The Argus from Fremont, California • Page 10

49ers claim NFC West crown SAN FRANCISCO (UPI)- Quarterback-John-Brodfe, in his finest hour of.a 15-year pro career, threw three touchdown passes Sunday and ran 10 yards for the winning score in a see-saw battle with Detroit as San Francisco 49ers defeated the Lions 31-27 and won a spot in the NFL playoffs. The victory was San Francisco's ninth compared to five losses and it gave Ihe 49ers the NFC West title by a half game over the Los Angeles Rams. Brodie threw scoring passes of 12 yards to Dick Witcher, 10 to Ken Willard and 30 to Gene Washington to.run his career total to 202. That made him only the seventh quarterback in pro history with 200 or more scoring passes. With the Uons in front 27-24 early in'the fourth quarter, the possession on Del Total lint First rvshlng- a e.

Flril downs petting First downi by penalty 3 2 Total often, yartage 3:0 J57 Total no. often. 51 67 Av. gain per play i.1 Nel rush, yardage' 134 171 Total rush, plays 33 37 Av. gain per rwsh 4 1 4 4 yardoge IK Gross yds.

gained pa'i. 17a M6 Pass Inter li-9- Average ga'n per pass tj Punlvaverage a blocked 0 0 tumbles-ban Icsl 0-0 Penal-ydi. 5.35 Total ret. yd IK 134 No arid yds. punt ret 1-7 No.

and yds. kick ret 4-ltt 5-190 ard yds. Were, ret 1-23 1'7 No. a yds. rel 0 0 Third down efficiency 1-12 Fourth down efficiency 0-1 0-T INDIVIDUAL HUSHING DETROIT Itttf Icb yds av Ick av Owe.T» Sf 3.7 Willard 15 J.4 Taylor 51 i Schrber 7 t.Q Landry 5 5.0VWeth.

14 31 2.7 Fare I to Brodie 10 McCuU'di 1 INDIVIDUAL. PASSIIK DETROIT aTEtt a a I Landry IB 9 1 IftSBrodte a 14 1 Itt. INDIVIDUAL KICilVINO DETROIT atfJRS Walton Sandvn Taytor Jessie pc yds MO WaXi 1 OWIICher 2 37 KwaHck 2 1 Writord -2 0 Schre'ber I 5 8V. 3 71 I 3 37 1 3 0 3 I 1 Klsce Det--f Mann 31 SF-Wikher 13 PM Iron (Gasselt Del-FG Gntelt 39' SF--Willard 14 pwi from fck) nin (Mam Dtt-Owtns I (Mann Uckl 5F-G. Washington JJ pan from Irodle (Gossett kick) paos fnm Landry SF-- Brcoie ID run (Goscett kick) the Detroit 40 and went the distance for the winning score as Brodie scampered up.the middle untouched on a broken pass play.

Detroit gambled on fourth down at its own 40 inches short of a first down and failed when the San Frandsco defense stacked up quarterback Greg Landry. That proved to be the break the 49ers needed in a game during which each' side had little trouble scoring. After Brodie ran for the. winning TD, the San Francisco defense forced the Lion to punt. The 49ers took over on their own IS and Brodie killed 7:92 with a running game that carried all the way to the.

Detroit 24. The 49ers failed to get first down on fourth down and Detroit took over with 1:35 to go. Then Frank Nunley intercepted Landry on the first play and the 49ers killed the clock to gain their must victory. Bruce booted' a field goal for, San Francisco's other points. Detroit scored on a 14-yard run by Altie Taylor, a one-yard smash by Steve Owens, who easily went over the.

yard mark for the season, i six-yard pass from Landry to Charlie Sanders and field goals of 31 and 39 yards by Errbl Mann. Landry went into tfae game needing only 19 rushing yards for -the all-time quarterback record and he easily broke the old mark of 523 held by Tobin Rote of Green Bay and set In 1950'. completed 14 of passes for IK yards and the three TDs gave him a total of 18 for the year. The 49ers piled up 357 yards total offense, only 47 more than the Lions, who finished the year with a disappointing record. The 49ers took a 17-13 lead in the first half but the Lions moved ahead 20-17 when they took the opening second half yards for.a TD.

