1:14Tim Mazetti will kick it off. The Atlanta Falcons will kick from our left to our right. It is
- 1:21Larry Brinson going back deep, along with Putt Johnson in twin safety. The winner of
- 1:28this game goes on to the NFC title game on the 7th of January. Tim Mazetti started with
- 1:35the Eagles, ended with the Falcons, with pending bar before the Atlanta Falcons picked him up
- 1:41as come on to play a Cinderella role in the Atlanta football story. The right-footed soccer
- 1:46style kicker, and the ball will go to either Johnson or Brinson to get this game started.
- 1:52Dallas heavily feathered, and here we go. We hope you enjoy it here on CBS Radio. The kick
- 1:57goes to Putt Johnson. Takes it on the 5, up the middle to the 10-15, going right to the
- 2:0220-25 yard line, 25th yard line, and down he goes. And the tackle for Atlanta was made
- 2:09by the defensive back Bob Glazebrook on the first hit of the afternoon.
- 2:13You know, one thing that's going to be interesting to see, Jack, is what kind of an effect the
- 2:18Dallas vulnerable formation system will have on the blitzing defense of the Atlanta Falcons.
- 2:22They like to blitz a great deal. The one thing that kind of neutralizes all the blitzing
- 2:27is a great variety of offensive formation.
- 2:30And of course, the Dallas Cowboys have that with Roger Stobach at quarterback Scott Laidlaw
- 2:35and Tony Darsett are the setbacks. Robert Newhouse will play today. He's not in there
- 2:41at the moment. Darsett goes in motion. There's a flip out to Laidlaw. He gets the block, comes
- 2:46out to the 31-2 yard line for a worthwhile game for the Dallas Cowboys. On the toss,
- 2:52they got outside and showed on the very first play that they can turn the end of the Atlanta
- 2:58Falcons.
- 2:59One thing that you have to do against Atlanta, especially if you have good outside speed
- 3:03like Dallas has, you have to get outside and you have to do so quickly from a formation
- 3:08whereby you toss the ball to the halfback or fullback on a quick count and get the ball
- 3:13out to him quickly so he can outmaneuver the fast pursuing linebackers of the Atlanta team
- 3:18and that's exactly what they did on the first play of the game.
- 3:21Laidlaw got five out to the Dallas 32 yard line. Darsett is in the backfield with Laidlaw.
- 3:27And here's Stobach. The Darsett over the right side comes across to the 35-36 yard line.
- 3:32Looks like it's going to be third and one. He was tackled by Robert Pennywell who had
- 3:37made the previous tackle on the sideline on Laidlaw. Now Dallas has been able to get both
- 3:42Laidlaw and Darsett to handle the ball in the early going and that's important.
- 3:47Yes it is. You know there's a lot of tension going into a big game like this. And the sooner
- 3:51you get your hands on the football, the sooner you get hit, the better off everybody is.
- 3:55They get a hat on everybody on the first couple of plays.
- 3:57Would you feel better if I popped you one right now?
- 3:58I'd feel a lot better if I gave you one instead.
- 4:00We have third and one coming up. The ball is out to the Dallas 36 yard line.
- 4:07Third and one. They go into the high formation with Laidlaw up.
- 4:12And here's Stobach on a stake getting the first down.
- 4:16That's not when you got a back like Darsett. He starts in motion.
- 4:20You have a real tendency to start chasing him and Stobach is good sized. He can punch it out and get the first down.
- 4:26Yeah what happened on the play though Jack? They were not able to recognize the offensive formation soon enough.
- 4:32They were shifting and in the process of the shift and in the process of getting down in a three point stance,
- 4:37Stobach called the quarterback's stake and took advantage of that movement and got the first down very easily.
- 4:42To his own 39 yard line. The first down, they shift out of the eye, back into the eye.
- 4:47Dorsett's a tail back. A man in motion is Drew Pearson.
- 4:51Here's a toss to Dorsett tackled in the backfield for a loss on the play and a big loss at that.
- 4:57Atlanta is not without their Reuters and that was Frank Reed the safety man.
- 5:01Typical of what Atlanta does here on defense and they do it right most of the time.
- 5:06Well that time they had the flanker to the right side. They sent him in motion to the left side.
- 5:10But Reed was right on the line of scrimmage and there was no way in the world that you could make that play go
- 5:15because there was nobody there to block Frank Reed, number 28, to strong safety.
- 5:19And as a result, they lost yardage on the play.
- 5:22Drew Pearson comes to the left. Wide receiver is Tony Hill to the right side.
- 5:27It is second down and 15 as a result of a loss of five when Dorsett was tackled.
- 5:32Stobach throwing for the first time over the middle. Incomplete and off the fingertips of Drew Pearson.
- 5:38It was cladding into the middle and had he caught that, I don't think anybody would have stopped him.
- 5:43Well he didn't and so that's very unimportant.
- 5:45The big thing was that the strong safety Frank Reed was on the line of scrimmage.
- 5:49It was a safety blitz. Everything happened a little quicker than they wanted it to happen.
- 5:53And the ball fell incomplete. It should have been caught. It was a well-thrown ball.
- 5:56I don't think I've ever seen Stobach release the ball as quickly as he did that time.
- 6:00We'll see him release it very quickly all day long if he's going to get rid of the football
- 6:04because the way they put pressure on you, you better get rid of it quickly
- 6:07or you better block, pick up the blitzers with a lot of people and have plenty of time to throw the football.
- 6:12What's your stuff to do?
- 6:13They go into the double wing, have Preston Pearson, Stobach back to throw, the blitz is on,
- 6:17he stands in the pocket, throws outside, Drew Pearson caught him,
- 6:21put the 35 down to the 30, down, down, 28 yard line of the Atlanta Falcon
- 6:27before Rick Fiers punched him out.
- 6:30It was a very simple, they had plenty of time to throw the ball.
- 6:33It was a blitz against a spread formation and he just went down inside, turned Fiers to the inside,
- 6:41broke outside, the ball was right on target.
- 6:44It was good for 39 yards and a first down, Jack.
- 6:47A good play by the Dallas Cowboys.
- 6:49A lot of people have been wondering about Stobach's injured fingers.
- 6:52He seems here at the outset to be pitching the ball in terrific fashion.
- 6:56I watched him in a pregame warmup and I assure you there's nothing wrong with his finger
- 7:00because he threw extremely well.
- 7:02First down at the Atlanta 28 yard line with Laidlaw and Dorsett in the backfield.
- 7:06Two wide receivers to the left, Dorsett goes in motion, Stobach to Laidlaw.
- 7:10Over the right side, got only a yard and he was driven back.
- 7:14He ran into Jeff Yates, the defensive end, and Jim Bailey and the outside linebacker,
- 7:20Poulton Keichendahl, one of the best in the game by the way, finished off the play.
- 7:26Up front they are playing Yates, Bailey, Mike Lewis and Jeff Murrow.
- 7:30The linebackers are Keichendahl, Pennywell and Brazina, a good trio of linebackers, Hank.
- 7:35Yes they are and Brazina blitzes a great deal from the weak side position.
- 7:39By that I mean he's on the side away from the tight end and he does a great job of blitzing
- 7:44and creating problems from that position.
- 7:46Second down and nine for Dallas.
- 7:49Stobach straight back to the throw, looks quickly, drives it over the middle, complete first and goal
- 7:54for Dallas as it was Drew Pearson covered by Rick Pius again and Stobach was on the body
- 8:00and his first and goal from the Atlanta, no that's first and goal, his first and ten from the Atlanta 14.
- 8:06The worst thing about playing against Atlanta, you're going to be involved in a lot of big plays
- 8:11and involved in a lot of bad plays because it's such a guessing game Jack and you're going to guess right
- 8:16but you can't worry about the times you guess wrong, you just have to maintain a plan,
- 8:20keep throwing the ball, take advantage of the blitzing situation.
- 8:24The defensive backs of Atlanta are not good cover people and as a result if you get the ball off
- 8:28they're going to complete a lot of passes and have a lot of big plays in this game today.
- 8:32The tight end drops off the line of scrimmage, starts in motion here, Stobach pitching to Leibloy
- 8:37is hit on the backfield and tackled for a loss of a couple of yards by Jeff Yates, the defensive end
- 8:42who crashed in there and didn't go for the fake.
- 8:45It was sort of like a college option play but Yates, the defensive end, knew that Stobach wasn't going to keep the ball.
- 8:51Yeah it was an option play Jack, it was a good observation on your part, it was an option play to the right side
- 8:56and one thing in professional football, defensively when you see the option play you're going to say fine.
- 9:01You want to run the ball quarterback, you run it but we're going to take away the outside people
- 9:05and the quarterback is not going to keep it very often so really that's very ineffective on that kind of a situation.
- 9:11Back at the 16 yard line of Atlanta, second down and 12 for Dallas.
- 9:15Flip backs in the backfield, Pearson left.
- 9:18A lot of room on this left side.
- 9:19Here's Stobach back to throw a look and throwing it into the end zone and Pearson cannot get it.
- 9:23It was thrown away, there was good coverage on Drew Pearson, this time by Rick Pius
- 9:27and it will be third and 12 for Dallas, they've kept the ball for almost five minutes since getting the opening kickoff.
- 9:33Earlier they had a third and 15 came up with the first down, they picked up three first downs in this drive
- 9:40and now it's third down and 12 from the Atlanta 16.
- 9:43Pius was very deep that time and I'm surprised that Stobach tried to throw the ball to Pearson on top
- 9:49because he had all the room in the world in front of him but he elected to throw the ball deep
- 9:53and he couldn't do that in this situation because he's got an extra person, not a person,
- 9:58but an extra dimension in the secondary to help him and that's the end zone.
- 10:02Dorsett was on a wing, goes back into the backfield, Stobach on third down.
- 10:08The blitz is on, he throws over the middle end zone and incomplete to Tony Hill who had drawn double coverage.
- 10:16It'll be fourth down, Stobach ends up in a sitting position.
- 10:20He threw that ball into heavy traffic, Tony Hill was covered by both Pius and Tom Tridemore, the free safety.
- 10:26Rafael Septien comes in to try to put Dallas on top with 10.07 remaining in the first quarter.
- 10:33Brasina that time was booking again from the linebacker position.
- 10:36They haven't booked that much really on this drive with the exception of the spread formation
- 10:41that enabled Dallas to come up with a big play of 29 yards on a passing formation.
- 10:47They've got them down in good scoring position like they are right now.
- 10:50Here's a 34 yard field goal attempt by Septien.
- 10:53The ball is snapped, set, kicked and it is good and Dallas jumps out in front.
- 10:5810.04 remaining in the first quarter.
- 11:01Dallas leads by the score of three to nothing.
- 11:04And with the score of Dallas three and nine to nothing, let's take time out.
- 11:08Franco Harris, the forgotten superstar, and John Stalwart, Pittsburgh's other receiver,
- 11:13turned in record breaking performance this Saturday to carry the Cedars into the AFC championship game
- 11:19with a 33 to 10 route of Denver.
- 11:21Harris, a six time 1,000 yard rusher who received little national recognition this season
- 11:26due to the heroics of Houston's Earl Campbell, set an NFL record of 12 career playoff touchdowns
- 11:32by scoring on runs of one and 18 yards.
- 11:35Stalwart, who plays in the shadow of all pro teammate Lynn Swan,
- 11:39set a division playoff record with 10 receptions for 156 yards,
- 11:44including a leaping 45 yard touchdown grab in the last period that put the game out of reach.
- 11:50The victory is Pittsburgh's 15th against two losses, and that's the best record in the National Football League.
- 11:55And the Cedars will play host to Sunday's Houston New England winner on January 7th
- 12:00for a berth in Super Bowl XIII in Miami on January 21st.
- 12:05That final again, Pittsburgh 33 to 10 over Denver.
- 12:09Sepian who kicked the field goal will kick it off.
- 12:13Dennis Pearson, who returned 100 yards earlier this year, is in the middle of three deep men.
- 12:19Sepian usually gets the ball down to about the five yard line.
- 12:23Very little wind advantage here in Texas Stadium.
- 12:27Cowboys leading three to nothing.
- 12:29Sepian boots a line drive kick, bounces that to 20,
- 12:32and Atlanta wisely allows the ball to go out of bounds.
- 12:36Their closest to it was George Franklin, and he was smart.
- 12:39That'll cause Dallas 5.
- 12:41They broadcast, excuse me, Hank.
- 12:43That's all right.
- 12:44Go ahead, Seth. You'll be frustrated if you don't.
- 12:46No, you upset me now.
- 12:48I'm not going to talk if you don't.
- 12:49You got me mad.
- 12:50I'm not going to talk if you don't.
- 12:52I was just going to say, Jack, that they're going to welcome that opportunity to get better field position
- 12:58because Dallas kicked the ball out of bounds, Sepian specifically,
- 13:02and they should come out of this with much, much better field position than they would have
- 13:06had he kicked the ball correctly the first time he attempted the kickoff.
- 13:10We'll get a look at the Atlanta offense in just a moment.
- 13:13Dennis Pearson is back along with five more, and Franklin, this is a high kick.
- 13:18Pearson took it on the 14 up the middle to the 20, 25, 30, 35, 40.
- 13:23Flags go down, and so does Dennis Pearson
- 13:26at his own 43-yard line, and we probably will have a clip.
- 13:31We do against Atlanta, boy, it happens to us.
- 13:34Yeah, it really does, and it really hurts the field position so much to start a drive,
- 13:38minus 10 or 15 yards, it happens on those kind of penalties.
- 13:42But you know, he had a big cavity on the right side.
- 13:44He had a little seam on the left, but a big cavity on the right.
- 13:47And right or wrong, you have to make a decision to bring the ball back.
- 13:50That time he chose to go left, and really he did it much better off to go up the right side
- 13:53because he had a big hole to run through.
- 13:55Hank, why is there so much clipping on those kick returns week after week throughout the long season?
- 14:00Well, it's very simple, Jack, because you have to block a moving target,
- 14:04and once you throw your body, especially if you throw it too soon,
- 14:08sometimes you think you're going to get the head in front, and you wind up getting it behind,
- 14:12and that's why there's so many penalties.
- 14:14The ball is at the Atlanta 22.
- 14:16They have Steve Parkowski, a quarterback.
- 14:18They have Haskell Standback and Bubba Bean in the backfield.
- 14:21Standback now sets up as a wing, it's a double wing formation.
- 14:25Bubba Bean alone set back, and from the 22,
- 14:28Bean carries up the middle to the 25, to the 30.
- 14:31He got a burst down out to the 33-yard line of Atlanta.
- 14:35Finally stopped by Aaron Kyle off the corner.
- 14:38Did they confuse the Cowboys with that double wing?
- 14:41They've been doing that quite often.
- 14:42They send Standback in motion to the left, and they usually run to the same side of the man in motion.
- 14:47That's exactly what they did that time.
- 14:49He started to his left, came up the seam, had some good running room,
- 14:52and picked up the first down on the play, but it was good blocking
- 14:55by the part of the offensive line of the Atlanta Falcons,
- 14:59Mike Kent, Dave Scott, Dan Noat, Fieldman, and McKinley.
- 15:02Two wide receivers. They have three wide receivers in there.
- 15:05Parkowski gives to Bubba Bean.
- 15:07He's across the 35 to the 36, 37-yard line.
- 15:10He gained four.
- 15:12Harvey Martin and Randy White got him,
- 15:15and Bubba Bean has started off in full flight here today.
- 15:20Nine-ten left in the first quarter. Clock running, three-nothing.
- 15:23Dallas on top, second and sixth Atlanta from their own 37.
- 15:26You know, Mitchell is such a fine receiver that they could use him as a third receiver.
- 15:30He's split out left away from the slot side and gives them a three-receiver dimension,
- 15:35but he's the tight end in the formation.
- 15:37On second down, Parkowski throwing for the first down, goes outside,
- 15:40and it is caught for a burst down into Dallas territory.
- 15:44It is caught at the Dallas 41-yard line by Billy Rickman.
- 15:48He had Cliff Harris making the tackle before the net.
- 15:51He had Randy Barnes turned around, and Barnes never did see the ball.
- 15:55Well, they were in double coverage. They had a short man and a deep man,
- 15:58and Parkowski threw the ball as perfectly as you could possibly throw it.
- 16:02It had to be thrown right where it was.
- 16:04Billy Rickman made a beautiful catch over the shoulder,
- 16:07and it's a burst down for the Atlanta team.
- 16:10A beautiful drive going so far.
- 16:12Now they've got a standback going leftless if they run left again. They do.
- 16:17Bubba Beans, then turns it back up the middle.
- 16:20He's hit at the 40-yard line. He gained two yards.
- 16:22He was hit by Larry Cole, who was starting rather than just throw a few, and Randy White.
- 16:28It's going to be second down and eighth for Atlanta.
- 16:31They're trailing three to nothing.
- 16:35They've got a variety of things that they do for that formation right now.
- 16:38When they send the standback in motion, they have run both times,
- 16:42utilized the play twice, ran to the left both times.
- 16:45I'm sure we'll see some other things from it on first and tenth situations as we go along.
- 16:50Now they're in a three-receiver situation with Mitchell split out to the left side.
- 16:54Here's Parkowski back to throw, looking right, throws right sideline, and incomplete.
- 16:59Incomplete at the sideline, and a flag goes down as Cliff Harris gave the receiver a friendly pat on the head.
- 17:07The official threw the flag for a personal foul.
- 17:10He just capped him on the helmet, Hank.
- 17:12Yeah, but you can't, you supposedly cannot touch the guy above the shoulders, and that's exactly what he did.
- 17:19And he had to play for it. That's what the rules specifically say.
- 17:22You can't measure the degree of the hit.
- 17:25He was hit on top of the head, and as a result, it's a penalty.
- 17:28Cliff Harris with a head slap and a personal foul against Dallas.
- 17:3215 yards penalty, moves the ball inside the Dallas 25 to the 24.
- 17:37Instead of it being third and sixth, it's a first down at the Dallas 24.
- 17:42Right conduct, 43. He says first down.
- 17:47The fans don't like it, but everybody saw it, and it's in the book.
- 17:53First down at the 24-yard line, four and lead us.
- 17:56Dan back going left again, and let's see what they do from this formation.
- 17:59He's got a lot of room on the left side. He'd be a good guy to throw to over there.
- 18:02Here's Barchowski back to throw, throws it short.
- 18:05It's caught for a gain of a couple of yards.
- 18:08The hit made immediately as it was hauled in by Wallace Francis, and the tackle was made by Dee Dee Lewis.
- 18:13Charlie Waters has to cover, stand back man for man when he goes in motion to the left side.
- 18:18He's got a lot of room over there from that double wing formation.
- 18:21I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him do a little business over there, Jack, and get the ball to him because he's got a lot of room.
- 18:27Block is running, 7.35 remaining in the first quarter.
- 18:31A pick-up of two despite the pass completion.
- 18:34Rickman goes to the left side along with Alfred Jackson, and it's second and eighth.
- 18:41Again the double wing, and Bubba Bean on a draw play. Goes to the 20 tackled.
- 18:47And he fell down at the 19-yard line. It is going to be third down and five for the Falcons.
- 18:53And he ran into the arms of Thomas Henderson, the linebacker.
- 18:57Henderson, Bob Bruning, Dee Dee Lewis are the linebackers.
- 19:00Ed Jones, Larry Cole, Randy White, Harvey Martin up front.
- 19:03Benny Barnes, Aaron Kyle on the corner.
- 19:05Charlie Harris and Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris are the safety nets.
- 19:10Third and five, Atlanta from the Dallas 19.
- 19:17Now the two setbacks are Bubba Bean and Haskell stand back.
- 19:20Extra defensive back, Randy Hughes is in for Dallas on third down.
- 19:26The flag goes down and it was too much time to lay up game Atlanta.
- 19:32While they were setting up a formation designed to confuse Dallas,
- 19:36they cost themselves five yards and it's going to be third down and ten.
- 19:40Yes, they confused themselves and here again they deviated a little bit from their bracing personality
- 19:45because they tried to do a little bit with Dallas by shifting and creating formations.
- 19:50That time they were confused themselves, took too much time in the huddle and had to pay the penalty of five yards.
- 19:56And that might cost them on a field goal attempt later if Atlanta fails to pick up the first down.
- 20:01On this, a third down play from the Dallas 24.
- 20:04Third and ten.
- 20:06Wallace Francis is to the right, Billy Rickman is to the left, Mitchell the tight end on the right side.
- 20:12Third and ten. Bartkowski calls the signal.
- 20:17Back to throw, rolling right, not much pressure, looks close, tight line and it is caught for a first, close to a first down.
- 20:25Not a first down, however, at the 15 yard line.
- 20:29Now the receiver was bobbling the ball a bit when he went out of bounds and Dallas might be arguing about that.
- 20:35Wallace Francis hauled it in and they're going to measure to see if he made a first down.
- 20:40It appears he would be short about a yard.
- 20:42I think he made it, Jack.
- 20:43Yeah?
- 20:43Yeah, I got the impression that he might have made it. Let's see what they call.
- 20:46But Bartkowski did a great job of rolling to his right and hit Francis on the outside who made a nice catch on the outside and it looks like they might have it.
- 20:54We'll see in just a second. Here's the bad angle.
- 20:56Well, one of us is right and the other is wrong.
- 21:00And you're right, it's a first down inside the 15 yard line.
- 21:06A first down for Atlanta, despite the third and 10 play.
- 21:12And they did a good job also of confusing Dallas a little bit because they moved their backs around.
- 21:17Dallas was ready to blitz, including the safety man, but they didn't do it because of the formation situation and they got away with a good call and a good play on a roll out situation.
- 21:26Well, some people thought Atlanta wouldn't score on Dallas. Here's a draw play to Bubba Bean and he's inside the five. He's got a touchdown.
- 21:33A draw play is good for 14 yards and an Atlanta touchdown on the draw to Bubba Bean and is he getting off the ball?
- 21:42You know, after watching them play on grass for so many times in Atlanta, they look like they're running in cook fan there, but they look like they're really lightning and flying on their synthetic turf here in the Dallas stadium in Irving, Texas.
- 21:55Well, they, the Atlanta club, kept the ball for about three and a half minutes and they go on top six three. The ball will be held by the punter, John James, and Tim Mazzetti will try to add to the Atlanta total a high snap, John.
- 22:08John James got it down and it is up and through a good job by the holder that time.
- 22:15Well, there's a timeout on the field with a score, Atlanta seven and Dallas three.
- 22:23Very impressive drive by both teams. Dallas coming and taking the opening kickoff going 74 yards and 12 plays, consuming four minutes and 56 seconds.
- 22:33However, they only came away with three points after Setian kicked a field goal that made it three to nothing.
- 22:39Atlanta came right back, took the ball on the 22 yard line, their own 22, had a beautiful drive of 78 yards, nine plays, it took three minutes and 26 seconds, executed a beautiful draw play with Bubba Bean taking it in from 14 yards out that made it seven for Atlanta.
- 23:00The score now, Atlanta seven and the Dallas Cowboys three. But again, both teams, very impressive offensively with big plays, good drives and score on the opening opportunities.
- 23:13Both teams, Dallas with three points and the Atlanta team with seven.
- 23:23Thanks Ram and Jack Buck with you from Dallas. I repeat, some people thought that Atlanta wouldn't score all afternoon against the Dallas club, but they're out in front by the score of seven to three.
- 23:32And then he will kick it off. Larry Brinson is deep along with Butch Johnson.
