On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 18 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC) and Bruce Hurst (Dixie UT J.C.) made news as MLB pitchers on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 18
RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup basketball player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) traded by the New York Mets to the St. Louis Cardinals in an eight-player swap in 1971.
Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) notched a 1-0 victory against the New York Mets in the 1986 World Series opener.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 17 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Clark and Tony Gwynn made MLB postseason competition news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 17
RF George Altman (appeared in 1953 and 1954 NAIA Basketball Tournament with Tennessee State) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) started decisive Game 7 of the 1979 World Series but wasn't involved in the decision (4-1 win against Baltimore Orioles).
New York Yankees 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) contributed his only RBI in 37 postseason at-bats (against Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of 2004 ALCS).
Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting hoops center for Colby ME) outdueled Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson, 3-2, in 11-inning Game 3 of the 1911 World Series against the New York Giants.
Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Louisiana-Lafayette during World War II) fired as Oakland A's manager in 1975.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) stroked two doubles off New York Yankees P Catfish Hunter in Game 6 of the 1978 World Series.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) secured three hits, including his lone postseason homer, in the opener of the 1998 World Series against the New York Yankees.
LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg), winner of the 2000 ALCS MVP award, contributed a three-run homer to help the New York Yankees defeat the Seattle Mariners, 9-7.
RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) registered a hold for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the 1993 World Series but yielded his only run in 11 career postseason relief appearances.
After winning the opener of the 1911 World Series, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) took a shutout into the ninth inning in Game 3 when 3B John Baker belted a contest-tying homer for the Philadelphia Athletics, who went on to win in the 11th frame. The clutch blast helped him become known as "Home Run" Baker.
RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago Cubs in 1962.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) notched a save in decisive Game 7 of the 1979 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 16 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Donn Clendenon (Morehouse GA) and Ken Singleton (Hofstra) supplied significant World Series hitting performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 16
In Game 5, 1B Donn Clendenon (played basketball for Morehouse GA) homered in his third consecutive appearance against the Baltimore Orioles to help power the New York Mets to the 1969 World Series title.
Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the New York Yankees in 1961.
1B Dick Siebert (Concordia-St. Paul MN hooper in 1929 and 1930) traded by the Philadelphia Athletics to the St. Louis Browns in 1945.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) supplied his second three-hit game in the 1979 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 15 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Three former college hoopers from Oklahoma schools - Jerry Adair (Oklahoma State), Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State) and Don Kaiser (East Central) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 15
2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) selected from the Boston Red Sox by the Kansas City Royals in 1968 expansion draft.
New York Yankees rookie RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) went the distance, striking out eight Los Angeles Dodgers batters in a 12-2 success, in Game 5 of the 1978 World Series.
LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) knocked in the tying run with an eighth-inning, pinch-hit double off Hall of Fame P Walter Johnson and scored the go-ahead tally as the Pittsburgh Pirates upended the Washington Senators, 9-7, in Game 7 of the 1925 World Series.
OF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) purchased from the New York Yankees by the Kansas City Athletics in 1956.
In 1957, 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Giants for 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s).
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) won decisive Game 7 against the New York Yankees in the 1964 World Series.
Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) stepped down as Philadelphia Phillies manager to become general manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1981.
OF Hinkey Haines (Penn State hoops letterman in 1919-20 and 1920-21) scored the tying run as a pinch-runner in the eighth inning as the New York Yankees came from behind with three tallies to beat the New York Giants, 6-4, and clinch the 1923 World Series.
RHP Rich Hand (averaged 6.2 ppg for Puget Sound WA in 1967-68) shipped by the California Angels to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974 to complete an earlier deal.
Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) fired as Cleveland Indians manager in 1999.
Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg in 1961-62 with Texas A&M) supplied a postseason career-high three hits, including a pair of run-producing safeties, against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 5 of the 1970 World Series.
In 2001 ALDS, OF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) whacked a pinch-hit homer to help the New York Yankees defeat the Oakland A's and become the first team ever to capture a best-of-5 series after dropping the first two contests at home.
RHP Don Kaiser (one semester on hoops scholarship at East Central OK) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to the Detroit Tigers in 1959.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) notched three RBI in each of three ALCS games against the Oakland Athletics in 1981.
