Sept 4 in Jet History: Ground & Pound To a Controversial Win
Sept 4, 2015 5:50:10 GMT -5
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Post by Lithfan on Sept 4, 2015 5:50:10 GMT -5
September 4, 1983
After a tumultuous offseason which would shape the Jets franchise for years to come, the Jets were happy to get back on the field on September 4th in San Diego to take on the Chargers in the season opener.
After an 82 AFCCG appearance in the Miami Mud Bowl, Head Coach Walt Michaels was fired, replaced by offensive coordinator Joe Walton. With his first pick as Head Coach, Walton and Team GM Jim Kensil would select QB Ken O’Brien, leaving Dan Marino on the board to fall to Division rival Miami. The 1983 season, however, would start on a high note.
The Jets defeated the Chargers 41-29 behind a strong running game and opportunistic defense. It was a true ground & pound effort as the Jets held the ball for over 36 minutes to keep the high powered Chargers offense off the field. The team gained over 250 yards rushing on the day, led by Freeman McNeil with 120 yards and one touchdown. Dwayne Crutchfield added 53 yards on the ground and another TD. Rookie Johnny Hector only had 1 carry, but he made his first NFL rushing attempt count, as he went for 42 yards. The defense added 4 takeaways, including interceptions of Dan Fouts by Lance Mehl and Johnny Lynn.
QB Richard Todd was solid, not needing to do too much, Todd completed 17 of 29 passes for 160 yards with 2 TDs and 1 interception.
The game was not without controversy. Midway through the 4th quarter, Fouts would hit WR Bobby Duckworth on a 29 yard TD pass that cut the Jets lead to 27-22. The ensuing kickoff was re-played after referee Red Cashion realized that NBC was still in a commercial break. Red Cashion had signaled the ball in play, but whistled the play dead with the ball in the air. Kirk Springs returned the 2nd kickoff 64 yards against a gassed SD coverage team to set the Jets up at the Chargers 30. A few plays later, Todd hit McNeil with an 18-yard TD toss.
After the game, SD Coach Don Coryell was fuming, “They should never have got the 2nd kick. I never heard of such thing. The referee is in charge,” said Coryell.
“We are not going to go until the TV is ready,” Cashion explained. “They were in a commercial and they were not ready to come back.”
When asked about the controversy, all Joe Walton would say was, “I can’t remember. I forgot. I could make up something, but I won’t.”
After a tumultuous offseason which would shape the Jets franchise for years to come, the Jets were happy to get back on the field on September 4th in San Diego to take on the Chargers in the season opener.
After an 82 AFCCG appearance in the Miami Mud Bowl, Head Coach Walt Michaels was fired, replaced by offensive coordinator Joe Walton. With his first pick as Head Coach, Walton and Team GM Jim Kensil would select QB Ken O’Brien, leaving Dan Marino on the board to fall to Division rival Miami. The 1983 season, however, would start on a high note.
The Jets defeated the Chargers 41-29 behind a strong running game and opportunistic defense. It was a true ground & pound effort as the Jets held the ball for over 36 minutes to keep the high powered Chargers offense off the field. The team gained over 250 yards rushing on the day, led by Freeman McNeil with 120 yards and one touchdown. Dwayne Crutchfield added 53 yards on the ground and another TD. Rookie Johnny Hector only had 1 carry, but he made his first NFL rushing attempt count, as he went for 42 yards. The defense added 4 takeaways, including interceptions of Dan Fouts by Lance Mehl and Johnny Lynn.
QB Richard Todd was solid, not needing to do too much, Todd completed 17 of 29 passes for 160 yards with 2 TDs and 1 interception.
The game was not without controversy. Midway through the 4th quarter, Fouts would hit WR Bobby Duckworth on a 29 yard TD pass that cut the Jets lead to 27-22. The ensuing kickoff was re-played after referee Red Cashion realized that NBC was still in a commercial break. Red Cashion had signaled the ball in play, but whistled the play dead with the ball in the air. Kirk Springs returned the 2nd kickoff 64 yards against a gassed SD coverage team to set the Jets up at the Chargers 30. A few plays later, Todd hit McNeil with an 18-yard TD toss.
After the game, SD Coach Don Coryell was fuming, “They should never have got the 2nd kick. I never heard of such thing. The referee is in charge,” said Coryell.
“We are not going to go until the TV is ready,” Cashion explained. “They were in a commercial and they were not ready to come back.”
When asked about the controversy, all Joe Walton would say was, “I can’t remember. I forgot. I could make up something, but I won’t.”