- 23:37We have 625 remaining in the first quarter and that score is going to give the Falcons an awful lot of confidence.
- 23:42Yes it is and give them, you know, they play with a great deal of enthusiasm, a lot of animation, a lot of emotion and this will perpetuate that I'm sure to a great degree.
- 23:51Butch Johnson is deep along with Brinson. Here's a high kick at head four Johnson and he takes it on tonight to the 10 to the 15 to 20 going right.
- 24:00He's out to the 25 yard line and the Cowboys will start from their own, well inside the 25 as Ron McCartney was downfield, a linebacker to make the hit for Atlanta.
- 24:11They rule that Butch Johnson's knee went down at the Dallas 24 yard line.
- 24:17Well we haven't had a turnover. Each team scored each time they had the ball and so Dallas gets it for the second time.
- 24:29From the 24 yard line, Joe Pearson goes to the right side.
- 24:34Dorsett is on a wing, into a setback now with Scott Laidlaw and on first down Roger Staubach rolls right on a bootleg.
- 24:47He pops the ball off to his side and Jackie Smith, Smith is beyond the 40 yard line and out to the 42.
- 24:53Staubach could have run forever himself. He gave the ball to the 16 year veteran Jackie Smith who gets it out his first down.
- 25:00Yeah, so they have such a heavy artillery of explosive weapons the Dallas team has.
- 25:07That was a good illustration of it. They ran a bootleg play and as you mentioned, Staubach could have run and could have still been running and ran right up the ramp that time because there's nobody around.
- 25:16He elected to throw the ball to Jackie Smith and he picked up a nice first down in the play.
- 25:22Now Pearson comes to the left as they use the two tight ends. Billy Joe Dupree and Jackie Smith from the Dallas 42 yard line.
- 25:31And on first down Staubach again throwing to the sideline, overthrown, incomplete.
- 25:36Coming up with Rick Pius who will have a busy afternoon covering the outstanding receiver Drew Pearson.
- 25:42You know that was a great illustration, Jack. We just saw Roger throw the ball way quicker than he should have.
- 25:47But it's a great illustration of how the Atlanta team will intimidate a quarterback because he expects so much pressure that he tries to get rid of the ball quicker than he should get rid of it.
- 25:57And as a result that time he threw the ball way over his head and it could have been a well thrown ball had he taken just a little bit more time to plan his feet and throw the ball properly.
- 26:07And now in the tailback spot, well split backs with late law and Tony Dorset second and ten. Staubach back to throw.
- 26:17Here's the pass outside, overthrown, incomplete to the tight end Billy Joe Dupree.
- 26:21They were shooting the outside linebacker, Greg Brazina. They cover up pretty well, Hank.
- 26:26Yes they do. You see Roger anticipated more blitzing than that down that play.
- 26:30And here again it was just a one man blitz with Brazina coming on the split inside and again he heard himself and got the ball on top again, threw it much sooner than he should have.
- 26:40And anytime I think you see a ball go over the top of somebody, Jack, you know that it was released too soon.
- 26:46Preston Pearson checks into the backfield for Atlanta, or for Dallas, excuse me.
- 26:54And he goes off on a wing.
- 26:56And in the shotgun Staubach back to throw on third and ten. Looks, throws it outside, incomplete.
- 27:02Way over the head of Preston Pearson who had drawn double coverage.
- 27:06Staubach was blasted as he threw the ball.
- 27:08Tykendall and the strong safety Frank Reed were both on Preston Pearson and it's kicking time for the first time this afternoon.
- 27:16And Danny White will do the honors. Billy Rickman, who's a pretty good threat, goes back inside his 20 to get it.
- 27:22That time from the spread formation they only blitzed one linebacker and that was Brazina.
- 27:27The other time they were in a spread formation on third down they blitzed all three linebackers.
- 27:31I think Staubach was anticipating that again, got a different look, and here again threw the ball poorly on the play.
- 27:38Low snap, Danny White gets it. Now he's going to run with the ball. He's to the 40, 45, let's go. But down, Dallas, Danny White.
- 27:46Up the next after a bad snap. No runs. So he took off and got Dallas the first down into Atlanta territory.
- 27:54I think he has the option back there, Jack, any time that he feels he has an opportunity to run he can do so, but he better make sure he's right when he makes that decision.
- 28:03He does sit and make it by one yard.
- 28:05Yes. But Atlanta had a return on that time and they were very lax.
- 28:10The contained man on the left side did not pay any attention whatsoever to the kicker who was trying to get into the wall.
- 28:16There was nobody there and provided him with the opportunity, Danny White, to make the first down.
- 28:21To the Atlanta 46 yard line. Out of the high formation now they give it to Laidlaw.
- 28:27Box it up the middle of the 40, to the 35, to the 30, down to the 25 yard line of the batter, goes, got Laidlaw.
- 28:41Beautiful draw play right up the middle. Nothing more than a good shot up the middle, good running by Laidlaw.
- 28:48And he picked up another big first down. But a great illustration of how important big plays are.
- 28:55And the big play of course in this drive was a run by Danny White on a fourth down situation.
- 29:00He ran out of pump formation, got a first down. Laidlaw just picked up 16 to the Atlanta 25 yard line.
- 29:08Staubach on first down with his wide receivers to the right, or set in motion.
- 29:12Staubach gives to Laidlaw again over the right side. He moves down to the 22, he got three.
- 29:17The last time they ran that formation, Jack, they had a flop to the right, which means both receivers are on the right side of the football.
- 29:24The tight end on the left side, they spent door set in motion to the left.
- 29:28The last time they did that they ran Laidlaw outside. This time they faked going outside, ran a counter play back inside.
- 29:35And he picked up about two or three yards in the play.
- 29:38Take the third and seven.
- 29:39Wilson, Paul Maena checks in. On the second down play, he'll try to help with the pass rush.
- 29:47Dewey McLean, additional linebacker is in for Atlanta. From the Atlanta 22, it is second down and seven.
- 29:54They got a lot of room over here on bias. They can throw in front of him.
- 29:58Staubach back to throw. He looks and he's rushed. He throws the screen. It's caught by Dorcett.
- 30:03He's inside the 15 and out of bounds. A first down for Dallas on the screen pass to Tony Dorcett.
- 30:11Boy, it looked like once he got by the linebacker he was going to go all the way.
- 30:15But he didn't really look like Jackie was fully aware of where he was.
- 30:20He had a lot of room to run down the sideline, but just a little push knocked him out of bounds.
- 30:25And he didn't get nearly as much yardage on the play as you thought he would when the play was initiated.
- 30:30It is a first down, however, to the 12-yard line of Atlanta.
- 30:33The last time they were in a comparable position, the Cowboys had to settle for a field goal.
- 30:39They led three to nothing. Atlanta came right back and scored. Atlanta's on top seven-three.
- 30:43They like to put their safety man, strong safety, inside this area and then their weak safety inside the 10.
- 30:48Let's see what they do here.
- 30:50From the 13-yard line, Pearson is to the left. Hill is to the right. Staubach back to throw.
- 30:56Has time and zone. Incomplete. Incomplete. Tony Hill bobbled the ball as he went out of bounds.
- 31:03And you have to have complete possession of the ball. Tony Hill then ran into the grandstand, but he's all right.
- 31:09It'll be second and 10 from the 13.
- 31:11Their tendency held up that time. Frank Reed, the strong safety, did blitz inside of this area.
- 31:16Inside the 20, they like to blitz their strong safety. Inside the 10, they like to blitz their weak safety.
- 31:21Reed came. It had no effect on the play. It was a one-on-one, but he'll just drop the football.
- 31:26But they're going to try to do business unbiased, which is very obvious, and justifiably so because he played very soft on that corner.
- 31:33John Fitzgerald, the center out over the ball. Scott and Rafferty are the guards.
- 31:37Dunovan and Wright, if you'll write, are the tackles. And on the second down, as they show the blitz, the gear is to the running back.
- 31:44A touchdown for Kellett.
- 31:46Running with the ball is Scott Laidlaw. He ran right by the blitz and got the score from 13 yards out.
- 31:53He caught him in a trap. A draw play right up the middle. A beautiful run by Laidlaw.
- 31:58He goes in for the touchdown. But it's going to be a big play game. There's no question about that, Jack.
- 32:05And any time that you play against a team that blitzes this much, you're going to have a lot of big plays.
- 32:12And this has been demonstrated so far in the early stages of this game, with Dallas just scoring.
- 32:18Waters will hold it. Step the end. Tries to kick it through.
- 32:24Snap the set. The kick. Good.
- 32:27Dallas is now on top, and we still haven't had a punt in this football game, with 3.18 remaining in the first quarter.
- 32:35With a score, Dallas 10 and Atlanta 7. Let's take time out.
- 32:40Ohio State Athletic Director Hugh Heidman has disclosed that he had personally fired veteran football coach Woody Hayes for striking a Clemson player.
- 32:49And he says the search for Hayes' successor will start next week.
- 32:53Heidman said he and Ohio State University President Harold Einerson met far into the night following the incident in that Gator Bowl game,
- 33:00and he arrived at the decision. And he told Hayes in the morning at the hotel about the decision.
- 33:06The athletic director said only he and Hayes were present at the time, and he refused to discuss Hayes' reaction or elaborate on the reason for firing Hayes.
- 33:15Hayes flew back to Columbus with a team.
- 33:17The first of the week, according to Heidman, he'll be with the president and others in terms for setting a procedure for naming a successor.
- 33:25Hayes struck Clemson middle guard Charlie Baumann after Baumann, who had intercepted a pass in the closing minutes of Clemson's Gator Bowl victory over Ohio State,
- 33:33taunted the coach by apparently waving the intercepted ball in Hayes' face.
- 33:41Well, something's got to give. Each team has scored each time they've had the ball. Atlanta will get it for the second time.
- 33:47George Franklin and Tom Pridemore flank Dennis Pearson, who is waiting for the set-the-end kick.
- 33:533-18 remaining in the first quarter, and Dallas leading 10-7 in the Seasaw game.
- 33:58Dallas lets free to nothing. Atlanta on top, 7-3. Dallas has regained the lead 10-7.
- 34:04Here's a high kick, and it goes to the sideline, and it goes to Pridemore, and he is across the 20-yard line and moves across the 25-27-yard line, and the Falcons will go from there.
- 34:17On that last trap play, Hope Scott, the left guard, really made a good trap lock that provided Laylaw to go in for the touchdown of 13 yards, but he caught him in a blip.
- 34:29Made the trap, and when we talk about a trap, it means they permit the defensive alignment to come across the line of scrimmage like nobody's going to block him, and then hit him from the side, and that's a trap lock due to the play executed by Herbert Scott.
- 34:41Mitchell, the tight end on the right side, the give is to the tailback, and no gain over the left side. He ran into Harvey Martin and Randy White.
- 34:49And Dee Dee Lewis was really involved in the play that time. The right linebacker was right into the play, and he is really the one who made the tackle.
- 34:59Van De Bein, the coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, is up in the booth, relaxed, enjoying the game. He'll be our guest here at halftime on CBS Radio.
- 35:07No gain on that last play, second down and 10 for Atlanta.
- 35:12They have Alfred Jackson to the right with Billy Rickman split left on second down. Barkowski back to throw over the middle, and incomplete.
- 35:21Incomplete is the incentive for Alfred Jackson, who ran quite a pattern, but the ball just didn't get to him. He had gotten between the quarterback Benny Barnes and the free safety, Cliff Harris.
- 35:31Yes, there was a big seam there, and he was in there perfectly, but the ball was thrown a little bit too high and incomplete.
- 35:38Thanks, Ram. We've been talking about blitzing. This is when Dallas loves to come after you.
- 35:42Yes, they do. They like to come after you, and they're big and they're strong, and they make a real strong commitment to the blitz and put a lot of pressure on you when they do come.
- 35:51Third and 10 from the Atlanta 27. They have Joy Franklin in the backfield, and running with the ball out across the 35-40, a first down goes Franklin to the 40-yard line of Atlanta.
- 36:02They caught him in a total blitz, and one of the best things that you can do, Jack, is run outside because the linebackers are going straight ahead.
- 36:09The ball carrier is going sideways, which eliminates the pursuit of the linebackers, who make 60 to 65 percent of the tackle.
- 36:16And if you can clear that area out, you're going to make a big play. That's exactly what happened on the last run by the Atlanta team.
- 36:23Two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Atlanta's ball, first down at their own 40. They've made some big third down plays already in this game.
- 36:31They have Bubba Bean in the backfield as Mark Tosky gets back to throwing his clips and tackle throw-offs right at the 36-yard line.
- 36:38Anderson got him.
- 36:40And Cliff Harris was whiffing from his free safety position on a first and 10 situation.
- 36:45But here again, Mark Tosky was not ready for that. They fooled them completely on the play, and they lose yardage, which makes it now second and very long.
- 36:55Second down and 17 back at the Atlanta 32. And they'll come again too, Hank. They're not bashful, the Cowboys, aren't they?
- 37:02No, they say, here we come. You block us if you can. And it's tough to do.
- 37:06The extra defensive back, Randy Hughes checks in for Dallas. Mark Washington in there.
- 37:14Second down and 17, Atlanta. Barskowski with Jim Mitchell, the tight end on the right side.
- 37:20Hands off to it running back, and that stand back, he gets to the 35, maybe 36. That's all. It's going to be third down and 13.
- 37:29It was Bob Brunning, the middle linebacker, first there.
- 37:32There's a great illustration of the guessing game that goes on.
- 37:35Mark Tosky thought they were going to blitz again. A trap would have been perfect.
- 37:39Very much the same kind of a play that Dallas used just a minute ago against them.
- 37:43But they did not blitz. They faked the blitz, ran the trap anyhow, and didn't succeed in making much yardage on the play.
- 37:50Larry Cole and Brunning were both there, and so it's with 50 seconds left in the quarter. Third down and 13, Atlanta, their own 36.
- 37:58Barskowski on a long count. Four-man rush by Dallas. He is hit back, back at the 25-yard line.
- 38:06Randy Wade and Ed Jones keep blowing through there, and they got him. They got him.
- 38:13Back at the Atlanta 25-yard line, and the Falcons will have to kick for the first time with John James in there.
- 38:20This game is going to be a big play game, both offensively and defensively, as it's been illustrated so far in this contest.
- 38:27But we're going to see a lot of sparks fly here and a lot of fireworks, Jack, before the afternoon is over.
- 38:31It's a good one so far with Dallas leading 10 to 7, 25 seconds left in the quarter.
- 38:37But Johnson stands at his 35, waiting for the kick from John James, who's been rather inconsistent this year after leading the league previously.
- 38:46Pretty good Dallas rush. He gets it away, and it's a fine kick. It sends Johnson all the way back to the 27.
- 38:52He fumbles, and it's a good cover. Now Moriarty recovers a fumble right out of the arms of But Johnson.
- 39:01Was that a beautiful bounce? He caught it. It was amazing. It came right up to him.
- 39:10He got it on the first hop, just like a short stop at a baseball game, and it's Atlanta ball first and 10 on the Dallas 25-yard line.
- 39:17It was such a good kick that it had driven Johnson downfield, and Moriarty had tremendous coverage on it.
- 39:23I was surprised he was as close to the ball as he was.
- 39:26There was a blocker in front who didn't take a shot at him, and that was the difference in why they were able to recover that fumble.
- 39:32So the Balkans get the ball right back. First down pass to the left sideline. He's hit, and up for a loss of 5 yards on the play.
- 39:40And that's where Barchowski is by Larry Cole, who's playing in place of Gus Roque.
- 39:47Billy Rickman that time tried to beat Aaron Kyle on a deep pattern, a slant, I mean I should say a flat and up,
- 39:54meaning that he goes out on the flat like he's going to catch the ball in that area and then breaks up the field.
- 40:00But that's the end of the first quarter. Cowboys leading the game 10-7.
- 40:09Now the Dallas Cowboys coming through here with a 34-yard field goal by Sepion to take a quick 3-0 lead.
- 40:15And then an 11-yard run by Bean for Atlanta, and that gives Atlanta a 7-3 lead, but then another field goal.
- 40:25And that's the way things stand up here with Dallas coming through with that other touchdown.
- 40:30And the end of the first quarter Dallas leading the Atlanta Falcons.
- 40:40The Dallas Cowboys have won six in a row and are leading here 10-7, but there's no doubt they have their hands full.
- 40:49The official Super Bowl game program will again be a collector's item. You can be one of the collectors.
- 40:54The program will feature scouting reports on the two competing teams, photos and art portfolio of Super Bowl record holders,
- 41:00a special feature on the Lombardi Trophy, and the 12-pass Super Bowl ring.
- 41:05You can get a souvenir copy of the book by sending $3 to Super Bowl XIII Winona, Minnesota, 55987.
- 41:13Super Bowl XIII Winona, Minnesota, 55987.
- 41:16The $3 covers purchase of the book, postage and handling allows six weeks for delivery.
- 41:22A preceding announcement has been brought to you by the National Football League.
- 41:25And don't forget you can listen to Super Bowl XIII for Miami, Florida on Sunday, January 21st.
- 41:31Thanks, Sam, and I will be there. You'll hear the game on most of these CBS radio stations.
- 41:40So far everything's very even, Jack. Dallas has eight first downs, Atlanta has six.
- 41:44Yards rushing 52 for Dallas, 45 for Atlanta. We'll get back to that in just a moment.
- 41:50Second down and 15 from the Dallas 30 for the Falcons.
- 41:54Flipback, Wallace and Rick by the receivers and Franklin going wide, cuts it back.
- 42:00He got about three yards on the play. It'll make a third down and 11 for the Falcons.
- 42:06This time Dave Stahls who was in there on the defensive front for Dallas made the tackle.
- 42:13Third down and 11. Falcons trying to get some mileage out of a raw running back,
- 42:18George Franklin who has some talent.
- 42:20Yes he has and he's got some speed and they were trying to take advantage again.
- 42:23They thought the blitz was on. They guessed wrong. It was not on and they didn't succeed in making much yardage on the play.
- 42:29So it is third down. Now let's see if Dallas blitzes.
- 42:33Ball's on there, 26. Third and 11, Atlanta.
- 42:37And no blitz, the running play to Franklin. Trying to get outside. Couldn't. He has tackled on the 24-yard line.
- 42:43It is fourth down for Atlanta and they may try a long field goal attempt.
- 42:49Randy White chased him. Cliff Harris finished him off.
- 42:52George Franklin running to his left with a ball in the right arm again.
- 42:55Jack he had no way in the world to protect himself.
- 42:58Had he had the ball away from pressure in his left arm while he was running left,
- 43:02at least he would have had an opportunity to use his shoulder or possibly a straight arm.
- 43:06He was handcuffed on the play and was tackled easily.
- 43:10Everybody's in there, but they only have 10 minutes.
- 43:13And we're going to have James holding the ball and Tim Mazetti will try a field goal.
- 43:18They're down to 11 seconds now before snapping the ball.
- 43:21A 42-yard attempt.
- 43:24Almost from the middle of the field and Mazetti gets it up and it is good.
- 43:29A 42-yard field goal by Tim Mazetti.
- 43:33Dies this game at 10-all.
- 43:36We're early on in the second quarter, 13-26 remaining in the half.
- 43:41And with the score, Dallas 10, Atlanta 10. Let's take time out.
- 43:47Charlie Bauman of Clemson who was hit by Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes said right after the game,
- 43:53a reporter asked him, he said, what happened? Did he hit him?
- 43:56And Bauman said, yeah, Hayes did hit me.
- 43:59But later in the locker room after the Clemson coaches had talked with Bauman,
- 44:02he toned down his story. He said after I tackled there was so much excitement I don't know what happened.
- 44:07He said if it happened I'm not going to say anything about it. I just walked away.
- 44:11Saturday Bauman was still shying away from flatly saying that Hayes had struck him.
- 44:15However, television replays clearly showed Hayes coming out on the field about five yards or so
- 44:21and hitting Bauman in the throat.
- 44:24When reporters told him Hayes had already been fired for striking him,
- 44:27the 228 pound guard from New Jersey said, I know he's fired but I want to see the film before I say anything deaf.
- 44:33And he said there was a lot of commotion and he might have gotten pushed into me.
- 44:37But again, television replays clearly showed that Hayes was out there all by himself
- 44:41and clearly threw a punch at Bauman.
- 44:45Well, the Dallas fumble on a punt cost them three.
- 44:50A head slap earlier and unfortunately, like Condeck, cost them some points perhaps.
- 44:56And Mazzetti will kick off with 13 and a half remaining in the half and the score tied 10-all.
- 45:01We haven't settled anything yet here, Coach.
- 45:03Now it's still jump ball, Jack, very obviously.
- 45:06And this I'm sure is a very big surprise to a lot of people around the country
- 45:09because everybody talked like it was going to be a runaway for the Dallas Cowboys.
- 45:13And it's anything but that so far in the early stages of this game.
- 45:17Woods Johnson and Larry Brinson are the kickoff receivers for the Cowboys
- 45:24playing in front of their home crowd and here is a high kick going down to the goal line
- 45:29taken by Johnson out to the tenor reverse.
- 45:32Going to the left side and it's going to be out of bounds beyond the 20-yard line.
- 45:37Running with the ball was Tom Henderson, the linebacker on a kickoff reverse.
- 45:41It looked like he was going to go a lot further than he did.
- 45:44And it was Ricky Patton downfield along with Ernie Jackson to run him out.
- 45:52Our old quarterback in New Orleans, he made a great play there.
- 45:55It looked like he was going to make a big gain on the play.
- 45:58It looked like he was really going someplace. Did he miss a step?
- 46:01No, Ernie Jackson came on the inside and got the angle and got a piece up
- 46:05and knocked him out of bounds. A beautiful play by Ernie Jackson.
- 46:11Tom Henderson got that ball on the kickoff reverse and went out of bounds at the 23-yard line.
- 46:18Anderson likes to be called Hollywood. He's a character and he can play.
- 46:22He's one of the many cowboys on the Pro Bowl team.
- 46:24Yeah, he's a participant. He can really play and really comes after you and really a great hitter.
- 46:29To the right goes Drew Kersen. Tony Hill is the split receiver to the left.
- 46:33The tight end is Billy Joe Dupree on the right side.
- 46:36And it's labeled on Dorsett in the backfield.
- 46:38Here's the pass to the sideline. It's caught by Tony Hill for a worthwhile game.
- 46:43He's a character and he can play. He's one of the many cowboys on the Pro Bowl team.
- 46:47Yeah, he's a participant. He can really play and really comes after you and really a great hitter.
- 46:51To the right goes Drew Kersen. Tony Hill is the split receiver to the left.
- 46:55The tight end is Billy Joe Dupree on the right side.
- 46:58And it's labeled on Dorsett in the backfield.
- 47:00Here's the pass to the sideline. It's caught by Tony Hill for a worthwhile game.
- 47:05He is hit immediately at the 29-yard line tackled by Rick Byas.
- 47:10And it is a game of six yards for the Cowboys. 13 minutes left and a half.
- 47:15That's the first time they've thrown the ball that way, Jack.
- 47:18And I'm surprised that they haven't done so more often because really the defensive backs of Atlanta,
- 47:23even though they put a great deal up front, they play very loosely, very deep.
- 47:27And you should be able to throw in front of them anytime you want to and also on the inside because they play so deep.
- 47:33Wide receivers to the right, both Hill and Drew Kersen.
- 47:37Dorsett has handled the ball infrequently here.