Utilityman Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) selected by the Kansas City Royals from Minnesota Twins as 19th pick in 1968 expansion draft.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) earned the save in a 6-4 verdict over the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the 1980 World Series.
New York Yankees RHP Rollie Sheldon (third-leading scorer as sophomore for Connecticut's 1960 NCAA Tournament team) retired all six St. Louis Cardinals batters he faced in Game 7 of the 1964 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 14 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Three former college hoopers from Kentucky schools - Steve Hamilton (Morehead State), Sweet Lou Johnson (Kentucky State) and David Justice (Thomas More) - supplied significant MLB postseason competition performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 14
Montreal Expos RHP Ray Burris (Southwestern Oklahoma State basketball player) hurled a shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of 1981 NLCS. Five days later in Game 5, Burris yielded only five hits in eight innings.
1B Donn Clendenon (Morehouse GA hooper) selected from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the Montreal Expos in 1968 expansion draft.
RF Walt French (hoops letterman for Rutgers and Army) struck out as a pinch-hitter but the Philadelphia Athletics rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to edge the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series.
RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the San Diego Padres as the third pick in 1968 expansion draft.
New York Yankees LHP Steve Hamilton (Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) saved Game 6 in the 1964 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals after replacing starter Jim Bouton.
San Francisco Giants LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 as sophomore in 1977-78 under ETSU coach Sonny Smith) lost decisive Game 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1987 NLCS.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bobby Humphreys (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Hampden-Sydney VA in 1958) hurled a scoreless inning of relief against the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the 1964 World Series.
New York Yankees OF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered in a 5-0 win against the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of 2000 ALCS.
Toiling on two days rest, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled a three-hit shutout in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins. Supporting Koufax with a fourth-inning homer was LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52).
OF Rusty Kuntz (J.C. hooper for Cuesta CA) supplied a sacrifice fly in the fifth and decisive game for the champion Detroit Tigers in the 1984 World Series against the San Diego Padres.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dave Leonhard (averaged 4.8 ppg with Johns Hopkins MD in 1961-62) hurled a scoreless inning of relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 5 of the 1971 World Series.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) delivered the game-winning safety in the bottom of the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2002 NLCS to send the San Francisco Giants to the World Series.
In Game 5, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed his third shutout against the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) banged out a postseason career-high three hits, including a three-run homer, in a 7-6 decision over the Kansas City Royals in the opener of the 1980 World Series.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) singled twice in a seven-run fourth inning in Game 2 of the 1981 ALCS against the Oakland A's to become the first player ever to collect two safeties in a single frame in LCS competition.
LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1965-66) notched a save in Game 2 of the 1973 World Series when the New York Mets outlasted the Oakland A's, 10-7, in 12 innings.
INF Gary Sutherland (Southern California's fifth-leading scorer in 1963-64 when averaging 7.4 ppg) selected from the Philadelphia Phillies by the Montreal Expos in 1968 expansion draft.
1B-OF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) purchased from the Brooklyn Dodgers by the Chicago Cubs for $100,000 in 1949.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 13 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former hoopers from current power-conference members - Dave Giusti (Syracuse), Frank Howard (Ohio State), Jim Lyttle (Florida State), Eppa Rixey (Virginia) and Tim Stoddard (North Carolina State) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 13
Los Angeles Dodgers RF Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff basketball team) smacked a homer off Oakland Athletics P Vida Blue, accounting for the game-winning hit in a 3-2 triumph in Game 2 of the 1974 World Series.
Unscored upon in all seven postseason relief appearances covering 9 2/3 innings, Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) earned a save in Game 4 of the 1971 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.
1B Gail Hopkins (averaged 2.5 ppg for Pepperdine in 1963-64) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Kansas City Royals in 1970.
Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) fired as San Diego Padres manager in 1981.
Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) jacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 6 of the 1992 NLCS.
OF Jim Lyttle (Florida State free-throw shooting leader in 1965-66 when averaging 12.4 ppg) traded by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1971.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B-OF Len Matuszek (Toledo starter for hoops squad compiling 18-7 record in 1975-76) collected his lone postseason hit, a pinch single against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the 1985 NLCS.