Then Brodie connected with Washington for a 24-21 lead the Lions moved ahead at 27-24 late in the third quarter and then Brodie wound up the scoring with his touchdown nin to complete his best day the year. Finnl NFL lr U-nW Intimatlim x-Mlaoil Y'-BfUirmn NY Jets New England Buffalo x-cievelaod PFHsburoh Eart wt ra. 10 3 I 10 i 5 0 i I 0 Loud 113 0 .071 HY Glanh a 4 Bt 339 Bay 410 x-KansasClty Oakland Sao ofego Denver II 3 4 Ceatm I 5 I 4 Wed I 1 i tact. a pa 8I 3 M3 OsllK 31 SI. Low's fonly game i ResMIs Allarla 23 Hew Orlesm 20 Kansas City 22 Buffalo 9 NY Jelj 35 21 Cleveland 'a Washington ra Stn Francisco 31 Oetroll 27 Miami 27 Green Bay Losvlnaertj 23 Pittsburgh 14 M'Anesots 27 Chicago 10 Wen x-San fftn i Kt.

ef Lot Angeln 10 3 I 1 4 2 MiwOrHam 4 2 0 .471311341 x-ClkxtlK) DivUton I 1 ITS y-CUncMd Playoff Spot ErelandTl Baltimore Oakland 21 Denver 13 PMIedttpM41 NYGIantolt Houftai JJSan Diego a (only scrwduM) Dallas MVnnoU Miami at Ctty BaUImore at Clmiantf WashlAglon at San FnMCJKa Unbeaten in last five Seals deadlock 3-3 SAN FRANCISCO it to old-pro Brodie to nvetfae best for tast "it was the only way to tablet's face it," John wear- to admitted after firing three touchdown passes and then riming-10 yank for the win- icore as the Fran- ebco beat Detroit, 31-27, a Candlestick ftrk to gain the Super Bowl playoffs hare hurt to get Mo the (layoffs by not play- ktf well in the test game. But I think the ruial'y that they're as eatable as the "So now everybody is.M Ming to the playoffs. Whether you got In at 9-S, or 1-5-1 or what doesn't matter. Here it's 14 and then 24 or you're oat." John continued to deny that he's turned into a running quarterback despite his lt- jrard scamper hr the victory with 4:58 gone in the ri- al period. was a lot of guys coming in on ine, so 1.

just look off and ran because would have been foolish to throw, with everybody covered. 1 pumped that one time to see If I could get aomebody loose. I was the one." John acknowledged that be was pleased with his day in passing, which amounted to 14 of yards and three touchdowns, one in each of the first three periods, after having his first throw of the day intercepted by Lent Barney at the Detroit 35 to lead to the Lions getting a in the first five minutes. "Right knew I'd have to be. on But give credit'to Ihe receivers, like (Dick) Wttdier, They did Ihe job of getting open." Witcher revealed 'that he and Gene.

Washington had more success than usual against the: because "we forced them out'of a tight zone into a safety zone, almost like man for''man. Both Owe and I Bee' that a lot more, although, I for one, have great respect for comer- backs like Barney." The said they were hafry'with the game's outcome but promised a tighter reign.on the Redskins after being caught twice bi-btttz situations for long passes from Greg Landry to a Walton end Earl McCullouch that set up touch, downs. that kept the game see-sawing back and forth until the final stanza. Happy days are here again Saa Francisco 49ers coach Dick Nolan is hoisted on shoulders of jubilant players after 49ers' big win over Detroit, 31-27. Joining in' the celebration are Jim Sniadecki (58), and John Isenbarger (17).

49ers must now meet Washington at Candlestick Park Sunday in first round of divisional playoffs. Page 10 December 20, 1971 Raiders whip Denver 21-13 J. i OAKLAND (UPI) Oakland beat Denver 21-13 Sunday with the aid of 67-yard touchdown pass while running back Floyd LitUe of the Broncos and Fred BUetnikoff of the Raiders cUncbed pro- football's rushing and pass- catching titles for 197L Daryle Lamonica bit tight end Ray Chester on the long scoring pass in the first period, arid runomgback Charlie. Smith, hampered: aH season, long by injuries, scored 'OD a ooe-yard. run in the second period to give Oakland a haktime lead.