- 47:40The gibbous to Dorsett over the manani gets about two, maybe three yards, moving across the 30-yard line,
- 47:46trying to find a place to go, couldn't.
- 47:48And Jim Bailey, the defensive tackle, made the Atlantis stop.
- 47:52Now the ball is at the Dallas 32 and it's third down and one.
- 47:58Hill, the wide receiver, goes out and the two tight ends are in there, Jackie Smith and Billy Joe Dupree.
- 48:04The score is tight, 10-10.
- 48:06Surprisingly here, one of these teams will be eliminated this afternoon.
- 48:10They'll fight the dust down here in Texas.
- 48:12Laid law is a long setback.
- 48:14Now they shift into splitbacks with Dorsett.
- 48:18A third down play.
- 48:20And Stubbock gives the ball and Dorsett gets the first down across the 35-yard line.
- 48:26Boy, what a hole they open up there.
- 48:28He moves to the 36 and it was Greg Brazino, the linebacker, stopping him.
- 48:33Oh, like that hole?
- 48:34Oh, listen, Ray Fiel Wright and Rafferty,
- 48:36this girl, all of whom did a great job at the point of attack,
- 48:39meaning where he ran the football, a big cavity, a good seam, and a lot of running room,
- 48:43and he made the first down.
- 48:45You know, one thing about the Dallas team, everybody, you know, they're so flamboyant,
- 48:48people think they throw the ball a great deal, which they do,
- 48:50but they have 39 runs a game and 28 passes for the entire season, which is good balance.
- 48:56And they have a first down at their own 37-yard line.
- 48:59Dupree, the tight end is on the right side.
- 49:01Motion by Drew Pearson, Scalbach back to throw.
- 49:04They pick up the blitz.
- 49:05He pops it off to the tight end of the 40, Dupree to the 45.
- 49:08Soon they feel first down for Dallas into Atlanta territory at the 47-yard line.
- 49:14Dupree tackled by Frank Reed.
- 49:16Wilkinson, play again.
- 49:18They fake the sweep, a play-action pass, and then Dupree comes back across shallow.
- 49:26And with wide open on the play, the linebacker on the backside blitzes a great deal,
- 49:30so he's not there to cover on the pass.
- 49:33And if you get the ball up in time, why, he's going to be wide open,
- 49:36which he was that time, and a big first down for the Dallas Cowboys, first and tenth.
- 49:40The Cowboy Blockers did a good job of picking up that blitz.
- 49:43They did, and they did a good job of acting on the play to make it look like a sweep,
- 49:46which you have to do.
- 49:47First down now for the Cowboys.
- 49:50Pearson and Hill, the wide receivers.
- 49:52First down pass by Scalbach coming up.
- 49:54Back to throw.
- 49:55Down the middle, off the hands of Tony Hill as the ball took off on Scalbach.
- 50:00He didn't throw it very well.
- 50:01He had Tony Hill wide open inside the Atlanta 30.
- 50:04Yes, he threw it a little bit too soon again, Jack,
- 50:06and again it goes right back to the anticipation of the blitz.
- 50:09He wants to make sure that he gets the ball off in time.
- 50:12He hurries himself a little bit, and as I mentioned a minute ago,
- 50:15any time that you see the ball sail over the top of people's heads,
- 50:18you know definitely that he's releasing the ball too soon.
- 50:23He's throwing off the back foot before he gets planted on top of the ball.
- 50:26Yes, and throwing the ball from way back about the area of your head
- 50:30instead of out in front where you should throw it.
- 50:32Second down and ten for Dallas.
- 50:36Hill goes left again with Drew Pearson to the right side.
- 50:38Laylaw and Tony Dorsett are the setbacks.
- 50:41And on second down, Dorsett goes to the right.
- 50:43Cuts it back up to the 40.
- 50:45He's down to the 35 for a first down.
- 50:48Tony Dorsett matching the running speed above a bean of Atlanta.
- 50:52Jumpy is quite a person.
- 50:54When he sees a place to go, he goes.
- 50:56Oh, he really flies, and he did exactly that.
- 50:59The only one foot's around the play.
- 51:01Perzina was flitzing from the back side,
- 51:03which means that you don't have the pursuit angle from the back side linebacker.
- 51:06And he cuts back to that area, was wide open,
- 51:09and looked like he might go all the way, but was finally tackled.
- 51:12But here again, they have a first down, good field position,
- 51:15and I'll bet you they come back with a play action pass here on first and ten.
- 51:18Let's see what they do.
- 51:19They're in the Atlanta 35-yard line. Pearson is left.
- 51:22Hill is right.
- 51:23Dupree, the tight end, is on the left side.
- 51:25On first down, here is the running play to Laylaw.
- 51:28No game.
- 51:29He was tackled right at the 35-yard line and driven back.
- 51:32I'm impressed with the scarcity of penalties here in a very important game.
- 51:38Both teams are executing very well.
- 51:40We have had a head slap.
- 51:42That was something that was inadvertent.
- 51:44We've had a clipping call, but not much more.
- 51:47That was a trap play, Jack, and Pennywell, number 59,
- 51:50did a good job of stopping that play at the line of scrimmage.
- 51:54Pennywell, the middle linebacker.
- 51:56Kuykendall, Brazina, the other linebackers,
- 51:59are now doing the claim checks in for the Falcons.
- 52:018.50 left in the half.
- 52:02We're tied 10-10.
- 52:04And a second and ten Dallas from the Atlanta 35.
- 52:07They're in the eye formation.
- 52:10Here's Stabach, faking to the side nine, now looking, looking, looking, looking, looking.
- 52:15And it is caught at the 30-yard line of Atlanta by Dupree.
- 52:19For a gain of five, it'll be third and five.
- 52:22He was covered by Rick Fias, who almost walked right into the pass of that ball.
- 52:26And Stabach must have had eight or nine seconds before he threw it.
- 52:29He had a lot of time, and that's unusual against this Atlanta team,
- 52:32because they provide such a good rush.
- 52:34But I think it illustrates why they do blitz as much as they did or do,
- 52:38because on that play, they only rushed four people, and there was no rush whatsoever.
- 52:43That's why they have to blitz to get to the quarterback.
- 52:46Stabach just kept looking.
- 52:47He looked to the right side.
- 52:48Looked down the middle.
- 52:49Looked to the left side, bound Dupree.
- 52:52And now it's third and five.
- 52:54Preston Pearson is into the game.
- 52:57The ball is at the Atlanta 30-yard line.
- 52:59Stabach from the shotgun, dropped further back, looked, throws, and it is caught by Preston Pearson.
- 53:06Incomplete, incomplete on a diving attempt at the Atlanta 20-yard line.
- 53:10And Stabach really threw that into heavy, heavy traffic.
- 53:14And Brazina was blitzing on the spread formation again.
- 53:16You know, the first time they saw the spread, they blitzed three linebackers.
- 53:19The last few times they've seen it, they only blitzed one linebacker and were involved in coverage.
- 53:24And they had pretty good coverage that time because they had people around the football.
- 53:27Well, here's one by Septienne of a long distance.
- 53:30The line of scrimmage is the 30, so it's going to be 47 yards.
- 53:35He can kick them this far.
- 53:36His longest so far this year has been 48.
- 53:39And that's what this will be.
- 53:42The one thing about Septienne is that he doesn't get the ball up very quickly.
- 53:46He has to really concentrate on getting it up fast.
- 53:49Charlie Waters got it down for him and he got it too.
- 53:5448 yards for Septienne.
- 53:56Slippin' Dallas back on top.
- 53:5948-yard field goal.
- 54:01738 remaining in the half.
- 54:04There's a timeout on the field with the score now.
- 54:07Dallas 13 and Atlanta 10.
- 54:12This game, going into the game, Jack, we talked about the fact that it would be a big play kind of a game.
- 54:18And it's been exactly that with a lot of big plays both offensively and defensively.
- 54:23The Atlanta team has a reputation of doing a lot of blitzing during the course of the contest.
- 54:27They really haven't blitzed that much with the exception of the one linebacker, Greg Brazina, who comes almost all the time.
- 54:33But the real surprise, I think, really, has been the fact that the Dallas team has blitzed quite a few times, including a safety blitz.
- 54:41And it's been very effective for them.
- 54:43But I think any time that you have a lot of blitzing, you're going to see a lot of big plays both offensively and defensively.
- 54:48You're going to guess right, you're going to guess wrong.
- 54:50But you can't worry about the mistakes that you make.
- 54:52You have to go into the game with a big play philosophy and say if we catch them in the right defense, why, we're going to make a big play.
- 54:58If we miss, why, we're going to lose yardage.
- 55:00But we can't be discouraged about it. We just have to play according to what we feel we can best do to win the football game.
- 55:06And it's very obvious that's what they're doing.
- 55:08Now this game hasn't settled down yet.
- 55:13There's been only one punt. We have 7.38 left and a half.
- 55:17Septien will kick it off.
- 55:19And the deep men are Tom Prydmore, George Franklin, and in the middle, Dennis Pearson, the biggest threat of the three.
- 55:26You know, Septien's last kick of 48 yards was the longest field goal in Dallas' playoff history.
- 55:33Here's his kickoff. It is high, rather deep.
- 55:36Taking on the 8 by Pearson to the 15, to the 20, he's to the 30.
- 55:40Gets outside to the 35, 40 yard line and on above.
- 55:44A flag goes down.
- 55:47There's going to be a personal foul tacked onto this against Dallas on a slugging or a face mask violation.
- 55:56Septien, the kicker, is the one who got him out of bounds and probably saved a touchdown return.
- 56:02Well, it looks like he hit him in the head again. It's one of those things, Jack. It looks like it anyhow. Let's see what they call.
- 56:09Dennis Pearson ran the ball back.
- 56:13To about his own 45 and now they mark the ball down to the Dallas 45, 40 yard line.
- 56:26Personal foul, yes sir, he runs it. Number one defense first down.
- 56:33A personal foul against Dallas, the second of the day.
- 56:36And instead of paying back at their own 45, they're down to the Dallas 40, the Falcons are.
- 56:41Rickman goes to the right along with Alfred Jackson, the wide receiver.
- 56:46And Mitchell, Jim Mitchell, the tight end splits out.
- 56:49And on first down, Mark Kowski at quarterback with stand back and Bubba Bean at the backfield, a draw play.
- 56:55And here's Bubba Bean getting four or five yards on the play tackled by the linebacker, Tom Anderson.
- 57:01You know, that was a good play that time. They split Mitchell again, the tight end. He went out and Warner went out with him.
- 57:06But in conjunction with that, the linebacker, Dee Dee Lewis, also reduced his split.
- 57:11And there was a lot of room in that area. They ran a good play, a draw.
- 57:14And they picked up about five yards in the play, makes a second and five.
- 57:19The ball to the Dallas 35 yard line. Rickman goes right with Jackson.
- 57:24Mitchell splits left again. There is the running play and it is Bubba Bean moving down to the 31.
- 57:32And he looks like he did, talking about Bubba Bean when he was running right after coming out of Texas A&M.
- 57:39And when we saw him last week, he had a neck injury which slowed him down considerably.
- 57:42He just picked up nine in two tries. It's third and one from the Dallas 31.
- 57:46Yeah, it's amazing how much faster though, and specifically, they do run faster on synthetic turf than the muddy track that we've seen them run on in recent weeks.
- 57:54Larry Bethe is in there defensively for Dallas on third and one.
- 57:57They really stack it up on the line of scrimmage. Will Kowski gamble?
- 58:01No, he gives to Bean. Bean is hit and stops. He didn't get a first down.
- 58:05Riven back, it will be fourth and one.
- 58:08That's the one thing that hurts Atlanta. They do not have a big, strong, sledgehammer running back at all.
- 58:13Bob Rooney made the tackle that time from his middle linebacker position.
- 58:16But they don't have that sledgehammer back that can get the extra yardage on his own.
- 58:20It has to be cleaned out perfectly for him to get the yardage. And it wasn't that time and he didn't make the first down.
- 58:25They're going to go for the first down on the fourth down try.
- 58:28They're going to go. It's fourth down and a foot from the Dallas, just outside the Dallas 30.
- 58:34George Franklin is into the backfield. Now, he's the big back that Hank's talking about.
- 58:38He weighs 230. And he's in the high formation. Two tight ends are in there for Atlanta.
- 58:43Fourth down, they're gambling at the Dallas 30 yard line.
- 58:46The toss is to Franklin. He gets the first down to the 27 yard line of Dallas.
- 58:53D.D. Lewis got him, but they didn't go up the middle. They tossed it to Franklin and he got the first down.
- 58:58It was a good call because the Dallas defense were all in the gaps.
- 59:02It's hard to run into those areas when you have people in the gaps.
- 59:05The place to run was off-back or outside. They picked the right spot, made the yardage in his first and 10, and they keep the drive alive.
- 59:12One thing, you know, Mitchell has been splitting off from his tight end position to the left side.
- 59:16Waters is covering him man for man. He's got an awful lot of room on Waters.
- 59:19If they haven't thrown him the ball yet, they should because they'll make some yardage.
- 59:23The ball is to Dallas 27. Bartkowski on first down.
- 59:27He is back to throw. Rolling left. No pressure. He throws now.
- 59:31It is caught at the 20 yard line by Wallace Francis and he is spun out of bounds at the 20.
- 59:36That's pause five seconds for stations to identify themselves on the CBS radio network.
- 59:42This is the American Forces radio and television service.
- 59:48The ball is marked down on the Dallas 19 with five minutes remaining and the clock stopped.
- 59:53Five minutes remaining in the half, that is. And it is second down and two for Atlanta.
- 1:00:00You know, Dick Wood, the offensive backfield coach and the quarterback coach specifically for Atlanta,
- 1:00:05has really done a great job with Steve Bartkowski and he, of course, he was our quarterback coach at New Orleans.
- 1:00:10Second down and two. Stand back and Bean in the backfield.
- 1:00:14And the double bean on a slant to the right side dives for a first down near the 17 of Dallas.
- 1:00:19Larry Cole was on him, but he couldn't prevent the first down.
- 1:00:24And we have four fifty one remaining in the half. Great play calling by Atlanta thus far.
- 1:00:29Yes, they're calling the play from the sideline. The coaching staff is doing that.
- 1:00:32But Bartkowski has the privilege of changing the play at the line of scrimmage any time he has to do so.
- 1:00:37And he's done it quite a few times in this game.
- 1:00:39He's really done a good job of recognizing situations and coming up with the right call.
- 1:00:45They measure for a first down and it is a first down.
- 1:00:49The left handed referee, Cal LaFour, tells us at the Dallas 17.
- 1:00:55So Atlanta trailing 13 to 10 with four fifty one remaining in the half, trying to move in for the go ahead score.
- 1:01:02Moving the ball surprisingly well against the Cowboys.
- 1:01:05They really are. And as I mentioned, they don't have the great running backs.
- 1:01:09They have good, steady, dependable backs, but especially do not have a big sledgehammer back.
- 1:01:14Here we see three receivers in the game.
- 1:01:17Three wide receivers on first down. Bartkowski back to throw.
- 1:01:21But throws and it is a touchdown to all of Clampton.
- 1:01:25He got in between two men and Bartkowski was on the money.
- 1:01:30And it's a touchdown of 17 yards for Atlanta.
- 1:01:35He got between Cliff Harris and Benny Barnes.
- 1:01:39And Bartkowski couldn't have thrown the ball any better.
- 1:01:42I tell you, he's a great young talent. He's got a good gun, good strong.
- 1:01:46The RPMs and that ball that time was really fizzling.
- 1:01:50But he did a great job of getting the ball between two defensive backs.
- 1:01:54Beautiful play by Bartkowski, a great catch by Wally Francis.
- 1:01:58And now the extra point is good by Mazzetti.
- 1:02:01So the Cowboys and their fans are thoroughly shocked here with 426 remaining in the half.
- 1:02:08The Falcons lead the Cowboys 17-13 and let's take time out.
- 1:02:14If Monday's lineup of college bowl games is a slow sip of champagne for football fans,
- 1:02:19then Sunday night's blue-bonnet bowl between Stanford and Georgia Tech could be the popping of the court.
- 1:02:25According to Georgia head coach Vince Dooley, if we can hold up our end of the scoring,
- 1:02:29it should be a wild football game.
- 1:02:31The Stanford Cardinals at 7-4 are not to be confused with a good defensive team this season,
- 1:02:36despite suffering their four losses by a total of 16 points.
- 1:02:40But their offense, ignited by the 63 percent passing of Steve Dills,
- 1:02:45caused opponents defensive coaches to run screaming into the night.
- 1:02:48Stanford coach Bill Walters says, we'll complete passes and Georgia knows we will.
- 1:02:53Accepting that, the seventh-ranked Bulldogs must outscore the Cardinals.
- 1:02:56And they may be able to do that with Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year,
- 1:03:00tailback Willie McClendon, and two quarterbacks, one of them who can run very fast.
- 1:03:05So that should be quite a football game in the blue-bonnet bowl from Houston, Texas.
- 1:03:11Thanks, Sam and Jack, but from Dallas.
- 1:03:15Well, the Dallas Cowboys might win this playoff game.
- 1:03:18They're trailing 17-13, but they're not blowing anybody out, as had been predicted by everybody.
- 1:03:23They're going to hurt everybody.
- 1:03:24Yeah, they're going to have the right to do that.
- 1:03:26It's not going to be given to them, Jack.
- 1:03:27That's very obvious because of the way the Atlanta team is playing.
- 1:03:30And they're really doing a super job both offensively and defensively.
- 1:03:34I anticipate the same kind of a game tomorrow in the Vikings play at Los Angeles.
- 1:03:37We'll be on the air at 4.50 p.m.
- 1:03:39Prior to that, Houston and New England, Jim Kelly and Tim Ryan at 12.50 Eastern Time,
- 1:03:44here on CBS Radio.
- 1:03:46Here's the kick from Mazzetti.
- 1:03:48Brinson and Johnson are deep.
- 1:03:50This is a line drive kick.
- 1:03:52And it is fumbled at the ten-yard line.
- 1:03:55Recovery by Atlanta.
- 1:03:57Loose ball inside the ten.
- 1:03:59Loose ball at the goal line.
- 1:04:01The ball's a long two.
- 1:04:03It's a touchback.
- 1:04:04Dallas has it.
- 1:04:05It'll come out to the 20-yard line.
- 1:04:07It's a touchback.
- 1:04:08It'll come out to the 20-yard line.
- 1:04:11The ball was fumbled.
- 1:04:15And first of all by Bush Johnson.
- 1:04:17It was near the 20-yard line.
- 1:04:19It was touched by Atlanta at the 15.
- 1:04:21Touched by Dallas at the 10.
- 1:04:23By Atlanta at the 5.
- 1:04:24Went into the end zone.
- 1:04:25Recovered by Dallas at the touchback.
- 1:04:28And the Cowboys were really lucky that time.
- 1:04:30Oh, they dodged a bullet there, Jack, because they were in serious trouble at Atlanta.
- 1:04:35And really Atlanta had possession it looked like.
- 1:04:37And they blew the opportunity to have possession in good scoring position.
- 1:04:42Finally coming away was Bruce Hother, the linebacker.
- 1:04:44He saved the day by getting the ball actually outside the goal line, but split into the end zone.
- 1:04:49And it's a touchback.
- 1:04:51Dallas goes from their own 20, trailing by four points with 412 remaining in the half.
- 1:04:56And on first down, Staubach with a two-tied end, starts Drew Pearson in motion.
- 1:05:01And he gives the ball to Dorsett.
- 1:05:03Cracks it up the middle.
- 1:05:04Across the 25-yard line.
- 1:05:06He fumbled the ball.
- 1:05:07And Atlanta recovers at the 30.
- 1:05:09Dorsett fumbled.
- 1:05:10And Tom Pridemore got it for the visiting Atlanta Falcons.
- 1:05:14And they could do more damage before the half.
- 1:05:17Dorsett had gained six yards and popped it up.
- 1:05:21Oh, a wild football game.
- 1:05:27The tackle was made by Kuykendall.
- 1:05:29And he shook the ball loose from Dorsett.
- 1:05:32And on the 30-yard line, Pridemore, the safety man, recovers.
- 1:05:37So Atlanta is at the Dallas 30.
- 1:05:39If they run right, Jack.
- 1:05:45On first down with Bubba Bean, the long setback.
- 1:05:48The blitz is on.
- 1:05:49The draw play.
- 1:05:50Bubba Bean goes to the 25.
- 1:05:52Gets down to the 21-yard line.
- 1:05:54Gained about nine yards.
- 1:05:55Clippers tackled him.
- 1:05:56And Atlanta is just ripping him up here.
- 1:05:59Got him in a draw trap that time against a blitzing situation.
- 1:06:02And there again, any time that happens, boy, you're going to have some big plays.
- 1:06:06If you guess right, they did guess right on that play.
- 1:06:08And makes it now second and one on the 21-yard line of the Dallas Cowboys.
- 1:06:17What a surprising turn of events.
- 1:06:19Three and a half remaining in the half.
- 1:06:21Second and one for the Falcons.
- 1:06:23That's the 21-yard line of Dallas.
- 1:06:25Stand back is in the backfield with Bubba Bean.
- 1:06:28It's Bubba Bean lurking at the 20 for a first down to the 19-yard line.
- 1:06:32Then the ball claimed loose, but the ball had been whistled in.
- 1:06:35Dee Dee Lewis made the tackle.
- 1:06:37It's a first down at Atlanta.
- 1:06:41Three-ten remaining in the half and clock running.
- 1:06:46The ball is marked at the Dallas 18-yard line.
- 1:06:50Well, Hank Strand said the Cowboys dodged the bullet a moment ago,
- 1:06:53but another bullet came right back and got him.
- 1:06:56Found its mark when door set bubbles.
- 1:06:58First down at Atlanta.
- 1:07:00Wide receivers to the left are Rickman and Francis.
- 1:07:03The right side is wide open on a running play.
- 1:07:07Now Francis goes out over there and sets up there.
- 1:07:10On first down, Bubba Bean cracks it back over the middle to the 15-yard line.
- 1:07:16That's what you're talking about, Hank.
- 1:07:18The right side was wide open that time.
- 1:07:20It looked like they were a little confused as to where they should line up
- 1:07:22with a double-wing formation that time.
- 1:07:24There was a lot of running room, even more so on the outside right
- 1:07:28than there was on the inside.
- 1:07:30But despite that, he still made a good chunk on that situation,
- 1:07:33first and 10, now a second and five, a five-yard gain on the play.
- 1:07:37And we have 2-13 remaining.
- 1:07:39Atlanta's going to let the clock run out.
- 1:07:41We'll have the two-minute warning.
- 1:07:43They'll have the ball second down and four from the Dallas 13,
- 1:07:46and then they'll still have two minutes to try to add to their lead of four points.
- 1:07:51There is the two-minute warning.
- 1:07:53A pause in the action with a score.
- 1:07:55Atlanta 17, the Dallas Cowboys 13.
- 1:07:58Let's take time out.
- 1:08:01A confident team coming off its biggest victory in 10 years
- 1:08:04opposes the club, trying to ignore the controversy surrounding its head coach
- 1:08:08when the Houston Orders play the New England Patriots
- 1:08:11for a first in the AFC championship game.
- 1:08:14The Orders in the playoffs for the first time since 1969
- 1:08:17earned the right to play New England with a 17-9 upset
- 1:08:20of the Miami Dolphins last week in the AFC wild-card playoff.