3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) hit a three-run, first-inning double to spark the New York Yankees to a 3-1 victory against the Oakland A's in the 1981 ALCS opener. Nettles' spectacular defense highlighted a 5-1 triumph for the Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series. Nettles whacked two homers in Game 4 of the 1976 ALCS for the Yankees but they weren't enough to prevent a 7-4 loss against the Kansas City Royals.
Philadelphia Phillies LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1912 and 1914) allowed two homers in 6 2/3 innings in a 5-4 defeat against the Boston Red Sox in Game 5 of the 1915 World Series.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) won Game 4 as a reliever against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1979 World Series.
In his final MLB and only World Series at-bat, San Diego Padres OF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) fanned as a pinch-hitter against a former teammate (Jack Morris of Detroit Tigers) in Game 4 of the 1984 WS.
CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) smacked a two-run single to help the Pittsburgh Pirates outlast the New York Yankees, 10-9, in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 12 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Bob Gibson (Creighton) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) supplied superb World Series pitching performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 12
INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State basketball letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) traded by the New York Mets to the Cleveland Indians in 1966.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) won decisive Game 7 against the Boston Red Sox in the 1967 World Series. Gibson helped his cause with a homer. Three years earlier, Gibson whiffed 13 batters in a 10-inning, 5-2 win against the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the 1964 WS.
New York Yankees OF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) socked a homer in a 10-7 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of the 2004 ALCS.
In Game 3, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) tossed his second of three shutouts against the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) yielded back-to-back homers to LF George Foster and C Johnny Bench to start the ninth inning as the Cincinnati Reds came from behind to win, 7-6, and sweep their 1976 NLDS.
Detroit Tigers RHP Jeff Robinson (two-time NAIA All-District 3 honoree in early 1980s left Azusa Pacific CA as school's No. 9 all-time scorer) made his lone postseason appearance, hurling 1/3 of an inning against the Minnesota Twins in Game 5 of the 1987 ALCS.
Toronto Blue Jays DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) walloped a homer but it was in vain as the Oakland A's avoided elimination with a 6-2 Game 5 victory in the 1992 ALCS.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 11 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Two former hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - Clyde Barnhart (Shippensburg) and Dick Hall (Swarthmore) - made World Series news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 11
In 1925, Pittsburgh Pirates LF Clyde Barnhart (played basketball for Shippensburg PA predecessor Cumberland Valley State Normal School prior to World War I) went hitless for the only time in 11 World Series games.
In 1948, SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) doubled for the third consecutive World Series contest with the champion Cleveland Indians in Game 6 against the Boston Braves.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) earned a victory by fanning eight New York Yankees batters in 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief in Game 4 of the 1964 World Series.
RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) traded by the Houston Astros to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968.
In 1971, Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 12.8 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 with Swarthmore PA for three Southern Division champions in MASC) earned a save in Game 2 of the World Series for the second straight season.
RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) traded by the New York Giants to the Philadelphia Phillies for P Stu Miller in 1956.
INF Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) was the on-deck batter in Japan in 1976 when Sadaharu Oh stroked his 715th homer to pass Babe Ruth's mark. Incredibly, Johnson was also the next hitter in April 1974 when Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron hammered his 715th round-tripper.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled a four-hit shutout in Game 5 of the 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) whacked a homer but it wasn't enough to prevent a 5-3 defeat against the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the 1998 ALCS.
Rookie RF Bud Metheny (William & Mary hoops letterman from 1935-36 through 1937-38) supplied his lone World Series hit by singling in a 2-0 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 to help the New York Yankees clinch the 1943 title.
Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 4-3 triumph against the Oakland Athletics in Game 4 of the 1972 ALCS.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 10 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Two former hoopers from Iowa small colleges - Davey Lopes (Iowa Wesleyan) and Paul Splittorff (Morningside) - supplied significant MLB postseason competition performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 10 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 10
Texas Rangers RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) registered the victory in Game 2 of the 2011 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers after posting holds in his first four postseason relief appearance that year.
OF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) and LHP Jim Mooney (hooper for East Tennessee State) traded by the New York Giants to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1932.