Banasaak piuHged over from the two with remaining to cap the scoring for Oakland after the Raiders got the ball on the Denver when Bill Van Heusen's pass on fourth down was incomplete. Jim Turner kicked a 14- yard field goal with 1:51 remaining in the first period and tooted a 29-yarder with 8:07 remaining. A pass interception by safety Charlie Greer set up the first field goal, and tackle Tom Domres recovered a fumble prior to the other three-pointer. Quarterback Steve Ramsey guided.th« Broncos H.yards in 10 plays to score their only touchdown seconds remaining. Ramsey hit Clem Turner on a seven-yard.

TD toss. Little gained 79 yards in 24 carries to end up with 1,133 for the season. That gave him the rushing title in the American Football Conference for the second straight year and also was' the best rushing mark'in pro-football for the season. Green Bay's John Brbckington was the rurmerup with 1,104 yards. BUetnikoff, wide receiver of the Raiders, ended up as the top pass catcher in pro-football with two receptions for 32 yards in the first half.

The former Florida. State star wound up with a for the season, two more than of New-York' and four better than Oils Taylor of Kansas City. The Raiders opened the scoring when Denver corner- back Bill Thompson slipped and feU while trying to cover Chester on long bomb. Oakland then marched 74 yards bi 12 plays to increase Its lead to 14-13 on Smith's short run. A 25-yard pass interference call against cor- herback Leroy Mitchell gave the Raiders the ball on the Denver six during the drive.

Mitchell absolved himself with 40 seconds kft in the first half when be intercepted a Lamonica pass in the end noe. Mitchell aiw pilfered Lamonica'aerial on the Denver one 5:17 left. The Raiders' defense put up a terrific goalline stand late In the first half by stopping the Broncos on the two. The Broncos drove 59 yards to the Raiders' one but Oakland refused 'to yield on three run- nlng plays and an incomplete pass. 1 ran fBliadbi Oakland closed the with an record while Denver floiatad at very simple 9 Why no Raider title OAKLAND (UPI)-The Cal' ifornia Seals battled back from a two-goal deficit to' tie the Montreal Canadiens, 3-3, Sunday night in an inter- divisional National Hockey League game.

The Canadiens remained three points behind East division New York and tied with Boston for second. Rangers and Bruins played lo respective ties Sunday night. Meanwhile, California its third place position in the West division, two points in front of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Wayne Carleton, who earlier had performed in superi- or fashion as a checker and penalty killer, boomed a 40-fobler from the left side in Sccre by cefkdt: Montreal California I I V-3 Flril period --1. Montreal, 11 (f.

Mahovtchl I. MaotreU, Rithwd Pe-iaMies RtJmcod S. Hanovl'Kh Tardif Aperrlro Pindtr ftt'tcd --3. California, McKech- r4e 5 4. California, Giberlsc.i n'e) 5.

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the second minute of play of the final period to gain the deadlock for California. Jacques Lemaire, at 15 seconds, Henri Richard at 2:36 of the first period, gave, the Canadiens a 2-0 lead. But the Seals defense tightened and Walt McKechnie a 15-footer at 0:32 of the middle period and 1 i a Sam Girbertson tipped in Paul Snmyr's point shot at 12:13 to deadlock the score. Claude Larose bounced a off Seals goakender Giles Meloche's pads and the puck trickled over, the line at 17:38 to put Montreal In front again until Carlefon tied it. The Seals remained unbeaten in their last five.games, which includes four ties while the Canadiens, who had won two in a row previous to Sunday night, have a 6-1-1 record in the last eight.

Herming 1st twice WEST ALLIS, Wis. (UPI)Ann Henning, a K-year-old i school junior from 1 Morthbrook, Sunday took first place in two speed skating events in qualifying races to decide America's representatives in the 1972 winter Olympics. Br6IU.XH.IOAY OAKLAND Oakland Raider coach John Madden be-' lieves in the naked eye. "The reason we didn't win and go to the playoffs this year was right there on the surface for all to see," he said. "We lost to Kansas City.

That's the reason, plain and sfenpte. It aU boiled down to one game and maybe to one play." That "one game" was last week and the Raiders lost it M-14 to end four straight years reign as 'AFC Western Division champions. Yesterday, the Raiders broke their three game losing streak, however, whipping the Denver Broncos, 21-13 in the season finale. "We really wanted this win," said Madden. "We wanted it even though there was no tomorrow for us.