- 1:08:25New England's last game also was against Miami in a regular season finale, December 18,
- 1:08:30but the Patriots suffered a 23-3 loss for a few hours
- 1:08:33after coach Chuck Fairbanks was suspended
- 1:08:36for announcing he had accepted a head coaching job at the University of Colorado.
- 1:08:40Two days after dropping the bombshell about his new job,
- 1:08:43Fairbanks was reinstated as the New England coach by owner Billy Sullivan,
- 1:08:47but is expected to leave the Patriots for the Colorado job when the season ends.
- 1:08:52The Patriots' coaches deny their teams are at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum.
- 1:09:02Thanks, Sam.
- 1:09:03Suggest that when Atlanta went into the stall waiting for the two-minute warning,
- 1:09:07the Dallas should have called a timeout.
- 1:09:09No, no, Atlanta should have called a timeout.
- 1:09:11Atlanta should have called a timeout, Jack.
- 1:09:13That way they would have still had three timeouts at the two-minute warning,
- 1:09:16and they could have run another play.
- 1:09:18They still had three timeouts because of the automatic timeout
- 1:09:21and the timeout.
- 1:09:22Well, let's see what happens.
- 1:09:26It is second down and four from the Dallas 13-yard line.
- 1:09:30Stand back goes off on a wing.
- 1:09:33Bubba Bean is the setback.
- 1:09:34Two wide receivers to the left.
- 1:09:36Here's a gift to Bubba Bean.
- 1:09:37He has hit it to 12.
- 1:09:38He gained only a yard, a yard and a half.
- 1:09:41Cliff Harris came up along with Tom Henderson,
- 1:09:43both out of the secondary, Henderson the linebacker,
- 1:09:46and Harris the safety man,
- 1:09:48and they were gambling that Atlanta wasn't throwing.
- 1:09:51The ball is at the 12, and it is third down and the four for Atlanta.
- 1:09:56I can't understand why they don't throw the ball outside the stand back
- 1:09:59when he goes in motion because Waters,
- 1:10:01the strong safety goes out into that area,
- 1:10:04gives them a lot of room,
- 1:10:05and they ought to be able to throw in front of Waters anytime they want to,
- 1:10:09but they haven't done so yet with that double-wing formation.
- 1:10:11With 1.30 remaining, officials have called a timeout,
- 1:10:14so let's take a moment for this message.
- 1:10:18In college basketball action on Friday night, a big upset.
- 1:10:22Ohio State knocking off the nation's top-ranked team, the Duke Blue Devils.
- 1:10:26It was 76-all at the end of regulation,
- 1:10:28but Ohio State got them an overtime 90 to 84.
- 1:10:33Mississippi State upset 10th-rank Louisville 80 to 73
- 1:10:37to win the championship in the Louisville tournament.
- 1:10:39Fourth-rank Michigan State defeated Oregon State 65-57 in the Far West Classic semifinals.
- 1:10:45Fifth-rank North Carolina beat Dartmouth 86 to 67.
- 1:10:48Sixth-rank Illinois, led by the College of the Ozarks, 88 to 82.
- 1:10:53Number seven, Louisiana State down Colgate 100 to 73.
- 1:10:57Eighth-rank Michigan beat Texas at El Paso, 60 to 54.
- 1:11:02Number nine, North Carolina State took Penn State 80 to 58.
- 1:11:06Number 12, Texas A&M defeated the Air Force 73 to 66,
- 1:11:10and Nevada Las Vegas dumped Loyola of Los Angeles 103 to 73.
- 1:11:18Well, believe it or not, folks, the Dallas Cowboys are facing extinction
- 1:11:22from the National Football League playoffs here this afternoon at Texas Stadium.
- 1:11:26Hank Stram and Jack Buck with you.
- 1:11:28Atlanta leading 17-13, 1.30 left in the half.
- 1:11:32Third down and four for Atlanta from the Dallas 12-yard line.
- 1:11:37Markowski with stand back and puff a bean.
- 1:11:40Good place for another trap, for another trap play, Jack.
- 1:11:43The middle is wide open.
- 1:11:45Markowski calls the signal.
- 1:11:48And takes the snap. They run with the ball.
- 1:11:50Stand back, trying to get outside. Does. And. First down to the seven-yard line.
- 1:11:55Stand back on a plant to the left side.
- 1:11:58And a game tackle by Jones and Henderson, but he got some good blocking up front.
- 1:12:02Bill McKinley was out leading the play with others and did a heck of a job.
- 1:12:07Yes, they did, really did.
- 1:12:09And that time they didn't have anybody in the middle area, Jack, and a draw trap.
- 1:12:13Anything up the middle would have been a good play.
- 1:12:15Obviously the play they ran was also a good play because they made the necessary yardage
- 1:12:19for the first down, but let's see, possibly, if they might do that on this series.
- 1:12:24By that I mean run something up the middle if they can get the line back or moving.
- 1:12:27That line has just called a timeout here, Hank, and that seemed a real waste to me
- 1:12:30with 1.21 remaining in the half. They have but one timeout left.
- 1:12:34Well, it is a waste, Jack, but it isn't if there was confusion on what he was supposed to call.
- 1:12:40They're sending a play then from the sideline.
- 1:12:42Evidently there was some confusion on what was done, and rather than do something with indecision,
- 1:12:48you want to make sure that you get a straight in this scoring opportunity,
- 1:12:50and that's why they probably called a timeout to make sure that it was all straightened out.
- 1:12:55They've marked down six and a half yards away from the Dallas goal line,
- 1:12:59and assuming good ball handling on the part of Atlanta, they'll get at least three more points
- 1:13:03if things go their way and be ahead by seven and a half and maybe by more than that.
- 1:13:08A reminder, fans, that CBS Radio Sports brings you the Super Bowl on most of these stations on January 21st,
- 1:13:14the colossal windup of the pro football season.
- 1:13:17Hank Stram and I will be there to bring you the festivities and the play-by-play,
- 1:13:21and Pat Summerall will provide special commentary before and half-time and after the game.
- 1:13:26Listen here for the Super Bowl, January 21st, on most of these CBS stations.
- 1:13:31First down and goal to go, six and a half yards away for Atlanta.
- 1:13:35And the give is to George Franklin, trying to get outside, cuts it back,
- 1:13:39has hit it to line of scrimmage, dives to the five, second and goal from there, George Franklin.
- 1:13:44Falcons still have plenty of time, 1-10 remaining, clock running, Larry Cole tackles Franklin,
- 1:13:50and they go into the automatic play this time.
- 1:13:54It's called two in a row, it's second and goal for the five,
- 1:13:57Barkowski back to throw into the end zone, and incomplete.
- 1:14:01Incomplete and bobbled around by Wallace Francis, who is a lightning bolt going into that end zone.
- 1:14:07Benny Barnes trying to stay with him, he almost caught that ball.
- 1:14:10He had it and dropped it. It was right where it had to be, right at the numbers, a little low,
- 1:14:15but it was impossible to guard against, but he had it and dropped it.
- 1:14:18Good play, however, by Benny Barnes, who got a hand, I think, in the area where the ball was thrown and knocked it three.
- 1:14:24Al Jackson checks in as a wide receiver, Franklin goes out,
- 1:14:27so they will have Atlanta, Wallace Francis, Alfred Jackson, and Billy Rickman
- 1:14:32as their wide receivers, third and goal from the five.
- 1:14:35Good place here for the draw play now, they're not going to have anybody in the middle area,
- 1:14:38they changed the defensive philosophy in this area, they don't have a middle linebacker.
- 1:14:44Markowski on third down, third and goal from the five, back to throw, not much pressure, into the end zone, and incomplete.
- 1:14:52Overthrown to Wallace Francis, who went high, and Mark Washington might have tipped the ball high over the head of Francis,
- 1:14:59and with 52 seconds left in the half, Mazetti and Company come in, trying to make it 20 to 13.
- 1:15:06Mazetti kicks a long one a moment ago, 42 yards, the ball will be held by John James at the 13, at the 12 yard line.
- 1:15:2622 yard attempt is up and good, Atlanta keeps climbing up points.
- 1:15:31They lead 20 to 13 with 50 seconds remaining in the half, and Dallas is stunned as they trail by touchdown.
- 1:15:41And they'll have only 50 seconds and three timeouts with which to accomplish something.
- 1:15:48And Atlanta is sky high, Mazetti will now kick it off, a 22 yard field goal by Tim Mazetti.
- 1:15:58He's a story isn't he Hank? Oh isn't he something?
- 1:16:01And he had tryouts with other clubs in the league and didn't have an opportunity to stay with other teams.
- 1:16:07One of the Atlanta team has really done a remarkable job for this franchise.
- 1:16:12Well Dallas has been grown to make mistakes today, they fumbled a punt, that cost them.
- 1:16:17They fumbled a kickoff, and they fumbled on the very next play from scrimmage after recovering their own fumble, and that just cost them three more.
- 1:16:26And in addition they've had a couple of personal fouls which have mitigated against them.
- 1:16:31How's that word mitigated? Fancy, fancy, I know you don't know what it means but he used it well.
- 1:16:36I was about to ask you if it's right or wrong. It's right.
- 1:16:4050 seconds left in the half, Mazetti will kick it off, Larry Princeton and Butch Johnson at back, standing inside their five yard line.
- 1:16:51The Atlanta, the underdogs by as much as two touchdowns coming in. They were underdogs last week against Philadelphia Eagles.
- 1:16:58They've been underdogs all week long, they're underdogs in an inter-squad game I think, Jack, but they keep winning.
- 1:17:05Here's Mazetti's kick. High, coming down to Princeton on the three yard line, he's to the ten, to the 15, to the 20, he's to the 25, he's out near the 27 yard line for Dallas.
- 1:17:1845 seconds left and the defensive back, Bob Blaisbrook, a good downfield tackler, did the work for the Falcons.
- 1:17:24They mark it at the Dallas 26.
- 1:17:28You know Hank, when your team has been making mistakes and they're falling behind, you receive a kickoff like that and the first thing that's in your mind is don't fumble.
- 1:17:36Returning it for a score is secondary.
- 1:17:38That's right, make sure that you hold on to the football regardless of what happens so that you don't lose possession in this part of the field and give up an easy opportunity for another score.
- 1:17:46Into the double wing, Stabach from the shotgun formation is back to throw.
- 1:17:51Atlanta puts on the pressure, Stabach throws it over the middle and it is down at the 40 yard line.
- 1:17:58Drew Pearson went up and it was Rolland Lawrence who went up, wrestled with him and slipped the ball and Stabach has been getting hit on every play, his plan on his back right now.
- 1:18:10And it looks like there's a flag down there too, no, that's just a yellow arrow.
- 1:18:14But he has been getting hit on every play Hank.
- 1:18:16Yes he has and that's one thing that fans around the country don't realize, you know once the quarterback releases the ball they automatically follow the play of the ball, they don't see what happens to the quarterback and that's when he really gets a shot.
- 1:18:28Somebody gave him a shot this time.
- 1:18:30It was Pennywell I think.
- 1:18:32The linebacker got to him and Stabach is stretched down on the turf near the 10 yard line.
- 1:18:3738 second remaining in the half as Danny White starts to loosen up along the sideline.
- 1:18:42Danny White is now the penalty is marked off and you were right Hank, it was a flag and the ball moves out to the first of the fouls.
- 1:18:52First foul roughing the passing.
- 1:18:54First down.
- 1:18:56And a first down for Dallas.
- 1:18:58They're confused, they don't know what to make of the transpiring here. Yeah they're not in this position very often, 38 seconds left in this first half Jack and Atlanta's winning as you know 20 to 13 over the Dallas Cowboys.
- 1:19:13Well last year in the Super Bowl, Super Bowl 12 it was Dallas beating Denver.
- 1:19:17Denver was eliminated earlier this afternoon.
- 1:19:19That's a goal with 33-10 Pittsburgh and we might very well see both Super Bowl contenders of a year ago bite the dust this afternoon and have new participants on the 21st of January.
- 1:19:30We'll be there.
- 1:19:33Won't you?
- 1:19:35I hope.
- 1:19:36And prior to that we have two games tomorrow here on CBS radio.
- 1:19:41First it'll be Houston at New England.
- 1:19:44And then it'll be Minnesota at Los Angeles.
- 1:19:46Staubach is in a sitting position now at the 10 yard line.
- 1:19:51Still hasn't gotten to his feet as he's tended to.
- 1:19:54And the officials of course here will give you all the time that you need.
- 1:19:58They don't want anybody moved unnecessarily.
- 1:20:02A wild football game here in Texas.
- 1:20:06Pennywell Reedy got a beautiful hit on Staubach that last time.
- 1:20:10Staubach is in a kneeling position now in a standing position and he is really hurting as he goes to the sideline.
- 1:20:21He is hurting Hank.
- 1:20:22I'm not about to guess what the ailment is but he is not right.
- 1:20:26No and the great competitor that he is and as tough as he is there's got to be something pretty seriously wrong with him.
- 1:20:32For him to have to leave the field the way he is leaving it at this particular moment.
- 1:20:38Danny White is the quarterback.
- 1:20:40He guided the Cowboys last week in their last game two weeks ago to the 30 to 7 win over the Jets.
- 1:20:47He operates out of the shotgun.
- 1:20:49He looks to the side line and he's caught at the line of 45.
- 1:20:53Down the 40 yard line.
- 1:20:55Out about at the 45 yard line.
- 1:20:58Stepping out with the ball was Drew Pearson covered by Frank Reed as White was on target with his first throw.
- 1:21:05Now we have 32 seconds left in the half. First down for Dallas.
- 1:21:09Blocked up and they are at the 45 yard line of Atlanta.
- 1:21:14You don't get the impression that they're picking on bias at all.
- 1:21:16They're playing with the pick on bias the right corner back Jack.
- 1:21:18Do you get that feeling at all?
- 1:21:20Just a little.
- 1:21:21At almost every play.
- 1:21:22The other corner back is Rolland Lawrence who took the ball away from Pearson a moment ago.
- 1:21:29Out of the shotgun again.
- 1:21:32Double wing.
- 1:21:34And that's the first and first in the game for Dallas.
- 1:21:37And Atlanta.
- 1:21:38Still not flicking.
- 1:21:39Not flicking the throws to the sideline and broken up by Lawrence of whom we spoke a moment ago.
- 1:21:44He came dashing in there in front of Pearson again.
- 1:21:4828 seconds remaining in the half.
- 1:21:50Second and tenth Dallas from the Atlanta 45 yard line.
- 1:21:54Dewey McLean and a little extra curricular activity there that time.
- 1:21:5852.
- 1:22:00To the left linebacker.
- 1:22:04No inflection on the play.
- 1:22:06No penalty on the play.
- 1:22:07There was some bumping around after the play was over.
- 1:22:10Second down and tenth.
- 1:22:12What's the score?
- 1:22:13Well Atlanta leads Dallas 20 to 13.
- 1:22:17Dabach heads for the dressing room.
- 1:22:20Dabach heads for the dressing room.
- 1:22:23Second down and tenth with Danny White.
- 1:22:26An awful lot of room on the outside in a one on one situation with the flankers on the corners.
- 1:22:30There's White back to the throw.
- 1:22:32There he is.
- 1:22:33He throws and it is caught at the 35 by the time in Dupree.
- 1:22:37And 21 seconds remaining.
- 1:22:41It's not enough for a first down.
- 1:22:43Let's see where they mark the ball.
- 1:22:44They gave him a little more forward progress than they thought he had.
- 1:22:47They stopped the clock to measure for a first down and that really helps Dallas because they have only one time out remaining.
- 1:22:53Yes, definitely so and Puchendahl that time.
- 1:22:57Looks like he was hurt on the play.
- 1:22:58I don't know what was wrong specifically but he is.
- 1:23:01And here comes Frank Reed, the safety man to the sideline looking for some medical help.
- 1:23:10They're going to measure to see if Dallas has a first down in the area of the Atlanta 30 yard line.
- 1:23:18They're already within likely field goal range for Septienne who kicked one earlier of 48 yards.
- 1:23:26Now they're short on a first down.
- 1:23:29The Cowboys are only 21 seconds remaining in the half.
- 1:23:33Roger Stavok has been injured.
- 1:23:35He has left the playing field, retired to the dressing room.
- 1:23:38We'll have to wait a word on the injury and we'll have to wait word as to whether or not we'll see him in the second half of this game.
- 1:23:46Meanwhile, the four year veteran Danny White from Arizona State, this being his fourth year, 6'2", 192 is the quarterback.
- 1:23:57Cowboys have only one time out remaining and they cannot squander it.
- 1:24:02Why not have the shotgun?
- 1:24:08Here comes the blitz.
- 1:24:09Bad snap from center.
- 1:24:10White picks it up and he is tackled with 18 seconds remaining.
- 1:24:15They were coming and he got a bad snap and now Atlanta has recovered the fumble.
- 1:24:20A fumble by White with only 16 seconds remaining.
- 1:24:23The linebacker Dewey McLean got the ball.
- 1:24:25Another Dallas mistake.
- 1:24:26You know, I'm sure that we'll see if Danny White plays in the second half, I'm sure that we'll see a lot more blitzing in the second half by the Atlanta team.
- 1:24:34How could they blitz it any more than they have?
- 1:24:35Well, they haven't blitzed that much really, Jack.
- 1:24:37They, total blitzes I'm talking about.
- 1:24:39They've done that maybe four or five times in a ball game and that's about all.
- 1:24:45Atlanta leading by 7'20"-13' probably will be content to run it out.
- 1:24:50The Cowboys won't be able to do anything about that.
- 1:24:52Atlanta has the ball with their own 45 yard line first down.
- 1:24:55White got a bad snap from center and then lost the ball.
- 1:24:59Dallas goes into the prevent defense and Bartkowski ears it out, throws it long downfield and it is incomplete inside the 10 yard line.
- 1:25:08Inside the 10 yard line there are no less than three, five, eight players.
- 1:25:14That time, Jack, we saw the fake bin play is what you saw.
- 1:25:17Three receivers on the outside, all of whom went straight down the field with the anticipation of getting a jump ball situation, getting a deflected ball possibly coming up with a football like they did against the New Orleans Saints to win the game and the waning second twice against the New Orleans Saints.
- 1:25:33That was what they call that play, the fake bin.
- 1:25:36Three receivers on one side, throw the ball up in the air and hope somebody comes out down with it.
- 1:25:41Ball still at the Atlanta 45 yard line.
- 1:25:44Here it is again on the left side.
- 1:25:45Three wide receivers all to the left side.
- 1:25:48And it is Bartkowski back to throw.
- 1:25:50He looks and hears it out again down inside the 20 and it is intercepted by Dallas with no time remaining on the clock.
- 1:25:59Intercepted by Randy Hughes and the gun is sounded.
- 1:26:03What a revolting turn of events as far as the Cowboys and their fans are concerned.
- 1:26:09And by the way, another player is down for the Cowboys.
- 1:26:13Randy Hughes intercepted the ball, is slow in getting up and he needs medical attention.
- 1:26:19So not only are the Cowboys trailing, but they appear to be getting the worst of it from a physical viewpoint.
- 1:26:26There's the gun sounding the end of the first half with a score.
- 1:26:29The Atlanta Falcons 20 and the Dallas Cowboys 13.
- 1:26:33Thank you very much Dan.
- 1:26:34Dan Devine, the head coach of the University of Notre Dame.
- 1:26:40The Cotton Ball is at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
- 1:26:43The broadcast here on CBS Radio with Connie Alexander and Tom Hedrick.
- 1:26:49Still no word on Roger Stubbock.
- 1:26:51He was being examined during the halftime and they've given out no word.
- 1:26:55And here is the kickoff forthcoming from Sepp Tien.
- 1:27:00And Dennis Pearson waits for it.
- 1:27:02It goes to Plymore.
- 1:27:04He takes it on the 13.
- 1:27:05He's to the 20s planning to the 25 yard line.
- 1:27:08Cuts it back up, did not get to the 30 and there goes the flag.
- 1:27:12A flag is down and the Falcons have the football here at the outset of the second half.
- 1:27:18Hank Stramm, the Dallas Cowboys have let the Atlanta Falcons know that they, the Falcons, can win this football game.
- 1:27:24Yeah, there's no question about that and it's going to be a tough second half really for both teams
- 1:27:30because there's a lot of fireworks remaining I'm sure.
- 1:27:34You know it's difficult on these kickoff returns and front returns invariably.
- 1:27:39You know anytime you see one come back why invariably there's going to be some kind of a penalty.
- 1:27:43As we mentioned it's very difficult, Jack, to block a moving target.
- 1:27:47Sometimes you think your head is in front of the person that you blocked.
- 1:27:51It winds up in the back of his body and as a result there's a clip on the play.
- 1:27:58Atlanta had good field position now they're back to the 14 yard line first and 10.
- 1:28:02Oh what a wild game this has been.
- 1:28:04There is only one punt in the first half and Dallas fumbled that one.
- 1:28:08Atlanta kicked only one time and Dallas hasn't punted at all.
- 1:28:13The ball is at the 14 yard line after the penalty mark off with a clip.
- 1:28:17Here's the give to the tailback, Bubba Bean, he gets a yard, that's all.
- 1:28:21And I'll say this for Bubba Bean, in the first 30 minutes he really gave Atlanta a lot of spark.
- 1:28:26That Jones attacker on the last play.
- 1:28:28Flag down on the play, I don't know what it was, but there was a flag down on that last play, Jack.
- 1:28:32I think a legal procedure on the part of Atlanta.
- 1:28:35Bubba Bean had gained only a yard so they talk it over with the Dallas defensive unit.
- 1:28:41They're going to mark it off further back.
- 1:28:43Yep, Gallupore is the referee.
- 1:28:48Did you glance at the statistics in the first half Hank?
- 1:28:52Aside from the lack of punting, what impresses you the most as the ball is now marked back to the Atlanta 7 yard line?
- 1:28:59Well actually it's pretty even.
- 1:29:00Atlanta has 11 first downs, Dallas has 13.
- 1:29:03Rushing yards, Atlanta 97, Dallas 81.
- 1:29:07Fasting yards, Atlanta 74, Dallas dominates that category, 129.
- 1:29:12Total net yardage, 171 to 210.
- 1:29:15Dallas has a little advantage in that category, but they're behind in the game.
- 1:29:19Here's the running play to Bubba Bean, and he has wrestled down for a loss of another yard.
- 1:29:24As the play started from the 7, he has tackled back on the 6 yard line.
- 1:29:30And the pressure is really on now by the Dallas Cowboys.
- 1:29:34And it is going to be second down, 18 for Atlanta from their own 6 yard line.
- 1:29:40He's got word, Jack, that Roger Stavos did receive a concussion and is not expected back in this game.
- 1:29:45Let me say this, even if he doesn't come back and Atlanta wins this game, his absence won't detract from the Atlanta victory.
- 1:29:51No, I don't think so. Not the way Hank's winning that first half.
- 1:29:55It's second down and 18 for Atlanta.
- 1:29:58Barkowski hands off to Bubba Bean again, moves across to 10 near the 11 yard line, but that's all.
- 1:30:03It's going to be third down and long.
- 1:30:07Third down and 12 for Atlanta coming up.
- 1:30:12Harvey Martin was in on that stop along with Randy White.
- 1:30:17Now they mark the ball back at the 10 yard line, so it's third down and 14.
- 1:30:23They present the news on the board to the fans here.
- 1:30:27Stavos has a concussion not expected back in this game.
- 1:30:32He was hurt when hit by the linebacker Pennywell.
- 1:30:36Let's see if Atlanta, leading by seven, will put the ball up in the air.