Increasing his hitting streak in World Series competition to eight in a row, Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (hoops letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) banged out two doubles among three safeties against the New York Giants in Game 4 of 1913 World Series.
1B Kevin "Chuck" Connors (scored 32 points in 15 varsity games for Seton Hall in 1941-42 before leaving school for military service) traded by the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Chicago Cubs in 1950. Connors, star of the television series The Rifleman, gained critical acclaim playing the role of a slave owner in the TV mini-series Roots (1977).
In the 1961 expansion draft, the New York Mets selected RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) from the Los Angeles Dodgers, OF John DeMerit (hoops letterman for Wisconsin in 1956-57) from the Milwaukee Braves, 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) from the Dodgers and RHP Jay Hook (Northwestern's third-leading scorer with 10.7 ppg as sophomore in 1955-56) from the Cincinnati Reds. The same expansion draft also had the Houston Colt .45s selecting 1B-OF Dick Gernert (letterman with Temple in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) from the Reds and RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia's hoops captain in 1951-52) from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72 when Rick Pitino and Al Skinner were members of hoop program) won the 1979 World Series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
New York Yankees rookie OF Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) made his lone World Series at-bat in 1923 opener against the New York Giants.
Los Angeles Dodgers LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) lashed a Game 4 homer in a 7-2 win against the Minnesota Twins in the 1965 World Series.
Brooklyn Dodgers C Ernie Krueger (Lake Forest IL hoops captain graduated in 1915) collected his only World Series hit (against Cleveland Indians in Game 5 in 1920).
OF Joe Lahoud (hoops letterman for New Haven CT in mid-1960s) traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Milwaukee Brewers in a 10-player swap in 1971.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) reached base five times with three hits and two walks against the Seattle Mariners in the opener of the 1995 ALCS.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as All-Iowa Conference freshman selection in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) collected two homers and five RBI in an 11-5 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 1978 World Series.
In decisive Game 7, Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) tossed his second five-hit win in the 1939 World Series in City Series against the Cubs.
Boston Braves RF Les Mann (Springfield MA hooper in 1913 and 1914) drove in only run of opening game of 1914 World Series with RBI single off Eddie Plank of the Philadelphia Athletics in top of ninth inning.
Houston Astros RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) hurled 10 shutout innings in winning his first postseason game (against Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of 1980 NLCS).
Los Angeles Dodgers CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stroked a pinch two-run double in the 1978 World Series opener against the New York Yankees. North contributed only one more hit in 24 other career at-bats in WS competition.
Breaking up a scoreless duel in Game 7 of the 1968 World Series, Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) stroked a decisive seventh-inning triple off St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57). Gibson won his previous seven WS starts.
Washington Senators RHP Curly Ogden (Swarthmore PA hoops center in 1919, 1920 and 1922) started Game 7 of the 1924 World Series as a decoy to get Bill Terry out of the New York Giants' lineup.
New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling a 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled a complete game and knocked in the decisive run with a double in a 2-1 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the 1943 World Series.
1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) smashed a grand slam to help the New York Yankees win Game 7 of the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) won Game 2 of the 1976 ALCS with 5 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the New York Yankees.
Philadelphia Athletics SS Dib Williams (Hendrix AR hooper in mid-1920s) delivered his third two-hit outing of the 1931 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 9 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former college hoopers Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) hurled World Series shutouts on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 9 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 9
C Benny Bengough (Niagara basketball letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) secured a hit for the third straight 1928 World Series game to help the New York Yankees sweep the St. Louis Cardinals.
Boston Red Sox LHP Ray Collins (Vermont hoops letterman in 1907 and 1908) started Game 2 of the 1912 World Series against the New York Giants when they tied, 6-6, in a contest called after 11 innings.
Before a crowd of 81,897, CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) contributed the first homer of the 1948 World Series to spark the Cleveland Indians to a 2-1 victory against the Boston Braves in Game 4.
Boston Red Sox RHP Boo Ferriss (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1941) hurled a 4-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the 1946 World Series.
New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) provided his fourth multiple-hit outing in first five World Series games in 1951 against the New York Yankees.
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) contributed two hits, two runs and two RBI in a 7-3 win against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1937 World Series.