We wanted to end the losing skein and start winning again. "I know that doesn't sound like much compared to past. But you hive to realize that ki three years (the extent of Madden's coaching regime) we have only tat one regular season game in our division. And that was fast week in Kansas Gty." Madden praised the efforts NFL playoffs NEW YODK Iimil tim and tiftwj far rexr Nffenal FMfbaM efayoff CAT. IMC.

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of his injury riddled team in the against Denver. "I'm not the type to talk about how proud I am of the figrit in our boys, but this was the kind of game it.would have been very easy to be 'down' for. -We weren't." The Raiders pulled a new trick out of their offensive bag yesterday. They inserted two tight ends--second-stronger Bob Moore joining regular Ray Chester. Then, the Raiders frequently split Chester out to one side, opposite to prevent the from overloading their defense.

Chester wound up catching a 67-yard TD pass from Daryle Lamonica yesterday for the game's first score. He later dropped a bomb that would have been a Ttyard TD if caught. "I feel badly for myself, but ever worse for Daryle," a i Chester in apology. "Daryte's had his troubles this year. That really hurt." Lamonica shrugged: sort of thing will happen.

all evens'out. Sometimes the receivers make great catches and make the quarterback took good. And Chester is a great athlete." Blanda: 'not right now' OAKiJAND (UPI) -Quarterback George Blanda, the man" of the Oakland Raiders, Sunday poo-poohed any thoughts of immediate retirement. "il dont know where some of you guys come up with 'hat baloney," the graying signal-caller toid a' cluster of newsmen following Oakland's season-ending victory over Denver. Blanda, pro football's all-time top scorer with points, indicated he may return for his 23rd pro season in 1972.

He denied qtfotes attributed to him earlier in the week that he planned to retire at the end of this season. "Oh, no, I still plan to keep playing," he said. Asked if there may be an announcement regarding his future in the next few weeks, Blanda replied: "There'll be nothing tor awhile." AI Davis, managing general partner of the Raiders, also expressed surprise concerning rumors about Bianda's possible retirement. "I never talked to him about this situation," said Davis. DerpHe being the oldest active player in pro foofeaH, Bfanda managed to complete 32 of 56 passes for a fine 56.2 percentage this season.

Although he did not see play-calling action Sunday, he kicked three extra points to give him points for Ihe season. native of Youngwood, Blanda'joined the Chicago Bears in after an All America-career at the Unrver- srty of Kentucky. He bier played seven seasons with the Houston Oilers before being traded to Oakland In 1967. Shaking 1 San Francisco's Vk Washington uses both arms and legs to try to avert tackle by unidentifiable Lion during title-clinching game yes- terday. Washington took a John Brodie screen paan and muscled his way for six yards before being wrestled down.

49ers won, 31-27. West coast squads' tale Southern Cal fared the best; Washington State gave it a fine try and California never got on the That's the way those three West Cocet teams spent the weekend at basketball tournaments away from home. U8C established ilseVf as a solid contender to UCLA's long domination of the Paiific4 Conference by Dealing Kansas 8777 for the Jayhawk Classic title In Lawrence, Kan. The Cal Beers went to Ihe Kentucky Invitational with a 3-1 record and tot to Princeton on Friday and to Missouri Saturday night. The unbeaten Washington Huskies also showed they are ready-to challenge UCLA by roiling to their sixth straight victory, over Kansas Slate br the second win in 'two; nights over the Wildcats.

i a ttpoint per' formance from guard Claude Stanford broke a three-game losing string by a i cold-shooting San Jose State.lWJ. In other games, the University of Pacific won its straight game at home by thumping San Fernando Valley State while shooting 56 per cent; Byron Jones hit 23 points to lead Francisco past Loyola of Chicago 17-73 for third place in the Sun Bowl; Sophomore William (Bird) Averitt taxied 31 points as Ptpperdioe downed South st. Mary's rallied from a four- point deficit in Ihe final four minutes to edge Southern Oregon 5M2 and Nevada-Las Vegas survived a 35-pDint explosion by Portland Stale's Willie Stoudamire by scon'no nine straight points jn the last two minutes to defeat the Missouri and Cal snapped the lead 10 limes in Ihe first haV which ended wilh Ihe gers on top by one point'. Bui Tigers oulscored the Bears 4MS in ths second half, leading by as much as points at one lime. Harry Brown buckeled 17 points lo top Cal and teammate jjh Coughran added ifi..