- 1:30:40Barkowski hands off to Sandback. He avoids one tackle.
- 1:30:43He gets to the 10, he gets to the 15, he's tackled and Atlanta will have to punt the ball.
- 1:30:48Another flag. Another flag goes down.
- 1:30:50And that might be against Dallas and give Atlanta a first down.
- 1:30:54I don't think so, Jack. No, it's the other way.
- 1:30:58And now Bubba Bean is slowing getting, Sandback is slowing getting up.
- 1:31:03He'll be fine to penalty, I'm sure, and make him fun.
- 1:31:09Atlanta players injured across the field.
- 1:31:13That's the running back, Haskell, Sandback.
- 1:31:16He's walking off the field under his, he's starting to walk off under his own power, but now he's being tended to.
- 1:31:23And here is a punt forthcoming by James, John James, only his second of the afternoon.
- 1:31:32And here's Johnson, will be back to get it.
- 1:31:35Dallas is trailing by seven, 20 to 13.
- 1:31:39Atlanta was not able to keep the ball for two minutes after receiving the kickoff, so they're going to kick.
- 1:31:50We'll find out what the approach is going to be for Atlanta once Danny White is a quarterback, too.
- 1:31:54I'm sure that we'll see, as I mentioned earlier, we'll see a lot more putzing than we saw in the first half.
- 1:31:59I would imagine, as you mentioned, Jack, early in the ballgame.
- 1:32:05Sandback comes to the sideline.
- 1:32:08It's going to be all right.
- 1:32:10Easy for me to say, right?
- 1:32:13And John James stands at the goal line.
- 1:32:15He'll need a good snap.
- 1:32:18Here comes from Paul Risick, the center.
- 1:32:24He'll get the kick away from about the five.
- 1:32:27Here's what Johnson waits at his own 45.
- 1:32:30The crowd is alive now.
- 1:32:33They sense elimination from the playoffs.
- 1:32:35The big rush is on.
- 1:32:37James gets the line drive, kicked away.
- 1:32:39Johnson takes it at the 43 and goes right to the 45 to midfield, and he's out of bounds.
- 1:32:45Downfield was doing the claim, the linebacker.
- 1:32:49And Dallas gets the ball at midfield.
- 1:32:52What a downer's have.
- 1:32:53Four bubbles in the first half, four bubbles, and they lost all four of them.
- 1:32:58Yes, that's right.
- 1:32:59They sure did.
- 1:33:01The crowd makes a thunderous ovation for their offensive unit.
- 1:33:0413.02 left in the third quarter with the score.
- 1:33:07Atlanta 20, Dallas 13, let's take them out.
- 1:33:11The Pittsburgh Steelers had something to prove Saturday, and they did it in record-shattering fashion.
- 1:33:17A year ago, the Denver Broncos overran the Steelers 34-21
- 1:33:21and went on to win the AFC title.
- 1:33:23But Saturday, the charged-up Steelers left no doubt as to which was the better team.
- 1:33:28Franco Harris, the forgotten superstar, and John Stalwart, Pittsburgh's other receiver,
- 1:33:34turned in record-breaking performances to carry the Steelers into next week's AFC title game
- 1:33:39with a 33-10 rout of the Broncos.
- 1:33:42Harris, a six-time 1,000-yard rusher who received little national recognition this season
- 1:33:47due to the heroics of Houston's Errol Campbell,
- 1:33:50set an NFL record of 12 career playoff touchdowns by scoring on runs of 1 and 18 yards.
- 1:33:57Stalwart, who plays in the shadow of all-pro teammate Lynn Swan,
- 1:34:00set a division playoff record with 10 receptions for 156 yards,
- 1:34:05including a 45-yard touchdown grab in the last period that put the game out of reach.
- 1:34:14Jack Buck and Hank Stram, will you?
- 1:34:16The Cowboys have the ball at the Atlanta 49-yard line.
- 1:34:19Atlanta leads 20-13.
- 1:34:21Drew Pearson comes to the left.
- 1:34:23The two tight ends are in there. Billy Joe Dupree and Jackie Smith.
- 1:34:27Laid law, and Tony Dorsett shifts out of the eye, and Danny White is the quarterback.
- 1:34:32They go back into the eye formation. Pearson goes in motion.
- 1:34:35Dorsett's to tailback.
- 1:34:37The give is to Dorsett. He comes back up the middle and got a yard, and that's all.
- 1:34:41Pennywell, the middle linebacker, fill the hole and knocks Dorsett down and out.
- 1:34:46Dorsett didn't do much in that first half, Hank.
- 1:34:49No, he got carried the ball six times in the 24 yards. Not very impressive.
- 1:34:52But the thing about a back like Dorsett, he can have a mediocre quarter or a half
- 1:34:57and all of a sudden blow the thing wide open because he's got such great speed
- 1:35:01and the ability to make the big play and break up the ball.
- 1:35:04Earlier today, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their game, eliminated Denver 33-10.
- 1:35:09Could it be that both Denver and Dallas will be eliminated on the same day?
- 1:35:14Here's second down and nine for Dallas, and White's back to throw.
- 1:35:17He's hit as he throws it long, underthrown, and intercepted by Rolland Lawrence.
- 1:35:22Lawrence has the ball at his own 14-yard line.
- 1:35:25A big rush primarily by Edgar Fields, the defensive end, and he blasted White as he threw
- 1:35:32and caused the ball to be underthrown and intercepted.
- 1:35:36So Atlanta gets the ball at their own 14, 12-16 remaining in the third quarter.
- 1:35:41A timeout on the field with a score, Atlanta 20, Dallas 13.
- 1:35:46This is going to be quite a challenge for the young quarterback,
- 1:35:51the four-year pro from Arizona State, Danny White, who is going to occupy the quarterback position
- 1:35:56for this Dallas team in the second half of this playoff game against Atlanta.
- 1:36:01As everybody knows, they're behind Dallas' 20-13 at this stage in the third quarter.
- 1:36:06That time he was back to throw a play-action pass, was hit as he threw the ball,
- 1:36:10did not have enough stuff on the ball.
- 1:36:12It was intercepted by Lawrence, and now the Atlanta Falcons have possession,
- 1:36:17first and 10 on the 14-yard line, exactly where they started their drive
- 1:36:21on the opening kickoff of the second half.
- 1:36:23They didn't succeed in making any yardage on that first drive.
- 1:36:27We're forced to punt.
- 1:36:28Now they start all over again on the 14-yard line in this particular situation.
- 1:36:33You know, one thing that's very surprising is that they've been splitting their tight end
- 1:36:36away from their slot formation, meaning that both outside receivers on the right side,
- 1:36:42but they haven't thrown the ball at all to Mitchell.
- 1:36:45We'll look for that to happen in the second half.
- 1:36:47Again, the Cowboys fans implore their defensive unit to get the job done.
- 1:36:56First down at Atlanta, they're on 14.
- 1:36:59And they send the running back Ricky Patton off on a wing.
- 1:37:02Here's Bubba Bean running right.
- 1:37:06Running right, he cuts back at the 15, gets out to the 17-yard line.
- 1:37:10He's down to the 18 and blasted by Randy White.
- 1:37:13Bubba Bean is piling up some yardage.
- 1:37:15The other running back at this time is the rookie out of Jackson State,
- 1:37:19Ricky Patton, filling in for Haskell's standback, who is along the sideline at the moment.
- 1:37:25Bubba Bean got four at second and sixth from the 19-yard line of the Atlanta Falcons.
- 1:37:31Bubba Bean is carrying the ball six times for 66 yards, Jack.
- 1:37:35Sixteen times for 66 yards.
- 1:37:38Second down and sixth.
- 1:37:41Wallace Francis off on a wing.
- 1:37:42Barskowski back to throw.
- 1:37:44Brooks throws it long down the sideline and it is incomplete.
- 1:37:49Almost intercepted.
- 1:37:51Charlie Waters had it and dropped it.
- 1:37:53He should have made that interception.
- 1:37:54That would have been a big play for Dallas, but he had an opportunity to make the big play,
- 1:37:58but he didn't succeed in getting it done.
- 1:38:01It will be third and sixth for Atlanta.
- 1:38:04Barskowski that time rolled to his right with the express purpose of throwing the ball back to the backside of the formation,
- 1:38:09hoping to get man-on-man coverage with a halfback on the linebacker,
- 1:38:13and he threw it there regardless of what the coverage was.
- 1:38:15He frequently does that day, Hank, one, twice, three times during the game.
- 1:38:18If he can't find that first one, he just unloads it, doesn't he?
- 1:38:21Yes, he does.
- 1:38:22Third down and sixth from their own 19 for the Falcons who lead by seven.
- 1:38:26Here's a draw play.
- 1:38:28No good for Atlanta.
- 1:38:29The tackle is a 20-yard line, as was Bubba Bean running into Harvey Martin.
- 1:38:34And the linebacker helping out on the play was Mike Hickman.
- 1:38:41No kicking time again.
- 1:38:44Interception by Danny White didn't hurt, except that Dallas lost some valuable time.
- 1:38:52James back to punt for the third time today and puts Johnson standing at his 40.
- 1:38:57James will touch it off at his 10-yard line.
- 1:39:01The snap by Ryzek.
- 1:39:07It is a good one. James steps into it and kicks it away.
- 1:39:10It's a good kick.
- 1:39:11Johnson waiting, takes it on the 38.
- 1:39:13He's to the 40. He's to the 45, 46. That's all.
- 1:39:17And the Cowboys go from their own 46-yard line.
- 1:39:20Some of the fans wanted a flag for a late hit, but there was none.
- 1:39:25But Dallas is back at their 46-yard line. Danny White is in again.
- 1:39:35He's had no scoring here in the first four minutes and 20 seconds of the third quarter.
- 1:39:41You know, the last time they had the ball, Jack, on the 49-yard line was the best field position they've had all throughout the ball game.
- 1:39:46Now they get another good opportunity on the 46, but they didn't generate any points from the last opportunity.
- 1:39:52Two tight ends for Dallas, Smith, and Dupree.
- 1:39:56White on first down, starts door set in motion.
- 1:39:59Tosses to Laidlaw running right, trying to get outside, gets a couple of yards, goes to midfield.
- 1:40:05He picked up four before he was stopped.
- 1:40:07Laidlaw finally stopped by Tom Pridemore.
- 1:40:10Laidlaw is a four-year veteran, five years now out of Stanford.
- 1:40:14Six-footer, 2-0-5. We haven't seen Robert Newhouse, although he is available to play.
- 1:40:20They might be saving him for the senior prom, but there may not be any prom this year for the Cowboys, hey?
- 1:40:25Yeah, that's exactly right. There might not be a dance.
- 1:40:29The ball's in midfield, and it's second down and five for the Cowboys.
- 1:40:34Laidlaw got five. Wilson, Baumelina checks in defensively, laying over center for Atlanta.
- 1:40:42The corners are still giving the outside receivers a lot of room of Atlanta.
- 1:40:47I'm surprised they haven't thrown more in front of the defensive backs.
- 1:40:50Laidlaw has tackled and no gain on the play.
- 1:40:53They tried the trap play, it didn't work.
- 1:40:55Kikendall, the outside linebacker, crashed in there, tackled Laidlaw right in his tracks,
- 1:41:00and it'll be third down and five for the Cowboys.
- 1:41:05Nine-thirty-five left in the third quarter.
- 1:41:07This game surprised you, Hank?
- 1:41:09Very definitely.
- 1:41:10Why?
- 1:41:11I really didn't think that the Atlanta team would be able to move the ball as impressively as they have against the Dallas defense, very frankly.
- 1:41:18Now, it's Danny White, quarterback. Staubach is injured and out.
- 1:41:22Third down and five. White straight back to throw, pops into the sideline, caught for a first down by Drew Pearson.
- 1:41:28In front of the cornerback, Rick Fias. Hank, you've been talking about that all afternoon.
- 1:41:32That's the second time they've tried it. They completed both passes that time for a big game,
- 1:41:36but I assure you, Jack, they can do that anytime they want to, and especially on first down.
- 1:41:40And now it's a first down at the 41-yard line of Atlanta.
- 1:41:43Let us pause five seconds for stations to identify themselves on the CBS radio network.
- 1:41:50This is the American Forces radio and television service.
- 1:41:59First down for Dallas at the Atlanta 41.
- 1:42:03They got 10 yards again over on this side, a thick cushion by the corner.
- 1:42:09And motion by Pearson, back to throw. White on first down.
- 1:42:12Funny of time, look, throws downfield. Tony Hill, broken up,
- 1:42:16incomplete in the end zone by Rolland Lawrence.
- 1:42:19He's done an exquisite job of covering Tony Hill, who's complaining to be a pitcher.
- 1:42:24Yeah, he really did a remarkable job of covering Tony Hill into the post area,
- 1:42:29but the guy he should have thrown the ball to was a tight end duple, who was wide open underneath coming across that he didn't see.
- 1:42:35And there again is a great illustration of a young quarterback making up his mind who he's going to throw the ball to,
- 1:42:40regardless of coverage. He had a shot downfield, but the guy that was open was Dupre,
- 1:42:46and they hit him two or three times in a game already on the same play for Big Dean.
- 1:42:51I'm talking about Dupre, but they forced fake that time to throw the ball down deep.
- 1:42:55Two tight ends. Smith and Dupre for Dallas.
- 1:43:00Dursons to the right. White rolls right back to throw. Chase, throws.
- 1:43:05Caught by Dupre at the 30-yard line to the 25, to the 20.
- 1:43:08Down to the 17-yard line in the center.
- 1:43:11And that called another play for you as Dupre was open.
- 1:43:14Tackled on the 12, 17-yard line of Atlanta for another first down.
- 1:43:20Chasing the quarterback, Danny White was the linebacker Dewey McClain.
- 1:43:24He blasted him just as he released the ball, and there was Dupre all along.
- 1:43:28Yes, he blocks down and then comes right across shallow.
- 1:43:32That's Brezina is glitzing so much from the weak linebacker position,
- 1:43:35but there's nobody there if the tight end gets into that area.
- 1:43:38As Brezina vacates the spot, he's wide open. He was on that play first and then Dallas.
- 1:43:44Dursons to the right. Tony Hill comes left.
- 1:43:49For the Dallas Cowboys, a first down at the 17. Dorsett goes in motion.
- 1:43:54Rolling right is White. Stop. Lost throws back screen the other way.
- 1:43:58This one's going to go.
- 1:44:00Late law has it at the 15, to the 10, to the 5, to the 2-yard line.
- 1:44:04A first down for Dupre.
- 1:44:07What an execution by Danny White.
- 1:44:16Beautiful roll-out. He acted to play out extremely well.
- 1:44:20He rolled to his right, threw way back across to late law, who was wide open,
- 1:44:24screened to him, and he almost took it in for the touchdown.
- 1:44:27The ball is on the 2-yard line. First and goal on the 2 going in for Dallas.
- 1:44:32The saving tackle made by Kaikindall and Pennywell.
- 1:44:35The linebackers first and goal, Dallas. They trail by 7.
- 1:44:38They're on the 2-yard line of Atlanta.
- 1:44:41They're in the high formation with late law and Dorsett.
- 1:44:44They shift now and just flip back.
- 1:44:47And on first and goal with Pearson in motion.
- 1:44:50They like the trap here.
- 1:44:52Here is White, rolling with the ball, looking, looking, looking, running.
- 1:44:55Close the ball. Touchdown to Jackie Smith.
- 1:44:58A 2-yard touchdown pass to Jackie Smith.
- 1:45:01His first touchdown of the year for the Dallas Cowboys, who could now tie it up.
- 1:45:08White was really cool.
- 1:45:11White's got a lot of poise for a young quarterback who hasn't really played very much.
- 1:45:15White is 6-9 with one interception for 73 yards in the touchdown.
- 1:45:20Looks very poised, very confident in not operating this vulnerable attack on Dallas extremely well.
- 1:45:26Today was the first day that Jackie Smith caught any passes for Dallas.
- 1:45:30And he has just caught his first touchdown pass.
- 1:45:33If Seth Jahn kicks him through, we'll have a funny, funny game.
- 1:45:39We do.
- 1:45:417-0-7 remaining in the third quarter.
- 1:45:46And now with a score, Dallas 20 and Atlanta 20, let's take time out.
- 1:45:51Woody Hayes, whose temper tantrums often brought him and Ohio State University unfavorable publicity,
- 1:45:59has finally been adjudged by his superiors to have gone too far.
- 1:46:03When he punched Charlie Bauman, a Clemson sophomore nose guard who had just intercepted a pass
- 1:46:08to clinch a 17-15 victory over Ohio State in the Gator Bowl,
- 1:46:12Hayes abruptly brought about the end of his 28-year career at the school.
- 1:46:17Hayes, the fourth winningest coach in college football history, was fired Saturday.
- 1:46:22Sources close to the program at Ohio State say that Arkansas coach Lou Holes,
- 1:46:26the one-time former Hayes assistant, will be named to succeed his 65-year-old former mentor.
- 1:46:32There is speculation that Hayes would have been fired win or lose after the game,
- 1:46:36and that the incident merely caused the university to speed the announcement.
- 1:46:40But there was no doubt that the run-in with Bauman, caught on national television,
- 1:46:44epitomized an aspect of Hayes' career at Ohio State, during which he compiled a record of 238 wins, 72 losses, and 10 ties.
- 1:46:53I've heard that expression a whole new ball game.
- 1:46:56That's what we have here in Texas Stadium, 20-20, 7-0-7 left in the third quarter.
- 1:47:01At the end, kicking it off, Tom Pridebor and George Franklin's flank, Dennis Pearson,
- 1:47:08who is standing at the 5-yard line.
- 1:47:1320-20.
- 1:47:14Field position plays a very prominent role in every game.
- 1:47:17The Atlanta team in the second half started on the 14th both times.
- 1:47:21Dallas on the other half started on the plus 49 and their own 46.
- 1:47:26Big difference in field position.
- 1:47:27Here's a line drive kick and it's taken by Pridebor on the 11, he's to the 25, he's to the 30, to the 35.
- 1:47:33Thompson down at the 40-yard line.
- 1:47:36A big kick returned by George Franklin.
- 1:47:38Now a flag goes down as 50 cups break out.
- 1:47:43A flag is down and something will happen.
- 1:47:45Meanwhile, George Franklin was under a big head of steam and ran it out to the 40-yard line.
- 1:47:50Edgar Fields got involved then with Robert Steele, a wide receiver for Dallas.
- 1:47:58And a penalty against Dallas coming up.
- 1:48:06Franklin was impressive with that run, wasn't he?
- 1:48:08Yes, he was.
- 1:48:09He made a decision and really took off on a straight line for the opposite side of the field.
- 1:48:14Personal foul on the 30-round, that's 82 and defense the first down.
- 1:48:20And now a personal foul moves the ball to the Dallas 45-yard line.
- 1:48:24I didn't see the extracurricular activity, did you?
- 1:48:27No, I didn't, Jack, I really didn't.
- 1:48:29I was watching something else at the time, didn't see the 50 cups.
- 1:48:35First down for Atlanta.
- 1:48:36We're tied here.
- 1:48:38Atlanta hasn't made many mistakes.
- 1:48:40They've played an outstanding football game.
- 1:48:43They've been a throwback.
- 1:48:44Kowski Russ hits fast back to the 45-yard line for a loss of 10 by Ed Jones.
- 1:48:51He came like a house of fire and he really blasted the quarterback.
- 1:48:55Phil McKinley, the right tackle of the Atlanta team, just did not block Tuto Jones and it's a big pack for the Dallas Cowboys.
- 1:49:06Bryant was the offensive tackle.
- 1:49:09Warren Bryant for Atlanta, he was injured with a knee.
- 1:49:11Phil McKinley replaced him and couldn't handle Ed Jones that time.
- 1:49:15A nine-yard loss back at the 46th of Atlanta.
- 1:49:20Second down and 19.
- 1:49:22They'll run the ball here, probably, Jack, if you're going to sweep, let's see what they do.
- 1:49:28On the second down play, with Dan back in there, Kowski back to throw, looks, throws, wobbly pass.
- 1:49:34Incomplete, incomplete.
- 1:49:36Off the hands of the intended receiver, Alfred Jackson, who probably should have caught the ball.
- 1:49:41It was a wobbly pass, however.
- 1:49:42Yeah, well, the nice thing about that, he could have caught it either end there, Jack.
- 1:49:45He was going in a very wobbly fashion, but he had possession, or should have had possession.
- 1:49:49It was a well-enough throw for him to catch the football.
- 1:49:52George Franklin checks into the backfield.
- 1:49:54Standback is out now.
- 1:49:55They put in the three wide receivers.
- 1:49:57They are Wallace Francis, Alfred Jackson, and Billy Rickman for Atlanta.
- 1:50:02They have third and 19, back at their 46th with the score tied 20-20.
- 1:50:066-23 remaining in the third quarter.
- 1:50:08Atlanta going from our left to our right.
- 1:50:10Quick snap, the gift to the running back, Franklin trying to get outside, gets to midfield, and it's back.
- 1:50:16It'll be kicking time for Atlanta.
- 1:50:18Randy White chased the play, caught him, and with the help of Cliff Harris, made the tackle on the Dallas 47.
- 1:50:26But this touch by John James to put Dallas way back.
- 1:50:29Close to the ground.
- 1:50:32James will punt the ball.
- 1:50:41He's been busy lately.
- 1:50:47Paul Isaac gives the snap man.
- 1:50:50If he kicks the ball to his left, that's where he should try to kick it.
- 1:50:54Let's see what he does.
- 1:50:56Having difficulty setting against the rush of Dallas.
- 1:51:00But James kicks it away.
- 1:51:01It's a dandy affair.
- 1:51:02Cash is called for.
- 1:51:04It bounces into the end zone.
- 1:51:06It'll be a touchback, and Dallas will go from their 20-yard line.
- 1:51:09And James didn't do with the ball what he desired.
- 1:51:12No, he didn't.
- 1:51:13He looked like he was stepping to his left to kick the ball left, but he didn't kick it there at all.
- 1:51:17He kicked it kind of down the middle, and got it in the end zone.
- 1:51:215-24 left in the third quarter.
- 1:51:23There's a pause in the action with a score.
- 1:51:26Cowboys 20, Falcons 20.
- 1:51:28Let's take time out.
- 1:51:31Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer says he couldn't believe it when he was told his sooners are more than a touchdown favorite in the Orange Bowl game in Nebraska.
- 1:51:38He says, you've got to be kidding me.
- 1:51:40How could we be favored in the ball game when Nebraska already beat us in Lincoln?
- 1:51:44Cornhusker coach Tom Osborne was predictably a little bit more low-key about it.
- 1:51:49He says the people who make the odds make their living at it, so you have to respect their judgment somewhat.
- 1:51:54He says, but I hope they're wrong this time.
- 1:51:56Despite Nebraska's 17-14 win November 11, the Cornhuskers rate no higher than 6 to Oklahoma's number 4 in the rankings, and the Sooners have it installed as a heavy favorite.
- 1:52:06Switzer said final examinations cut deeply into the Sooners' practice time at Norman, and the rain kept them from making it up after they arrived in Miami.
- 1:52:14Osborne was more pleased with the way his Cornhuskers had practiced.
- 1:52:18He said they felt they had fairly good preparation, although they were rained on.
- 1:52:22Osborne says the main thing that remains now is to go out there and play that football game.
- 1:52:27We might go out and play a heck of a game, and then again, we might not.