In the first World Series utilizing a seven-game format, New York Giants Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) blanked the Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0, in the opener of the all-shutout 1905 World Series. Mathewson also tossed whitewashes in Game 3 and Game 5.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Paul Popovich (teammate of Jerry West for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) hit safely in all three 1974 NLCS games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite yielding only one earned run in 9 2/3 innings in two starts against the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer in early 1930s for Mount Morris IL) lost his lone World Series decision (3-1 in Game 6 in 1944).
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) went 3-for-3, including two extra-base hits, and scored the decisive run in a 3-2 triumph against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 1992 NLCS.
St. Louis Cardinals C Dave Ricketts (three-year starter led Duquesne in scoring senior season with 17.9 ppg in 1956-57) registered his lone World Series hit with a pinch single off Detroit Tigers P Denny McLain in Game 6 in 1968.
St. Louis Cardinals RF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) hit safely in all three of 1931 World Series games he started against the Philadelphia Athletics.
Boston Red Sox RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) hurled 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in Game 4 of 1988 ALCS against the Oakland Athletics.
CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) stroked a two-run single propelling the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1960 World Series.
Washington Senators LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) hurled a complete-game, 2-1 win against the New York Giants in Game 6 of the 1924 World Series. Zachary also won Game 2.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 8 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Three former hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - George Earnshaw (Swarthmore), Danny Litwhiler (Bloomsburg) and Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) - supplied significant World Series performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 8 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 8
INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State basketball letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) scored a run as pinch-runner on Chuck Hiller's seventh-inning grand slam in 7-3 Game 4 triumph in 1962 World Series against the New York Yankees.
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hooper for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) delivered three doubles against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1951 World Series.
RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922), clearly the pitching standout of the 1930 World Series, carried the Philadelphia Athletics to a decisive 7-1 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals.
RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the California Angels in 1968.
New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) supplied his fourth multiple-hit game in 1922 World Series to finish with a .471 batting average for champions in five outings against the New York Yankees.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) hurled a five-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the 1967 World Series.
San Francisco Giants C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) supplied a go-ahead homer off Whitey Ford in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1962 World Series.
RHP Oral Hildebrand (All-American hooper for Butler in 1928-29 and 1929-30) hurled four scoreless innings as the New York Yankees' starter in Game 4 of the 1939 World Series when they swept the Cincinnati Reds.
Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) secured a 9-2 victory against the California Angels in Game 2 of the 1986 ALCS.
New York Yankees RF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) broke up a scoreless duel with a seventh-inning homer en route to a 7-4 success against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 4 of the 1939 World Series.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) delivered a homer and double in a 2-0 win against the St. Louis Browns in Game 5 of the 1944 World Series.
Chicago Cubs CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) supplied four hits against the Florida Marlins in Game 2 of the 2003 NLCS.
In Game 2, RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) hurled a 10-inning shutout for the New York Giants' lone victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1913 World Series.
LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) capped off a six-run, fourth-inning eruption with a two-run homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 1959 World Series crown with a 9-3 triumph against the Chicago White Sox in Game 6.
RHP Roy Parmelee (hoops letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago Cubs in 1936.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) provided a pair of doubles in a 5-1 win against the New York Giants in Game 3 of the 1937 World Series.
New York Yankees LF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) delivered a triple among his postseason career-high three hits in a 3-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the 1981 ALDS.
Kansas City Royals RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) fanned seven Houston Astros batters in four innings of relief in the opener of 2015 ALDS.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 7 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Two former hoopers from West Virginia small colleges - Greasy Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan) and Joe Niekro (West Liberty) - supplied significant postseason competition performances for N.L. teams on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 7
Joe Adcock (LSU's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) never had an extra-base hit in 28 World Series at-bats, but the Milwaukee Braves 1B drove in the only run of Game 5 in 1957 with a single off New York Yankees Hall of Fame P Whitey Ford.
New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) reached base five times with two hits and three walks against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1921 World Series.
Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected three doubles in an 8-4 win against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the 1945 World Series.
In 2001, Hall of Fame OF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) played final game of his 20-year career for the San Diego Padres. Seventeen years earlier, Gwynn's two-run double put the Padres ahead to stay in a 6-3 triumph against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the 1984 NLCS.
In Game 7, Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) went hitless again against the New York Yankees and finished 0-for-21 in the 1952 World Series.
1B-OF Doug Howard (All-WAC second-team selection with Brigham Young in 1968-69 and 1969-70) shipped by the California Angels to the St. Louis Cardinals to complete an earlier deal in 1974.
New York Yankees RF Charlie Keller (three-year hoops letterman with Maryland from 1934-35 through 1936-37) clobbered two homers in a 7-3 win at Cincinnati in Game 3 of the 1939 World Series.
Kansas City Royals DH Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) scored two runs in a 6-2 victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1977 ALCS.
Chicago White Sox 3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for BYU from 1974-75 through 1976-77) knocked in his lone postseason run (against Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of 1983 ALCS).
Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) died of tuberculosis in 1925 at the age of 45.
Philadelphia Phillies OF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) sent Game 4 into extra innings with a pinch homer before they bowed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3, in the 1978 NLCS.
Cincinnati Reds RF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) went 3-for-4 for the second time in the first six games of the 1919 World Series against the Chicago White Sox.
Houston Astros RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) hurled eight shutout innings in a 1-0 triumph against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1981 NLDS.
Cincinnati Reds 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) hit safely in first six games of 1940 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.
RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) fanned nine opposing batters in 6 2/3 innings to notch the San Diego Padres' only victory in the 2006 NLCS (3-1 against St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3).
New York Yankees LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) hurled a complete-game, 7-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3 of the 1928 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 6 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Two former small-college hoopers from Pennsylvania - George Earnshaw (Swarthmore) and Joe Ostrowski (Scranton) - supplied significant World Series pitching performances for American League teams on this date. Ditto small-school hoopers from Louisiana - Lee Smith (Northwestern State) and Cecil Upshaw (Centenary) - as relievers in Championship Series competition. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 6
Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) went the distance in whipping the St. Louis Cardinals, 10-4, in Game 4 of the 1934 World Series.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie LHP Stan Baumgartner (hooper for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference champion in 1913-14) closed out the 1914 campaign with a seven-inning shutout against the New York Giants.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1929 game.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) collided with a teammate in Game 4 and was sidelined for the remainder of the 1926 World Series against the New York Yankees.
RHP George Earnshaw (Swarthmore PA hooper in 1922) square the 1931 World Series with a two-hit, 3-0 shutout for the Philadelphia Athletics against the St. Louis Cardinals. The previous year, Earnshaw combined Hall of Famer Lefty Grove for a three-hit shutout against the Cardinals in Game 5 of the 1930 World Series.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in late 1920s) accumulated two doubles among his four hits in a 10-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of 1934 World Series. Six years later, Greenberg's three-run homer opened the scoring in an 8-0 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 5 of the 1940 WS.
3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) whacked a three-run homer to power the Oakland Athletics to a 4-0 triumph against the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the 1981 ALDS.
Despite walking eight batters, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) won his only World Series start (6-2 against New York Yankees in Game 3 in 1951).
LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) outdueled fellow lefthander Whitey Ford as the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the 1963 World Series from the New York Yankees. RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) contributed both of L.A.'s safeties off Ford, including a long homer in the fifth inning.
Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) fired as Los Angeles Dodgers manager in 2000.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) doubled home the tying run in the bottom of the 10th inning and scored on Eddie Mathews' game-winning homer in a 7-5 decision over the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1957 World Series. Yankees 3B Jerry Lumpe (hooper in 1952 NAIA Tournament final for Southwest Missouri State's championship team) hit safely in third consecutive WS outing.
Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) secured his first two of 260 MLB victories by winning both ends of a 1923 doubleheader in relief against the Cleveland Indians.
Billy Martin (Georgetown's runner-up in scoring as sophomore in 1910-11) appeared in his only MLB game, starting at SS for the Boston Braves in nightcap of 1914 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals LHP Jim Mooney (hooper for East Tennessee State) hurled one inning of scoreless relief in Game 4 against the Detroit Tigers in the 1934 World Series.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) posted his 20th triumph of the 1980 season (7-1 against Los Angeles Dodgers in one-game playoff) to propel the Houston Astros to postseason competition for the first time since the franchise started in 1962.