- 1:52:31Roger Staubbach has been injured in this game. He suffered a concussion. He'll not return.
- 1:52:36Danny White, who engineered the last touchdown drive to tie the game, is at the controls for the Cowboys at their own 20-yard line.
- 1:52:43With Lake Law and Dorsett in the backfield, Dorsett running right, dips inside, cuts across the 25-yard line, spins to the 26-27, and he got seven yards on the play.
- 1:52:53Tom Pridemore finally finished him off.
- 1:53:01Coming up on the five-minute mark remaining in the third quarter.
- 1:53:04We'll have two games for you tomorrow, again, on CBS Radio at 12.50 Eastern Time, Houston at New England, 4.50 Eastern Time, Minnesota at Los Angeles.
- 1:53:14Both games here on CBS Radio.
- 1:53:17Second and four Dallas. More like three and a half.
- 1:53:22They shift out of the eye. Two tight ends in there, Dupree and Smith.
- 1:53:26Now they go back into the eye formation.
- 1:53:29And they just did get the playoff in time. Here's Dorsett's first down out near the 35-yard line, and he ran with a real third set time.
- 1:53:38He had on his blue shirt suit, didn't he?
- 1:53:40Yes, he did, and he didn't get any lint on it that time either because he moved too fast to acquire any of it.
- 1:53:45Tom Rafferty, John Fitzgerald, and Rayfield Wright, all of whom did a great job of blowing people off the ball and providing him, Dorsett, with the opportunity to get the first down.
- 1:53:56And by the way, on that last play, Dallas snapped the ball with only one second left on the 32nd block.
- 1:54:02And I know they didn't want to play it that close. They're at their own 35.
- 1:54:06And they still have plenty of room in front of those corners to throw the ball on first down.
- 1:54:10They've only done it twice and succeeded both times, but I'm surprised they don't do it tomorrow.
- 1:54:14Out of the eye with only one second left again, they snap the ball and White throws it outside, caught by Hill.
- 1:54:19He gets to midfield, cuts into the 45, 44-yard line of his letter, and Hanks Chan called another on first down.
- 1:54:27The little square out in front of the cornerback.
- 1:54:30Tykendall caught up to the play after the pass had been caught by Hill in front of Rick Byers for another Dallas first down.
- 1:54:37Yeah, that really aggravates the devil out of the defense too because even though you're blitzed, you get rid of the ball so quickly that you can't do much about it like throwing a piece of popcorn into the deep offensive line of the Dallas double.
- 1:54:48Were they blitzing that time?
- 1:54:50No, they weren't that time, but I say in the event that they were blitzing, why, it doesn't make any difference because you get rid of the ball so quickly.
- 1:54:55The ball at the 43 of Atlanta. Pearson goes to the right and Tony Hill comes left.
- 1:55:00The tight end is Dupree. He's on the right side.
- 1:55:04They ought to do it again. It's the same situation, Jack. They've got all the room in the world.
- 1:55:08Here's White back to throw again.
- 1:55:10He throws it along. Tony Hill all alone and can't get it. Cannot get it at the five yard line. Tony Hill had run away from Rick Byers and Danny White missed him.
- 1:55:20He was wide open and so was Dupree again on the same pattern underneath. It would be interesting to see if they come back and hit Dupree because he's a very high percentage pass.
- 1:55:28He's wide open. There wasn't anybody around him. He gets the ball to him. He let him run, although he chose the right guy at that time because Hill was wide open. It was a chance for a home run. He just threw the ball too far out the front.
- 1:55:38He was about five yards out in front of the speedy Tony Hill. I mean he can fly. Now second down and ten.
- 1:55:45The tight end has been open throughout the game on that particular play and they've hit him three times.
- 1:55:52Dupree's on the left side. It's second down and ten. Split back. White back to throw. Pops it out. It's caught by Dupree. The tight end. He pummels the ball and it goes out of bounds. It belongs to Dallas and there was a game of six yards on the play.
- 1:56:06He pummelled the ball and it was knocked out of bounds. That by Brazina who tried to recover the bumball.
- 1:56:12Thank you. Right on with the call. As you see the thing happening, I'm not detracting from your ability to do that, but it must be very obvious to you.
- 1:56:20Well, it's just, you know, the way they're covering, you have to understand coverage, Jack, and see how they're playing to understand where they should throw the ball.
- 1:56:27A lot of times, you know, even though it's clear they don't throw the ball to that particular individual, but the way it turned out, why they hit the right people the last two times.
- 1:56:35Now it's third and three and they're in the eye. They shift out. All they have to do is throw a square out pattern again here.
- 1:56:41And on third down, White back to throw a square out. Caught by Hill at the 30 yard line. First down. He's out of bounds.
- 1:56:48Not out of bounds. The clock continues to run with 2.35 remaining in the third quarter, but a Dallas first down at the Atlanta 30 yard line and they're killing Rick Byas, the cornerback.
- 1:56:59And he's got a tough score. How come he doesn't have any help over there? Well, it's a one on one situation. He can't get any help on a quick square out like that.
- 1:57:07The only thing he can do is play him much tighter and then he's vulnerable for the deep batter. And the linebacker never falls off to help. He's always going the other way.
- 1:57:14Well, by the time he gets there, it's over because it's a very quick pattern. He goes down six yards and breaks for the sideline and it's open.
- 1:57:20Anytime you want to throw it, they're finding he sees that that's what the situation is and have done a good job there.
- 1:57:26And he goes Dorsett running right. He gets about two or three yards before his pushback by Edgar Fields and Jim Bailey, primarily Bailey, the left tackle of Atlanta.
- 1:57:36Couldn't be taken off his feet. And he made the first hit on Dorsett after a gain of a yard and a half. We'll call it two to the Atlanta 28.
- 1:57:45One forty remaining in the third quarter score tied twenty twenty some football game which will find one of these teams, Atlanta or Dallas, eliminated when the final gun sounds.
- 1:57:57I've had a hunch early on in this game, Ang. We're headed for an overtime game.
- 1:58:02I haven't had that feeling at all, Jack. Never gave it a thought that you're right. It might happen.
- 1:58:07Here's second down and eight for White. He's been chewing them up through the air.
- 1:58:12And the great rush, the blitz is on. White has hit, throws the ball, caught by Dorsett.
- 1:58:18It's a 35 to the 30, to the 20 and down to the 15-yard line with the play with Whistle dead.
- 1:58:25Back at the 40-yard line and it's a sack. It's a sack of Danny White.
- 1:58:30As the referee, Calipore, was simply protecting White, blew the whistle, blew the play dead.
- 1:58:36Then tossed it off to Dorsett. He's up for it, comes to come and carry it to the 15-yard line, but the play was Whistle dead and it's third down and twenty for Dallas.
- 1:58:45Edgar Fields that time did a good job of providing the rush and putting the pressure on Danny White, number 77.
- 1:58:52The referee was just trying to protect him, Hank.
- 1:58:55That's all he did. That's exactly right.
- 1:58:58Actually, I think there was Cookendall who made the play. Blitz, a linebacker who blitzed on the play.
- 1:59:03Fields was coming from the outside, but Cookendall was the one who made the tackle on Danny White.
- 1:59:10Now it's third down and twenty. Dallas has to get to the 19 of Atlanta for a first down less than a minute, remaining in the third quarter.
- 1:59:18This scores by 20 all and they'll be coming after Danny White this time. He's in the shotgun formation.
- 1:59:24And on third down, he's back to throw. Everybody's coming after him.
- 1:59:28He hears it out long down field and incomplete inside the five to Tony Hill.
- 1:59:33Tony Hill just couldn't get there on the...
- 1:59:37He had him open again that time, had he thrown the ball properly and on the money it would have been a touchdown, but he overthrew him.
- 1:59:45And here again he was intimidated a little bit by the fact that he knew the blitz was coming and got rid of the ball a little bit quicker than he had to.
- 1:59:51Forty seconds left in the third quarter. White will kick from about midfield.
- 1:59:56And Rickman is back to receive it.
- 2:00:01Billy Rickman standing on his ten.
- 2:00:06He's averaged eight point two per punt return. He'll be handling the ball in dangerous territory if White kicks it to him.
- 2:00:14There's the snap. There's the kick by White. Bounces at the three and goes into the end zone for a touchback. It's a touchback.
- 2:00:25The ball bounced out to the field of play and the fans react because they don't know the rules.
- 2:00:29The ball went into the end zone and therefore it is a touchback.
- 2:00:33The only thing that could happen after that would be for the receiving team to get it and run it out of there, but it is a touchback.
- 2:00:39You know, Atlanta really has had the big advantage as far as field position is concerned.
- 2:00:45On five different occasions they had the ball on the plus 25, plus 40, plus 30, minus 45, plus 45.
- 2:00:53Dallas on the other hand has only had field position twice, plus 49, minus 46.
- 2:00:59Twenty-nine seconds left in the third quarter as Bartowski starts from his own twenty.
- 2:01:05A blitz is on and Sandback gets outside. He's to the 30. And he is out of bounds.
- 2:01:10They beat the blitz by running outside that time. And Charlie Waters finally got to him.
- 2:01:15Yes, it was a safety blitz with Cliff Harris coming on the play. And they called the right play that time.
- 2:01:22They guessed right. They ran outside and there was nobody there to pursue from the inside out.
- 2:01:26He made a big gain in the play.
- 2:01:28Fourteen yards, the first down to the Atlanta 34.
- 2:01:31The wide receiver, Alfred Jackson, is out. Mitchell the tight end. I don't think he's caught a ball all day. He's quick left.
- 2:01:40Look how much room he's got over there. He's wide open over there. They haven't thrown a ball to him yet.
- 2:01:44Bartowski back to throw. He looks. He throws it over the middle and it is intercepted by Dallas.
- 2:01:50They come back the other way. Aaron Kyle has it at the 45. He is down to the 40 of Atlanta.
- 2:01:56Aaron Kyle had it go off the hands of his teammate Charlie Waters.
- 2:02:01And Kyle intercepted with twelve seconds left in the quarter.
- 2:02:06They went ahead of the game with three interceptions. That makes it number four.
- 2:02:10Applied down the penalty against Atlanta. It's defined. Dallas keeps the ball.
- 2:02:15And they have it at the 39 yard line and an Atlanta player is into it across the field.
- 2:02:20Now they put it at the 40 yard line of Atlanta with twelve seconds left in the half.
- 2:02:26What about that pass pattern and throw, Hank?
- 2:02:30Well that time he threw the ball poorly, very obviously, Jack.
- 2:02:36And a very alert play by Aaron Kyle who got to ricochet ball and made the interception.
- 2:02:43He went in the game with three. Now he has four interceptions.
- 2:02:47Benny Barnes has five. Kyle has three. Waters has four.
- 2:02:51And Cliff Harris has four. Very good balance on the part of interception on the part of the Dallas Cowboys' secondary.
- 2:02:57Yeah, they picked off 23 during the regular season. Recovered 13 bubbles at 58 sacks.
- 2:03:03They're formidable upon them, but Atlanta has moved the ball against them.
- 2:03:07That has led a couple of times here. Dallas has been ahead. We're tied 20-20. Twelve seconds left in the quarter.
- 2:03:13After punting a moment ago, Dallas gets it back on the interception.
- 2:03:17They throw the ball on first down here, Jack.
- 2:03:20Danny White at quarterback. Hands off on an end-around play to the tight end of three.
- 2:03:25Breaks the tackle at the 30. Down to the 25. Down near the 20 yard line.
- 2:03:30Beautiful deception on the play.
- 2:03:33It was the defensive end. Edgar Fields who finally stopped Dupree on the play that marks the end of the third quarter.
- 2:03:41When we resume with 15 minutes left to play, Dallas will add the ball first down at the Atlanta 20 yard line.
- 2:03:48The end of the first of the third quarter with the score Dallas 20, Atlanta 20.
- 2:03:55The Los Angeles Rams were favored by 9.5 points to beat the Minnesota Vikings in their first NFL playoff game last season.
- 2:04:04It rained in Los Angeles and the Vikings won in the mud 14-7.
- 2:04:08Los Angeles has been made a little more than a touchdown choice against the Vikings in their first playoff game Sunday.
- 2:04:14And it's not supposed to rain in Los Angeles on Sunday.
- 2:04:18According to Rams owner, Carol Rosenblum, he checked with a weatherman and the weatherman says it's supposed to be a beautiful sunny day.
- 2:04:24But Rosenblum goes on to say, I don't think the weather will have any effect on the outcome of Sunday's game.
- 2:04:30The Rams coaches and players have been talking that way all week, but the feeling persists that the Vikings who won the NSC Central title with a mediocre 8-7-1 record
- 2:04:39have something extra going for them against the Rams in the playoffs.
- 2:04:43And that fact is that they are 4-0 against Los Angeles in playoff games.
- 2:04:48Last season's playoff shocker cost Coach Chuck Knox his job.
- 2:04:52He wasn't officially fired, but the displeasure was evident.
- 2:04:56Dallas Cowboys have won six games in a row.
- 2:05:00They're involved in a humdinger here in Texas.
- 2:05:04They're dominating the stats so far in total offense, Jack, right now.
- 2:05:08Dallas 332, totally arc. Atlanta 141.
- 2:05:12Did you get the impression that Atlanta has sat on the ball when they've had it here, or did they try to move it in the third quarter?
- 2:05:19Well, you know, they're a very, very unusual team. They're very conservative when they're even or ahead.
- 2:05:27Once they get behind, they change personalities completely. They're like the Hulks.
- 2:05:31Once they have to get something done when they're behind, but it's hard to understand why they don't execute that kind of aggressive attitude when the game is even or when they're ahead.
- 2:05:41How do you assess the work of Danny White filling in for Staubach here?
- 2:05:45The facts are facts. He's 9 of 14 with one interception, one touchdown for 109 yards. Very impressive.
- 2:05:53And he has the first down at the Atlanta 20-yard line.
- 2:05:57Pearson goes to the left. The two tight ends, Dupree and Smith, are in there.
- 2:06:01Laid low on Dorsetta, the running back.
- 2:06:03And on first down, they shift into the I-formation.
- 2:06:07And White gives to Dorsett, comes back up the middle, goes outside, spins, goes to the 15.
- 2:06:13And about the 13-yard line goes Tony Dorsett. He picked up about seven yards with a slashing brilliant run.
- 2:06:20And they say he went out of bounds at the 15, giving him a five-yard gain.
- 2:06:24He fumbled a ball and Scott Laidlaw was very alert and scooped the ball up because he was rolling around loosely that time and would have been recovered by Atlanta had Laidlaw not recovered that fumble.
- 2:06:37The Cowboys are at the 15-yard line.
- 2:06:41And Dorsetta picked up seven and fumbled it back a couple of yards.
- 2:06:45And Laidlaw, trailing on the play, took it out of bounds at the 15-yard line.
- 2:06:51Now Hill goes left and Pearson is right.
- 2:06:53The second and five for Dallas, tied with the latter here, 20-20.
- 2:06:57And Laidlaw tries to find running room. Got only a yard.
- 2:07:01He was hit right at the line of scrimmage by Jeff Murrow.
- 2:07:05N-E-double-R-O-W, the defensive end, along with Keikin-Dahl, the linebacker, Laidlaw going only a yard.
- 2:07:12They shuttle in the plays with the guards, as they call the plays from the Dallas bench.
- 2:07:20The ball's to the 14. And it's third down and four. Here's a key play.
- 2:07:26May cause them to settle for three rather than get the touchdown if Atlanta's able to stop them here.
- 2:07:33The square out is still there, Jack. They did it the last time they had a short yardage situation.
- 2:07:37White's back to throw. He looks, he throws, and it is intercepted at the one-yard line by Atlanta.
- 2:07:45So Dallas comes away empty as the ball is intercepted by Frank Reed.
- 2:07:52Now they say no. One of the other officials has overruled it and said the ball hit the deck.
- 2:07:58Reed made a diving catch after a deflection and it is fourth down.
- 2:08:03For Dallas, they still have the ball. Reed is in an uproar.
- 2:08:07As is Helmidoff cleaning up the officials who overruled him.
- 2:08:11Rosina is trying to keep Frank Reed from being penalized.
- 2:08:16How'd it look to you, Coach?
- 2:08:18I very honestly thought he made the intercept.
- 2:08:20I did, too.
- 2:08:23Reed is complaining that he had caught it at the one-yard line.
- 2:08:27And now the ball will be held by Waters at the 22, a 32-yard field goal attempt by Septien,
- 2:08:34trying to put Dallas back out in front.
- 2:08:37Waters gets it down. Septien kicks it off to the right, no good.
- 2:08:41And they do come away empty, the Cowboys do.
- 2:08:45A 32-yard miss by Septien and the Atlanta Club gets the ball, still tied.
- 2:08:5114-0-3 remaining in the game.
- 2:08:55Atlanta's ball first down at their own 20 with a score.
- 2:08:59Dallas 20, Atlanta 20, let's take time out.
- 2:09:03Well, a tough call by the officials on that, but replay on CBS indicates that that ball was indeed trapped.
- 2:09:11You know, it's so easy for me to sit here at AFRTS in Washington, or the guys up in the press box.
- 2:09:17You know, there's an old saying, but it's very true, and that's this, no one ever blows a call up in the press box.
- 2:09:22That call was not blown, it was a very good call, but again, Fritz Graff, the official making that call,
- 2:09:30this is his 19th year in the National Football League, one of the senior officials in the National Football League.
- 2:09:37Pretty tough call, but with six officials this year, that's one of the advantages.
- 2:09:42You get a lot of different angles on a particular call, but Graff did one thing that sometimes is good at doing, sometimes it's not.
- 2:09:49He checked with his fellow officials, and the idea there, of course, is to get the call right,
- 2:09:53but of course, sometimes when you do that, you let people think that you might be in a little bit of doubt of your call,
- 2:09:59but he called it, and he called it right, at least according to a look on the replay.
- 2:10:04Instead of being given the interception of their own one, Atlanta makes out the better board after the missed field goal,
- 2:10:12they're at their 20-yard line.
- 2:10:15Kachowski ends off to his running back, and here comes Standback out for about 10 yards over the left side, near the 30-yard line.
- 2:10:23Bubba Bean, the little guy, the little back, threw a block and helped clear the way,
- 2:10:29along with the offensive tackle Phil McKinley, who pulled and was out there leading the appearance,
- 2:10:36along with Mike Kent, the other tackle, and a gain of nine by Haskell Standback, injured earlier, back in there now.
- 2:10:43And has only made one first down so far in the second half, Jack.
- 2:10:46They're just about to get another one, it would appear, second and one from their own 29.
- 2:10:52And oh, they didn't make it that time. It was Randy White running into Bubba Bean.
- 2:11:00Standback again, getting him in an upright position and then just stopping him right in his tracks.
- 2:11:06Bob Rooney, the middle linebacker, was also involved in that play along with Dee Dee Lewis, the right linebacker.
- 2:11:13So it is third and one from their 29.
- 2:11:18And they put in the two tight ends. Jim Wright, the rookie from Texas Christian, is in there.
- 2:11:27Larry Cole, Larry Bethe, checking for Dallas.
- 2:11:32Third down and one from their own 29 for Atlanta with a key play. 12.43 left.
- 2:11:37Here's Standback, and he's a baker to him and a sack of Barskowski back in the 20-yard line.
- 2:11:44Randy White again on Larry Cole, primarily.
- 2:11:48Kicking time for Atlanta.
- 2:11:53A sack by Dallas. They've gotten him a few times. That's the fifth time they have sacked Barskowski.
- 2:11:59Play action fast that time, and he had Francis breaking open downfield, but he just couldn't get the ball to him because of the rush.
- 2:12:07And now we have John James standing at his five about to punt the ball to put Johnson, who is at his own 40.
- 2:12:16Funny time in this game. A lot of things will happen before the curtain comes down.
- 2:12:22Dallas has done a real good job of confusing the blocking responsibilities on kick situations with all the jumping around they're doing.
- 2:12:29They have 10 men at the line of scrimmage. There is a snap. The rush. They don't get it, but it's a bad kick by James.
- 2:12:35And it bounces out of bounds at the 30-yard line of Atlanta.
- 2:12:42James with his hands on his hips. Comes off the field thoroughly disgusted with that kick.
- 2:12:50Greg Brazina got into a little break-up along the sideline with Bruce Hother, the linebacker.
- 2:12:5512-0-1 left in the game. I don't know if there will be any yardage marked off here.
- 2:13:02But a terrible punt by John James.
- 2:13:06He shanks that one, and it went out of bounds at the Atlanta, well, they mark it at the 20-yard line of Atlanta.
- 2:13:18The
- 2:13:19Buckeyes are about to make a 4-yard mistake. That's a 30-yard line of Atlanta.
- 2:13:24How long was that punt?
- 2:13:2610 yards.
- 2:13:29I saw Bobby A's make one like that at the Pro Bowl game, Hank. They didn't have any kickers, and A's kicked one about 9 yards.
- 2:13:37A 10-yard punt gives Dallas a scoring chance from the Atlanta 30.
- 2:13:44Looks like they're going to run left.
- 2:13:46With Dorset and Laidlaw in the backfield, and Pearson in motion, they come the other way with Dorset.
- 2:13:51Behind the block of Laidlaw, he cuts it back down near the 20-yard line.
- 2:13:55Looks like he's got a first down.
- 2:13:57And now a flag goes down. Who's doing what to whom down there?
- 2:14:01As hefers flair, another flag is down.
- 2:14:06Laidlaw got a good block, and Dorset cut it back.
- 2:14:10And now it's against Atlanta. The flag has been thrown.
- 2:14:16Dallas was penalized a moment ago.
- 2:14:20Brazina was into it again downfield.
- 2:14:24And the ball is marked to the 10.
- 2:14:32A personal foul on this area of the 59th defense first down.
- 2:14:40Number 59, Pennywell.
- 2:14:43The middle linebacker was caught on a personal foul. Did you see what he did, Hank?
- 2:14:47No, I sure didn't.
- 2:14:49But they've been throwing late elbows and everything.
- 2:14:54And his first and goal is a 10-yard line for Dallas with a score tied 20 all.
- 2:14:5951 remaining in the game.
- 2:15:03And on first down, there was movement by the tight end Dupree.
- 2:15:07The pass is thrown, caught by Laidlaw.
- 2:15:10He's out of bounds, but I'm almost certain that this penalty will be against
- 2:15:15Dallas and Billy Joe Dupree, who beat the snapcops.
- 2:15:19In which case, it would make a first and goal from the 15-yard line.
- 2:15:24Left 45 left in the game, score tied 20-20.
- 2:15:32The Dallas fans won't boo this decision because they all saw it.
- 2:15:38Yeah, it was really obvious Dupree jumped offside prematurely and they get a set 5-yard.
- 2:15:44But there's a listen to the foul from Dallas.
- 2:15:47Offside 89, offense first down.
- 2:15:51The offside call against Dallas makes it first and goal from the 15-yard line.
- 2:15:56You know, Atlanta's third in the National Football League in penalties,
- 2:15:59and today they already have six penalties for 66 yards.
- 2:16:05On first and long, Danny White at quarterback.
- 2:16:09With Pearson on the right side.
- 2:16:12Hands the ball off in the running play.
- 2:16:14And going down inside the 10-to-the-5, down to the one-yard line goes Scott Laidlaw.
- 2:16:22Rolland Lawrence came up and got him.
- 2:16:25Tremendous a touchdown, but the ball is right at the goal line.
- 2:16:30And this will be second down, and Atlanta players are strewn all over the field,
- 2:16:34two of them shaking up.
- 2:16:37God Laidlaw's had a fine running day, he's piled up some yardage as has Bubba Bean of Atlanta.
- 2:16:44That was a trap play with Herbert Scott, their left guard trapping.
- 2:16:48He wanted to really trap Mike Lewis, but Mike Lewis came inside very tough.
- 2:16:53He jumped on the outside of Lewis and popped into the scoring area,
- 2:16:57just about a yard short of the goal line.
- 2:16:59A big personnel loss as Rolland Lawrence comes limping off the field, Hank.
- 2:17:03He's injured him.
- 2:17:08Rolland Lawrence, the cornerback, is injured.
- 2:17:12And he's on the sideline.
- 2:17:14You know what I can't see, Hank?
- 2:17:17It's second down, and I don't know if it's second and goal.
- 2:17:21Is that forward marker right on the goal line or not?
- 2:17:25I think, could they get a first down?
- 2:17:27Yes, I think they could.
- 2:17:28Without getting a touchdown?
- 2:17:29Yes.
- 2:17:31So it's second down and inches.
- 2:17:32They could get a first down without getting a touchdown.
- 2:17:35Dallas could.
- 2:17:3611-28 remaining in the game.
- 2:17:41Danny White filling in for the injured.
- 2:17:43Rodgers, stop box, trying to put his club on top again.
- 2:17:46The two tight ends are Smith on the right side, Dupree on the left side.
- 2:17:50They're in the high formation.
- 2:17:52Split backs now.
- 2:17:53Laidlaw on door set.
- 2:17:56On the second down, Danny White gives it to Laidlaw.
- 2:18:00To the goal line and did not get in.
- 2:18:03Did not get in.
- 2:18:07Now they'll measure and see if it is a first down, which it would appear to be.
- 2:18:12That was another trap that time.
- 2:18:17Well, the old personal foul, the flag thrown against Atlanta a moment ago,
- 2:18:21had a lot to do with it.
- 2:18:23Dallas drive, 11-01 remaining in the game.
- 2:18:31They're going to measure.
- 2:18:33Ball right on the goal, right at the goal line.
- 2:18:37And if it indeed is a first down, it'll be a first down and about two inches to go.
- 2:18:42It is a first down for Dallas.
- 2:18:48Two inches away.
- 2:18:52I mean just two inches away.
- 2:18:54They take out the wide receiver, Drew Kersen.
- 2:18:56They keep the two tight ends in there.
- 2:18:59Smith and Dupree.
- 2:19:0110-55 remaining in the game.
- 2:19:04But Johnson is in as a wide receiver, tight formation otherwise.
- 2:19:08In the high formation now.
- 2:19:10First down, Dallas trying to regain the lead.
- 2:19:15It is Laidlaw and he has stopped again, caught in midair and driven back.
- 2:19:22Right at the line of scrimmage, two inches away.
- 2:19:25He keeps leaving his feet, Coach, and they're flucking him off in midair.
- 2:19:29Well, usually the defensive linemen come in very low and you want to get over the top.
- 2:19:34But that time the safety man, Frank Reed, did a good job along with Kukendall,
- 2:19:39who made the stop at the line of scrimmage and prevented him from going in for the touchdown.
- 2:19:44Second and goal.
- 2:19:47And now 10 minutes remaining in the game.
- 2:19:50Score tied, 20-20.
- 2:19:54Dallas tied it up.
- 2:19:55They got the last points on the board.
- 2:19:59Atlanta really tough on defense.
- 2:20:02They send up an eight-man front.
- 2:20:04They're in the high formation and Laidlaw gets the touchdown.
- 2:20:09Laidlaw gets the touchdown over the left side.
- 2:20:12And Dallas goes on, got 26-20 with 946 remaining.
- 2:20:29A wild playoff game, massively different than anticipated by most people.
- 2:20:34Here's the extra point attempt, and don't take this one for granted.
- 2:20:45It's quite meaningful.
- 2:20:47Waters will put it down, set the end, kicks it.
- 2:20:49It's good.
- 2:20:51And it's a seven-point lead for Dallas with 946 left in the game.
- 2:20:56There's a timeout on the field with a score.
- 2:20:59Dallas 27 and Atlanta 20.
- 2:21:04So far in the second half, the Atlanta team really has not been able to generate any kind of a consistent personality offensively.
- 2:21:13And even though they had good field position in the first half, the second half has just been the opposite way.
- 2:21:19They got the first position on their own 14, and next time on their own 14.
- 2:21:23Then they got a good break.
- 2:21:24They got it on the 45-yard line of Dallas.
- 2:21:27But they didn't succeed in making the yardage for the first down.
- 2:21:30We're forced to punt.
- 2:21:31The next time they got the ball was on their own 20, the next time on their own 20.
- 2:21:35So they really didn't have good field position like they had early in the game.
- 2:21:39On the other hand, the Dallas team wound up with good field position, got the ball on the plus 30 of the Atlanta team on the last drive to put them ahead 27-20 with 946 left in the fourth quarter.
- 2:21:54Prior to that, Dallas had the ball on the 41-yard line of Atlanta and had good field position.
- 2:22:00So the field position structure has changed dramatically in the second half.
- 2:22:07This game has been tied twice.
- 2:22:10Dallas has had the lead three times.
- 2:22:13Atlanta's had the lead three times.
- 2:22:16This is the biggest lead of the afternoon for the Cowboys, who's 70-n will kick it off.
- 2:22:22These stats tell the whole story in the second half.
- 2:22:25Atlanta has had only one first down, minus 9 yards passing, 38 yards rushing.
- 2:22:30Jack, that tells the whole story.
- 2:22:31It's a line drive kick that zones into and out of the end zone.
- 2:22:37A line drive knuckleballing kick by Rafael Septien.
- 2:22:41And Atlanta will start from their own 20.
- 2:22:43And now they're under the gun.
- 2:22:45The gun will sound in 9 minutes and 39 seconds.
- 2:22:47And Atlanta trails by 7.
- 2:22:50Dallas seems to be the pressure of the two teams.
- 2:22:53Hank, do you notice that?
- 2:22:54Yes, I think you're right.
- 2:22:56They have a little bit more bounce at this stage of the game.
- 2:22:58You know, sometimes when you lose your quarterback or a key performer,
- 2:23:01sometimes it acts as a catalyst.
- 2:23:04And it's very inspiring.
- 2:23:05It looks like this team has really played inspired football once they lost Roger Sabat.
- 2:23:09Let's see what Barkowski can get done.
- 2:23:12First down from his own 20-yard line.
- 2:23:14Going from our right to our left, he's back to throw.
- 2:23:16He's rushed, he looks, he throws the screen, and it is caught.
- 2:23:19At the 30-yard, 20-yard line, and the play comes out beyond the 25 for a pickup.
- 2:23:25As Haskell stand back caught that one, and Barkowski was lucky that somebody else didn't pick it off.
- 2:23:30Randy White was all over Barkowski, but he got rid of the ball for a gain of 7 yards.
- 2:23:36He expressed a good touch on that last pass because he threw it over the top
- 2:23:40and got it to the receiver in good shape and picked up 7 yards on the play, makes a second and 3.
- 2:23:46I still have a feeling in my bones about an overtime game.
- 2:23:51Here's Barkowski handing off and a tackle in the backfield and a loss on the play.
- 2:23:56George Franklin was dripped up by Harvey Martin for a loss on the play.
- 2:24:01Back at the 21, it's going to be a 39.
- 2:24:05That was a big play.
- 2:24:06Yes it was, and you know that's the first time we've said anything at all about Harvey Martin.
- 2:24:10You didn't even know he was in a ball game until that last play.
- 2:24:13We have 838 remaining in the game.
- 2:24:18The ball is back at the 21-yard line of Atlanta, and they have third down and nine.
- 2:24:24Things might be crumbling out from under them.
- 2:24:28After struggling everyone here in Texas Stadium, Barkowski on third down, the blitz is on.
- 2:24:37He's back to throw, he runs and throws, and it is incomplete.
- 2:24:43Incomplete, and brother, that was very close to interference.
- 2:24:47Billy Richmond was about to catch the ball, and he was heavily covered by Benny Barnes,
- 2:24:54who came within an eyelash that had been interfering with the match.
- 2:24:56Yes, it was very close. It could have been called either way, Jack.
- 2:25:00But the officials evidently didn't think it was pass interference.
- 2:25:03Very honestly, from this vantage point, I thought it was.
- 2:25:07It's kicking time for James who got off an 11-yard putt a moment ago.
- 2:25:15And Dallas shows the big rush.
- 2:25:19The snap of the ball.
- 2:25:22Still yet to come.
- 2:25:25Still yet to come. Now it's high, handled by James.
- 2:25:28He kicks it off down to the Dallas 43, taken by Johnson, the 45 to midfield,
- 2:25:33and the 45 is Atlanta.
- 2:25:35And down near the 40-yard line are the Dallas Cowboys in Atlanta territory.
- 2:25:40And Mike Gostezino made the Atlanta tackle.
- 2:25:44With 8.01 remaining, the Cowboys lead by the score of 27-20.
- 2:25:50And there's the timeout. They have the ball at the Atlanta 41.
- 2:25:54And with the score, Dallas 27, Atlanta 20, let's take timeout.
- 2:26:00With his early-season mental lapses hopefully behind him,
- 2:26:03the talk about Steve Grogan has now turned to a physical well-being.
- 2:26:07The New England Patriots quarterback said Friday his strained left knee
- 2:26:11should present no problems when he leads the path into the AFC semifinal playoff game of the Houston Oilers.
- 2:26:17Coach Chuck Fairbanks said he doubted Grogan would have been ready to play
- 2:26:20had the Patriots played last weekend, but he expects his quarterback to be ready on Sunday.
- 2:26:25Fairbanks said Grogan's slow start this season was partially due to the paralyzing injury
- 2:26:29suffered by Darrell Stingley in an August 12 exhibition game.
- 2:26:33Grogan's pass was a bit overthrown, and Stingley fractured two vertebrae when he leaped for the ball
- 2:26:38and was hit in midair by Oakland's Jack Tatum.
- 2:26:41Steve had a period of time where he was upset over Darrell's injury,
- 2:26:45and there was a period when he wasn't throwing the ball very well and subconsciously
- 2:26:49wanted his receivers to be wide open.
- 2:26:51Those are the comments from head coach Chuck Fairbanks.
- 2:26:54So the New England Patriots and the Houston Oilers on Sunday.
- 2:26:58Earlier today, Pittsburgh eliminated Denver 33-10.
- 2:27:07Here Dallas leads 27-20, first down of the Atlanta 41-yard line.
- 2:27:12And on first down, Danny White out of the eye, gives the door set,
- 2:27:17and the man running over the middle got two or three yards.
- 2:27:21As he went over the left side, found little to go on, went up into the air,
- 2:27:25spun forward, Robert Pennywell, the middle linebacker, got him.
- 2:27:28Now we're under eight minutes remaining in the game, 7.45.
- 2:27:32Yes, earlier today, Pittsburgh defeated Denver 33-10,
- 2:27:36and Pittsburgh will host the championship game against either New England or Houston.
- 2:27:43That will be determined tomorrow. You'll hear the game on CBS Radio.
- 2:27:47And again, season's greetings from all of us at CBS Radio Sports.
- 2:27:52And a happy New Year to you.
- 2:27:54Out of the eye formation on second and seven, White's back to throw,
- 2:27:58throws long down the sideline, incomplete to Drew Pearson.
- 2:28:01He had to get it over the head of Rolland Lawrence, injured earlier,
- 2:28:04back in there now, and Pearson could only try for a one-handed grab,
- 2:28:08but couldn't come away with the ball.
- 2:28:09Because of the coverage, it did look like Drew Pearson expected
- 2:28:12to get the ball thrown to him that time, and it was kind of a feeble effort
- 2:28:15to make that one-handed catch.
- 2:28:17Now it's third down and seven for the Cowboys.
- 2:28:22The Dallas team, the way this Atlanta team has played late in the fourth quarter
- 2:28:26of so many games, they better take advantage of this field position
- 2:28:29because it could make a big difference in the final outcome of this game
- 2:28:32with 7.15 left in the contest.
- 2:28:34They're at the 38-yard line of Atlanta. Preston Pearson is in the backfield for Dallas.
- 2:28:39Out of the shotgun formation, the blitz is on, the blitz is on,
- 2:28:43White's back to throw, he's rushed, and on the run, he throws the ball,
- 2:28:47and it is incomplete out of bounds.
- 2:28:49Well, the blitz worked that time.
- 2:28:51They chased him out of the pocket and made him throw it away.
- 2:28:53It's fourth down for Dallas.
- 2:28:55You know, that's why the count and the cadence is so important.
- 2:28:58If you permit the defense to anticipate what the rhythm and the cadence is going to be,
- 2:29:02they can blitz like they did that last time.
- 2:29:04Dewey McLean is so frustrated.
- 2:29:06He's about a half-yard away from Danny White all the while, chasing him at full speed.
- 2:29:10But he made him throw the ball into the turf, and that's what it's all about.
- 2:29:13He didn't complete the pass.
- 2:29:15Now we have 7.08 remaining as Dallas will punt.
- 2:29:21That was really a big series for the Atlanta team because had they scored on that last drive
- 2:29:26or on this possession, they really would have been in serious trouble.
- 2:29:30White gets the snap from about midfield. He kicks it high in the air.
- 2:29:35The blitz is called for and taken on the eight-yard line by Rickman.
- 2:29:40He should let that ball go, eh?
- 2:29:42Yes, he should have. He was inside the ten, and the basic rule of thumb is
- 2:29:45anytime that you're inside the ten, let it drop and play the percentages
- 2:29:49and hope it'll go into the end zone.
- 2:29:51So now Atlanta will start from their own nine-yard line with 7.01 remaining.
- 2:29:56A pause in the action with a score.
- 2:29:58Dallas 27, Atlanta 20, and let's take time out.
- 2:30:01A lot of bitter remarks came out of Lincoln, Nebraska when it was learned
- 2:30:06November 18th that Nebraska's opponent in the Orange Bowl would be Oklahoma
- 2:30:10in a rare rematch, but most of that feeling has died away.
- 2:30:14At the time, just after Nebraska's upset by Missouri,
- 2:30:17Costa-Cornhuskers are shot at the national title against top-ranked Penn State.
- 2:30:21The players and coaches said they thought it would be unfair to have to beat Oklahoma again.
- 2:30:25The feeling was that it was tough enough to beat the Sooners 17-14
- 2:30:29the first time on November 11th.
- 2:30:31According to Nebraska tailback IMHIP, earlier it was disappointing to the whole team,
- 2:30:37but now everyone is up because we have to prove a lot to a lot of people
- 2:30:40who think the first win was a fluke.
- 2:30:43He said we went through a lot of things in those seven days,
- 2:30:46but anyway, we had our destiny in our own hands to play for the national championship
- 2:30:50and lost it.
- 2:30:51Those comments from defensive back Jim Spillen.
- 2:30:55He says, I think for myself and everybody else on the team,
- 2:30:57it was about the toughest thing we've ever had to handle.
- 2:31:00I'm in Jack Buck with you, Hank.
- 2:31:02Should I repeat my gut feeling about the overtime game?
- 2:31:05Yeah, you might as well.
- 2:31:06You've been doing it all afternoon.
- 2:31:09You might as well do it again.
- 2:31:10I've got a feeling I'm going to go into overtime here.
- 2:31:13The ball's at the nine-yard line, a first down for Atlanta.
- 2:31:17Bartkowski, a quarterback, hands off on the running play,
- 2:31:20and out it comes to the 15-yard line and a flag goes down.
- 2:31:25Running with the ball was Mike Esposito is in there now for Atlanta.
- 2:31:31Esposito is out of Boston College.
- 2:31:34Here's a penalty going to be marked off against the Atlanta Falcons.
- 2:31:42Boy, the field position for Atlanta in the second half has really been atrocious.
- 2:31:46I mention again, second half, they've had it on their own 14, their own 14,
- 2:31:51plus five, and they blew it.
- 2:31:53Holding, Devano off it, first down.
- 2:31:58Then they had it on their own 20, their own 20, their own 20,
- 2:32:01and now on their own nine.
- 2:32:03Conversely, Dallas had it on the plus 49, 46, plus 41, plus 30, plus 40,
- 2:32:09and that's really been a difference in the game so far.
- 2:32:14The holding call puts Atlanta back at the five-yard line.
- 2:32:17Makes it first and 15, back at their own five.
- 2:32:20Barskowski from the end zone, scrambling, throwing, and broken up,
- 2:32:25and a flag is down.
- 2:32:28Interception.
- 2:32:29The ball was a beautiful interception.
- 2:32:32But now a flag is down back upfield.
- 2:32:36We caught that ball on the interception, Ag.
- 2:32:38I was watching the flag upfield.
- 2:32:40Did Waters get it?
- 2:32:41It looked like Penny Barnes got it.
- 2:32:42But now let's see what happens.
- 2:32:44That's interference they call.
- 2:32:47It's against Dallas.
- 2:32:52An illegal chuck downfield as the Atlanta man was racing by, Wallace Francis.
- 2:32:59He was given an illegal chuck.
- 2:33:02And the ball is going to be marked off against the Cowboys.
- 2:33:07That was really a fabulous interception.
- 2:33:10And I saw the one, and very frankly, I don't know whether it was Penny Barnes or Charlie Waters.
- 2:33:16Illegal chuck, heck, 31.
- 2:33:18Defense is the first down.
- 2:33:20It was Penny Barnes.
- 2:33:23Penny Barnes gave the illegal chuck, and it's the first down for Atlanta,
- 2:33:32an automatic first down, a five-yard penalty out to their own 10-yard line.
- 2:33:36And Barskowski keeps it on the ground and comes out to about the 13-yard line
- 2:33:41with Standback running with the ball, Bubba Bean running with the ball.
- 2:34:03This is CBS Radio.
- 2:34:05We are experiencing transmission difficulties from the site of this National Football League game.
- 2:34:09We hope that you will please stay tuned on this CBS Radio Network station.
- 2:34:14Well, as you heard, we are experiencing technical difficulties on CBS Radio.
- 2:34:19This game is being televised by CBS Television, and we can just tell you that Haskell Standback
- 2:34:24is carried for about pretty close to a first yard down out to the 25-yard line.
- 2:34:30Things have resumed. Let's get back.
- 2:34:32Come out to the 25.
- 2:34:34Mitchell, the tight end is out.
- 2:34:37And they put in the three wide receivers, Wallace Francis, Alfred Jackson, and Billy Rickman.
- 2:34:43Rickman is left.
- 2:34:45First down from their own 25, Barskowski and company is back to throw.
- 2:34:51Rolls right a little, goes in over the middle, caught beyond the 40-yard line,
- 2:34:55and the tackle is made near the 45.
- 2:34:57Francis caught that ball in rough, rough traffic and was wrestled out by Henderson and others.
- 2:35:03But another Atlanta first down, and they're on the move.
- 2:35:07Steve Barskowski, you know, he continues to impress you with the way he reacts in pressure situations.
- 2:35:12That time there was a lot of pressure on Steve.
- 2:35:15He moved slightly to evade the rush, got the ball right on the money to Francis,
- 2:35:20and it's another first down for Atlanta.
- 2:35:22Beautiful throw by Steve Barskowski.
- 2:35:24Five minutes left. Dallas leading 27-20.
- 2:35:28Here is Sandback coming outside, crossing midfield, going to the Dallas 47-yard line.
- 2:35:34The play calling of Atlanta has been exquisite all afternoon.
- 2:35:37Yes, it has been, and they're doing a good job of mixing up the run and the pass.
- 2:35:41They keep them off balance.
- 2:35:42And I want to mention again, Dick Woods, my former quarterback coach with New Orleans,
- 2:35:47has done a great job here with Barskowski, as has Bill Walts, the offensive line coach
- 2:35:52who was with me for 15 years in Kansas City,
- 2:35:55along with Doug Shively, who also worked with us in New Orleans, working with our linebackers.
- 2:36:00All of whom have done a great job for Atlanta.
- 2:36:02The ball at the Dallas 47, second down and two.
- 2:36:05Sandback has been tearing them up.
- 2:36:07It was seen in the first half.
- 2:36:09Sandback here in the second half doing the damage.
- 2:36:11The fake handoff, Barskowski back to throw.
- 2:36:14Looks, throws long, overthrown, incomplete.
- 2:36:17Intended the ball for his running back Mike Esposito, and he was well covered.
- 2:36:23Aaron Kyle was over there on the corner and got the help he needed from Charlie Waters.
- 2:36:28That stops the clock with four oh eight remaining.
- 2:36:31Second, third down and two.
- 2:36:34So a critical down coming up for the Falcons.
- 2:36:36You know, Mike Chen, the offensive tackle, left tackle of Atlanta,
- 2:36:40has really done a great job on Harvey Martin.
- 2:36:42You know, you don't even know that Martin's been in the game.
- 2:36:45He nullified him.
- 2:36:46Yes he has.
- 2:36:47Now it's third down and two.
- 2:36:50For the Atlanta club.
- 2:36:53The running play gets the first down inside the 45 of Atlanta to Esposito again.
- 2:37:01Esposito, only a rookie.
- 2:37:04Cliff Harris that time was looking from his free safety position.
- 2:37:07They ran right in the area where he vacated the spot and picked up the yardage for the first down.
- 2:37:12It's a beautiful march here by the Atlanta changes.
- 2:37:14Started this march on their own nine yard line.
- 2:37:17And then were penalized back to the five.
- 2:37:19Now they're down to the Dallas 41 with three forty one remaining in the game.
- 2:37:23A first down.
- 2:37:24That was a crucial third down call.
- 2:37:26I don't know.
- 2:37:27I've told you this, Jack, before.
- 2:37:28But you know, there's a chance this might be an overtime game.
- 2:37:30No way.
- 2:37:31Here's a first down play coming up and Barchowski back to throw.
- 2:37:34Look throws it long.
- 2:37:35He's got it.
- 2:37:36He is incomplete.
- 2:37:37Overthrown to Al Jackson.
- 2:37:41He was covered on the corner by Aaron Kyle.
- 2:37:44Have you had that feeling at all, Jack, about the possibility of being an overtime game?
- 2:37:48Never entered my mind.
- 2:37:49Cliff Harris was also back there helping on pass defense.
- 2:37:53Now the clock has stopped with three twenty four remaining.
- 2:37:55They went for the bomb that time, Hank.
- 2:37:57I guess every once in a while you've got to air it out.
- 2:38:00But for the most part, you better take the short stuff that's available to you.
- 2:38:04Yeah, but it's good sometimes to blow out the carbon.
- 2:38:06And that's what happened on that last play.
- 2:38:08He had a chance to get the ball on top.
- 2:38:09They were expecting something short, but he just didn't get it on the money like he should have.
- 2:38:13It's second down and ten for the Falcons.
- 2:38:17Dallas shows the blitz.
- 2:38:21And on second down, the blitz is on.
- 2:38:24The pass is incomplete.
- 2:38:26Intended for Dennis Pearson.
- 2:38:28A little square off pattern and he got rid of it a little too quickly.
- 2:38:31Yeah, there again.
- 2:38:32So he was intimidated by the blitz.
- 2:38:34He didn't have to get rid of the ball that quickly at all.
- 2:38:36He would have had a chance to lick him on the outside, but he got the ball off too quickly and it falls incomplete.
- 2:38:42Third down and ten.
- 2:38:43Now what happens, Hank?
- 2:38:44Three twenty one remaining.
- 2:38:45You don't make a first down on third down.
- 2:38:47Can you afford to kick the ball away?
- 2:38:49No, I don't think so.
- 2:38:50I think you have to try to, in this field position, you've got to try to make the first down and keep the ball moving.
- 2:38:56The ball's at the Dallas forty-one and a third set.
- 2:38:59The crowd rises to the occasion.
- 2:39:02Rickman is left.
- 2:39:03Two wide receivers to the right.
- 2:39:04Jackson and Francis.
- 2:39:06On third down, Barchowski is chased by Jones.
- 2:39:10He throws the ball and it is complete, complete.
- 2:39:13Down at the thirty-two yard line.
- 2:39:15Very close to a first down.
- 2:39:17Apparently short by inches to Wallace Francis.
- 2:39:20Boy, was that a great throw on Barchowski's part.
- 2:39:23I thought he was throwing the ball away.
- 2:39:25But he got it.
- 2:39:27Jones was really after him.
- 2:39:28Yes he was.
- 2:39:29Number seventy-two, the defensive left end.
- 2:39:31And Wallace Francis was Johnny on the spot.
- 2:39:35He caught the ball.
- 2:39:36Just inches away from a first down and a fourth down for Atlanta with three fourteen left.
- 2:39:42Barchowski.
- 2:39:44They put in the two-side end.
- 2:39:46Mitchell.
- 2:39:50And Lewis Gilbert.
- 2:39:52Here's a big play.
- 2:39:53Stand back.
- 2:39:54Here's the up back.
- 2:39:55Right side.
- 2:39:56They ought to run right outside.
- 2:39:57See if they do.
- 2:39:58It's fourth down and inches.
- 2:39:59And here's a toss to Franklin and he.
- 2:40:02It's stopped.
- 2:40:03On fourth down.
- 2:40:04Appears to be south by Dallas.
- 2:40:07Henderson gammed up the play.
- 2:40:10And let's see if Franklin got it.
- 2:40:12They're going to measure.
- 2:40:13I don't think he did, Jack, but he might have.
- 2:40:15But it's very close.
- 2:40:16I don't think he made the first down.
- 2:40:18But that was the place to run on the defense.
- 2:40:20The defense really did a great job of responding to what they saw.
- 2:40:23And came up and did a great job.
- 2:40:25He went quite deep, didn't he?
- 2:40:26Well, he's going to always be deep from the eye formation.
- 2:40:28But he just didn't turn it up field with as much enthusiasm and aggressiveness as he should have.
- 2:40:34Let's see if they made it.
- 2:40:35They did not.
- 2:40:36The ball goes to Dallas.
- 2:40:39They cover with three oh nine remaining.
- 2:40:43And Dallas leading by seven, twenty seven to twenty.
- 2:40:47And they have the ball at their own thirty three yard line.
- 2:40:50Well, Atlanta started from their own forty five.
- 2:40:53And they give it up to Dallas at the Dallas thirty three.
- 2:40:58Three oh nine left.
- 2:40:59A pause in the action.
- 2:41:00The score, Dallas twenty seven.
- 2:41:02Atlanta twenty.
- 2:41:03Let's take time out.
- 2:41:05Terry Bradshaw's passing and Franco Harris's running carried the Pittsburgh Steelers to a thirty three to ten victory over Denver in the AFC semifinal playoff game.
- 2:41:13Bradshaw hit on sixteen and twenty nine passes for two hundred seventy two yards and two touchdowns.
- 2:41:18While Harris ran for one hundred five yards and scored twice.
- 2:41:22John Stallworth set our playoff record by catching ten of Bradshaw's throws.
- 2:41:27Four other Super Bowl contenders are watching the playoff action before taking the field on Sunday.
- 2:41:33In Foxboro, Massachusetts, the New England Patriots host the Houston Orders and in Los Angeles, the Rams entertain the Minnesota Vikings.
- 2:41:42Arkansas coach Lou Holtz says that he has no plans to leave the Razorbacks to take the head coaching job at Ohio State.
- 2:41:49Holtz was reported to be a leading candidate for the job, which opened up at longtime Buckeye coach Woody Hayes was fired earlier Saturday.
- 2:41:56Holtz made the remarks from Honolulu where he'll coach the West squad in next week's Hula Bowl.
- 2:42:08Ball control is the name of the game now for Dallas.
- 2:42:10They have Danny Whitey quarterback Roger Stopock was injured earlier.
- 2:42:14The boys had the ball at their own thirty three yard line and the Gibbets to Doris said running right.
- 2:42:20He hurdles at the thirty five gets out to the thirty six.
- 2:42:23He got three yards Tom Pride more finished him off.
- 2:42:27Three minutes left in the game.
- 2:42:28Cowboys leading by seven.
- 2:42:31They send in the new play with Burton Lawless one of the guards.
- 2:42:35Jackie Smith comes in to join Billy Joe Dupree as the tight end.
- 2:42:41Two forty five remaining.
- 2:42:45A light drizzle is falling now here in Dallas to the point where the official umpire keeps the ball covered.
- 2:42:52Center is John Fitzgerald.
- 2:42:53The quarterback is Danny White.
- 2:42:56Flip backs Laidlaw and Doris said on second down a bootleg play in the pass play and it is caught by Jackie Smith at this field.
- 2:43:04He's down to the forty six yard line in Atlanta.
- 2:43:07Jackie Smith got the first down pass.
- 2:43:10A bootleg a roll out right and a little flip pass to Jackie Smith who got a touchdown pass here earlier.
- 2:43:16That's quite a big part in this game.
- 2:43:18He has and of course he's a great performer very sure handed tight end and a good pressure player as was expressed on that last play where he made the nice catch on second down.
- 2:43:30Two minutes left in the game.
- 2:43:32Time is called.
- 2:43:33The clock is stopped.
- 2:43:34Two minutes remaining in the football game.
- 2:43:36When we resume Dallas will have the ball first and ten of the Atlanta forty one and Dallas is leading by seven.
- 2:43:43And now with the score Dallas twenty seven.
- 2:43:45The Atlanta Falcons twenty let's take time out.
- 2:43:49We're talking about Arkansas coach Lou Holt saying that he has no plans to leave the Razorbacks to take that head coaching job at Ohio State.
- 2:43:55So Woody Hayes fired earlier in the day for hitting a Clemson player in that football game on Friday night.
- 2:44:03That was the Gator Bowl Clemson versus Ohio State.
- 2:44:06That game was televised at ABC and ABC in New York says that Hayes attack on that player during the Gator Bowl touched off a swarm of fans.
- 2:44:14Off a swarm of phone calls at network headquarters in New York and a network spokesman says that half the calls protested Hayes action while the other half complained because the network replayed the incident only one.
- 2:44:31The New York Knicks won their third straight NBA game Saturday afternoon by defeating the Kansas City Kings one twelve to one oh eight.
- 2:44:38Bob McAdoo led the Knicks with twenty nine points.
- 2:44:41One of them doing a fourth quarter surge so the Knicks three straight one twelve one oh eight over Kansas City.
- 2:44:50The Falcons lead at the half twenty to thirteen they trail now twenty seven to twenty they've been shut out here in the second half.
- 2:44:57First down Dallas going from our left to our right at the Atlanta forty one and on first down is Jorsett running left trying to go outside.
- 2:45:05He is hit breaks the tackle and goes out of bounds near the forty stays in bounds as it turned out at the forty yard line of Atlanta and he got six one forty five remaining.
- 2:45:17That was critical for Atlanta when Jorsett did not go out of bounds.
- 2:45:22Fox still running.
- 2:45:24He's seen as three timeouts in Atlanta.
- 2:45:26It better use one of them Hank.
- 2:45:28Yes they have to pretty soon here.
- 2:45:29They've got second second down and four situation.
- 2:45:34Jorsett just got sick.
- 2:45:36Atlanta has led about 20 seconds click off the clock here.
- 2:45:41It's second down and four one fifteen remaining in the game and Dallas leading by seven twenty seven twenty.
- 2:45:50Preston Pearson is in the backfield and now with one second left Dallas calls timeout.
- 2:45:58Jackie Smith didn't know where to line up on the play was confused on the formation and he went from one side to the other and Danny White finally said let's talk it over.
- 2:46:06Let's get it straightened out here.
- 2:46:08You and I were talking about Atlanta and their need for a timeout.
- 2:46:11Who gives a dumb with Jackie Smith and the Dallas Club block has stopped with one on nine remaining in the game.
- 2:46:19Dallas leading by seven they have the ball at the 40 yard line of the Falcons second down and four they get a first down here and do not fumble the ball.
- 2:46:31This one is just about over.
- 2:46:33Yes it'll be in the vault and I'm sure they'll try to run another play outside on the second and fourth situation to consume as much time as they possibly can.
- 2:46:43And of course at the same time try to stay in bounds. Greg Brazino the linebacker who is a leader on the field for the Falcons trying to rally his forces.
- 2:46:53And out come the Cowboys wide receivers left and right Pearson and Tony Hill.
- 2:46:59Now the official keeps them from snapping the ball.
- 2:47:09Two games tomorrow the first of the two at 1250 Eastern time the AFC playoff game Houston at New England to determine the opponent for the Pittsburgh Steelers on the seventh of January.
- 2:47:21The Steelers beat Denver earlier today.
- 2:47:23Here's Danny White rolling with the ball running with the ball falling on the run and complete to three to try to make a one handed check.
- 2:47:32Now the clock is stopped with one oh three remaining and all of this gives Atlanta a further opportunity if and when they get the ball going to be third down and four one oh three left.
- 2:47:47And another new play from the sideline carried by the messenger Burton Lawless.
- 2:47:52Dallas leading 2720 lead three to nothing trailed seven three tied it to 10 all dollars regain the lead 13 to 10 and Atlanta 1713 Atlanta 2013 at halftime with the Falcons haven't scored.
- 2:48:07Dallas tied it up at 20 all and Dallas took the lead 2720 with about 945 left in the game.
- 2:48:17Now we have one oh three left if they run right sweep Atlanta show the blitz on third down white back to throw throws it to the sideline.
- 2:48:26A little pumping over there on the sideline the Cowboys wanted interference but the official said it took place out of bounds.
- 2:48:33Now 59 seconds remaining in the game.
- 2:48:37I understand those last two calls.
- 2:48:39The officials had it happen out of bounds. I'm talking about the offensive calls with regard to stopping the clock on two successful plays.
- 2:48:47They might have gotten the first down.
- 2:48:49They surely would have kept the clock going made Atlanta calls.
- 2:48:52I'm out of that.
- 2:48:53Now they have three timeouts left.
- 2:48:55Atlanta has and there's 59 seconds left in the game which is a lot of time reading the way this Atlanta team is operated in a short yardage.
- 2:49:02They have a very short time period in four or five games that they've won this season.
- 2:49:09Here is Danny White waiting for the snap from center.
- 2:49:12It is crucial Billy Rickman is back standing at his 10 waiting for the punt and the snap the kick by White.
- 2:49:20He angles it for the sideline Rickman lets it go over his head.
- 2:49:23It bounces into the end zone.
- 2:49:25They come out to the 20 yard line and Atlanta will have only 49 seconds with which to do something about their seven point deficit.
- 2:49:34Let's pause five seconds for stations to identify themselves on the CBS radio network.
- 2:49:40This is the American Forces radio and television service.
- 2:49:48I ask you to play the role of medical expert but when you're dealing with a concussion does that mean that Stobrock might be able to play next week.
- 2:49:56I'm sure he'll be able to play next week but I don't think he can afford to take a chance the day that he gets hurt.
- 2:50:02Bartkowski back to throw throws long down the middle and it's dropped incomplete.
- 2:50:07Incomplete is the call beyond the 30 yard line.
- 2:50:10Incomplete as Bartkowski threw high to Rickman got his hands on it but couldn't come down with the ball.
- 2:50:1740 seconds left.
- 2:50:24You really have to give this team a lot of credit this Atlanta team because they're not nearly as gifted as the Dallas Cowboys and yet they played a remarkable game here this afternoon.
- 2:50:33Win lose or draw they still deserve a great deal of credit.
- 2:50:36Lehman Bennett is fine coaching staff the entire organization.
- 2:50:39They're off on the right track doing a great job and they really express a lot of spirit and animation in this game here today.
- 2:50:45The ball is in the opening ball now with 40 seconds left.
- 2:50:48Second and 10 from the 20.
- 2:50:50Bartkowski back to throw he looks throws it's in his gutter.
- 2:50:54Then comes Dallas the other way with the ball.
- 2:50:57And Cliff Harris has it.
- 2:50:58Dallas has it.
- 2:50:5929 seconds left and they've got this football game.
- 2:51:02I know the Falcons do have free timeouts for them.
- 2:51:05Bartkowski threw it.
- 2:51:10Dallas man Cliff Harris was just standing there couldn't wait for the ball to come to him.
- 2:51:16He had four during the regular season.
- 2:51:20He's a member of the Pro Bowl as is his running mate at safety spot Charlie Waters.
- 2:51:27And Dallas has a seven point lead.
- 2:51:29Bartkowski is intercepted.
- 2:51:31You know normally you go into a game with the anticipation of having a ball on 13 possessions.
- 2:51:36Each team and ironically right at this stage of the game with 29 seconds left.
- 2:51:41Atlanta has put it in play 13 different times and Dallas is not putting it in for the 13th time.
- 2:51:47So the balance of that situation is perfect.
- 2:51:51Atlanta will have to use their timeouts immediately now and they have three remaining.
- 2:51:56The ball is at the 24 yard line of the Falcon.
- 2:51:59White at quarterback wants to avoid mistakes penalties and so forth.
- 2:52:04And the blitz was on and a whistle sounds before the snap of the ball.
- 2:52:10And perhaps well let's see if Atlanta was drawn offside.
- 2:52:14Yep. Pro-sever against Dallas and that's what was in my mind Hank about mistakes.
- 2:52:22And five yards to be marked off against him.
- 2:52:24It's hard to understand why they'd make that kind of mistake at this stage of the game Jack.
- 2:52:30The ball starts moving before the snap.
- 2:52:35Ball is moved back to the Atlanta 29 yard line.
- 2:52:40Herbert Scott the left guard was moving on the play.
- 2:52:47North first and 15.
- 2:52:52Preston Pearson is in the backfield.
- 2:52:56With Laidlaw, Dorsett is out.
- 2:52:58Oh Laidlaw is really horse-collared as he took a handoff and he ran right into Bailey and Fields of Atlanta.
- 2:53:08Timeout called by Atlanta with 22 seconds remaining and they have two timeouts left.
- 2:53:14There was a loss on that play sending the ball back to the 31 making it second down and 17.
- 2:53:20Laidlaw was laid low that time with that tackle wasn't he?
- 2:53:23Was he not.
- 2:53:26Now the clock will start with a snap of the ball.
- 2:53:3322 seconds remaining in the game.
- 2:53:42Rosino went to the sideline.
- 2:53:45Comes back to try to rally his defense.
- 2:53:49Dallas will be in action on January 7th in a game here which you'll hear on CBS radio.
- 2:53:58They'll be going against either Minnesota or Los Angeles.
- 2:54:03Either here or in Los Angeles if Dallas does indeed win this afternoon.
- 2:54:09White was second down and 17 just trying to run off the final 22 seconds.
- 2:54:14As Pearson and Laidlaw against the Laidlaw he tackles it to 13 and goes down.
- 2:54:19And another timeout called by Atlanta with 16 seconds remaining.
- 2:54:24And now the Falcons have but one timeout remaining.
- 2:54:28And it is third down.
- 2:54:32Third down coming up for the Cowboys.
- 2:54:38It might turn out that the Falcons will get the ball one more time.
- 2:54:4416 seconds left in the game.
- 2:54:50Dallas earlier had an opportunity to really put Atlanta in a bad hole not only score wise but time wise.
- 2:54:57They got a little mix up with their offensive play calling.
- 2:55:01And they call a timeout which stopped the clock.
- 2:55:05And then a penalty stopped the clock.
- 2:55:09Ball is at the Atlanta 30.
- 2:55:12And only the most bizarre of events would change this around.
- 2:55:15But remember what happened this year in that giant Philadelphia game.
- 2:55:21Danny White on third down and 16.
- 2:55:24Calls the play from the Atlanta 30 with 16 seconds left.
- 2:55:30And he gives the ball to it running back.
- 2:55:33Jason Pearson wants to stay in bounds killing off the dime, dancing around.
- 2:55:38Finally tackled with nine seconds left.
- 2:55:41Seven seconds left as Atlanta calls timeout.
- 2:55:44And it's fourth down coming up for Dallas.
- 2:55:46And here comes Big Ben.
- 2:55:48They'll put three receivers on the right side, I'm sure on the right side of the field because they're on the left hash mark.
- 2:55:53And try to take a chance with throwing the ball up field and getting a jump ball.
- 2:55:57Would you do that?
- 2:55:57Yes, I would.
- 2:55:58I wouldn't do it.
- 2:55:59I would.
- 2:56:00You have to try to get a chance to get back in the ball game some way.
- 2:56:02And I think that's the thing about the Atlanta when they get it.
- 2:56:04Oh yeah, if Atlanta gets it.
- 2:56:05Sure.
- 2:56:06It's fourth down coming up, seven seconds remaining.
- 2:56:08Dallas is to the point now where they could take a safety and run off the clock if they wanted to do so.
- 2:56:15But of course that would be a dangerous play also.
- 2:56:18I guess they'll just play it straight here, Hank.
- 2:56:20Maybe even punt the ball and play it a normal bet.
- 2:56:23You know, a good thing to do here would be line up in the field goal, fake the field goal and roll out right or left and either make the completion or run the ball.
- 2:56:31As much time as possible and in all probability the game would be over.
- 2:56:35The ball is at the Atlanta 31 yard line.
- 2:56:39Seven seconds left.
- 2:56:40The clock will start with a snap of the ball.
- 2:56:43They're going to run from scrimmage.
- 2:56:45Dallas is on fourth down, fourth down and long, fourth and 18.
- 2:56:49White gets the ball, bootlegs the ball.
- 2:56:52He's being chased and he is tackled with two seconds left.
- 2:56:56And because now the game is over.
- 2:56:59The game is over.
- 2:57:00The
- 2:57:05time has run out and the season is over for the Atlanta Falcons.
- 2:57:10Dallas has won this game and what a tough chore it was.
- 2:57:1427 to 20 and they go on to the NFC championship game.
- 2:57:20The end of the contest between the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys.
- 2:57:24Where the final score is Dallas 27 and Atlanta 20.
- 2:57:29The Dallas Cowboys coming out with a seven point victory.
- 2:57:34The victory a lot of folks figured would be a laugher.
- 2:57:37Dallas was savored by some two touchdowns in this football game.
- 2:57:41But Dallas after taking a three nothing lead in the first quarter and a 34 yard field goal by Ray Fiorsepian.
- 2:57:47Then being for Atlanta on 11 yard run to give the Falcons a seven to three lead.
- 2:57:52Dallas came back to recapture the advantage on an 11 yard run by Laidlaw.
- 2:57:57Then a 42 yard field goal by Mazetti tied the game.
- 2:58:00Dallas took the lead again on a 48 yard field goal by Fiorsepian.
- 2:58:04But then Bartkowski hooked up with Francis on a 17 yard touchdown pass to give Atlanta a 17 to 13 lead.
- 2:58:11It was a 20 to 13 advantage on a 22 yard field goal by Mazetti.
- 2:58:15And then a three yard pass from White to Smith after Roger Staubach was shaken up.
- 2:58:20And he suffered a mild concussion from what we understand in the first half.
- 2:58:24White to Smith for three yards to tie the score.
- 2:58:27A one yard run by Laidlaw and that was the final margin of victory.
- 2:58:31While the Atlanta Falcons were in their first playoff position in the history of their franchise.
- 2:58:37They won last week over Philadelphia.
- 2:58:40But they couldn't handle the Cowboys today.
- 2:58:42Earlier today Pittsburgh eliminated Denver from the playoffs with a 33 to 10 win.
- 2:58:47And just now Dallas has taken the measure of Atlanta 27 to 20.
- 2:58:53Dallas went out in front in the first quarter.
- 2:58:55And a 34 yard field goal by Fiorsepian.
- 2:58:58They led 3 to nothing.
- 2:59:0014 yard draw play scored by Bubba Bean.
- 2:59:03Put Atlanta on top 7 to 3.
- 2:59:05A 13 yard burst by Scott Laidlaw put Dallas back out in front by the score of 10 to 7.
- 2:59:11That was after Danny White had run out of fun information.
- 2:59:14At the end of the first quarter the score was tied 10 all.
- 2:59:19As Atlanta had gotten back into the game to tie it with a 42 yard field goal by Tim Mazetti.
- 2:59:26Fiorsepian a 48 yard field goal which tied a Dallas Cowboy playoff record for distance.
- 2:59:32And Dallas again had the lead 13 to 10.
- 2:59:34But Wallace Francis got a 17 yard touchdown pass.
- 2:59:38The Falcons, the visitors here today, led 17 to 13.
- 2:59:42And then 20 to 13 on a 22 yard field goal by Tim Mazetti.
- 2:59:46And they enjoyed that seven point advantage at halftime.
- 2:59:48But Atlanta was not the score in the second half.
- 2:59:51And when Roger Staubach was injured it was Danny White coming into the game through a 2 yard touchdown pass to Jackie Smith.
- 2:59:58The extra point tied the game in the third quarter with 7 minutes remaining.
- 3:00:03That was 20-20.
- 3:00:04That was the score at the end of the third quarter.
- 3:00:07And then Dallas, after a personal foul that helped them move the ball down near the Atlantic O-line,
- 3:00:14sent Scott Laidlaw over from inches away, 27-20.
- 3:00:18That was with 9.46 remaining in the game.
- 3:00:21There was no further scoring.
- 3:00:23Atlanta is out.
- 3:00:24Dallas will play on January 7th against either Minnesota or Los Angeles.
- 3:00:29And we'll continue with our wrap up here in just one moment.
- 3:00:37You know the big difference in the second half, Jack, as you mentioned,
- 3:00:40is the fact that the Atlanta team was winning 20-13 at halftime.
- 3:00:44And they had a distinct advantage as far as field position is concerned in the first half.
- 3:00:49In the second half, however, they had the ball on 8 possessions.
- 3:00:52And only one time out of the 8 possessions did they have any kind of good field position.
- 3:00:57That being on the plus 45 yard line of Dallas.
- 3:01:00And they didn't take advantage of the opportunity.
- 3:01:02Conversely, however, the Dallas Cowboys had possession seven times.
- 3:01:07And of the seven times, they had good field position on every occasion
- 3:01:11and had the ball in the following areas.
- 3:01:13The first time on their own 49, the next time on their plus 46,
- 3:01:18then plus 41 of Atlanta, plus 30 of Atlanta, plus 40 of Atlanta,
- 3:01:23plus 24 of Atlanta, minus 33 of Dallas.
- 3:01:27And that was really the difference in the second half.
- 3:01:29It was amazing that the Atlanta team stayed so close, making it 27-20.
- 3:01:35And quite a surprise it was.
- 3:01:36Danny White, who has patiently served as an understudy for three years,
- 3:01:40coming in to replace the injured Roger Starbucks or Raleigh Dallas
- 3:01:43to that seven-point playoff victory over the Falkens
- 3:01:46to put the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game for the ninth time in the past 13 years.
- 3:01:53MUSIC