New York Yankees LHP Joe Ostrowski (led Scranton PA in scoring with 15.1 ppg in 1942-43) tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Game 3 of 1951 World Series against the New York Giants.
Los Angeles Dodgers OF Rip Repulski (part-time hoops starter for St. Cloud State MN) received an intentional walk in Game 5 in his only at-bat in the 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) tossed a shutout against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the 1949 World Series. The contest's only RBI was supplied by 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948), who drove in 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41).
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) registered his fourth multiple-hit game in the 1936 World Series against the New York Giants. Rolfe hit .400 in six contests.
Closer Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) lost Game 4 with the Chicago Cubs in the 1984 NLCS and Game 2 with the Boston Red Sox in the 1988 ALCS.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) relieved in each of the first three games against the New York Mets in the 1969 NLCS.
Washington Senators RHP Monte Weaver (hoops center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) toiled 10 1/3 innings before losing, 2-1, against the New York Giants in Game 4 of the 1933 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 5 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Two former hoopers from Kentucky small colleges - "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State) and David Justice (Thomas More) - made MLB postseason competition news on this date. Ditto for a pair of ex-hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - Charlie Gelbert (Lebanon Valley) and Monte Irvin (Lincoln). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 5 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 5
RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading basketball scorer for NYU in 1943-44) won Game 6 of the 1947 World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers when he was helped by Al Gionfriddo's famous catch of New York Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio's long drive to left field.
Minnesota Twins INF John Castino (medical redshirt for Rollins FL in 1973-74 under coach Ed Jucker) closed out 1980 campaign by hitting safely in 13th of last 14 contests.
Milwaukee Braves OF John DeMerit (Wisconsin hoops letterman in 1956-57) served as a pinch-runner in Game 3 of the 1957 World Series.
New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in the opener of the 1921 World Series.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s with Lebanon Valley PA) hit safely in first four World Series games against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1930.
New York Giants INF Eddie Grant (paced Harvard's freshman hoops squad in scoring in 1902 and played varsity as sophomore before declared ineligible for receiving money in independent summer baseball league) died from German shelling in 1918 in the Argonne Forest, France, during WWI while in charge of his battalion after his commanding officer was killed.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection was Washington State's leading rebounder each season from 1992-93 through 1995-96) allowed his only hit in three scoreless relief appearances against the New York Mets in the 2006 NLDS.
1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) went 3-for-3, including a two-run double putting the Brooklyn Dodgers ahead for good, in a 13-8 win against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the 1956 World Series. Three years later in the 1959 WS, Hodges' homer in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Dodgers a 5-4 triumph against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4.
New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) hit safely seven straight times in the 1951 World Series against the New York Yankees.
Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg in 1961-62 with Texas A&M) homered in back-to-back 1970 ALCS games against the Minnesota Twins.
Los Angeles Dodgers RF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52), blanked by Dave McNally and Moe Drabowsky of the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 opener, went hitless for the only time in his last nine World Series contests.
DH David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered off Dwight Gooden to help the Cleveland Indians square their 1997 ALDS at two games apiece with the New York Yankees.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) contributed four hits, including a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning, in a 7-4 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 4 of the 1941 World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as All-Iowa Conference freshman selection in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) contributed a homer and triple while knocking in three runs in a 4-0 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of 1978 NLCS.
CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) accounted for the Philadelphia Phillies' lone run with a homer in a 7-1 setback against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1977 NLCS.
2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) manufactured three hits, scored the Washington Senators' first run and drove in their last two runs in a 4-0 win against the New York Giants in Game 3 of the 1933 World Series.
Atlanta Braves rookie RHP Gary Neibauer (collected 13 points and 9 rebounds in 16 games for Nebraska in 1964-65 under coach Joe Cipriano) hurled a scoreless ninth inning in Game 2 of 1969 NLCS against the New York Mets.
Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (hoops letterman with Millsaps MS in late 1920s and early 1930s) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the 1945 World Series.
RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer during two years he attended Mount Morris IL in early 1930s) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1937 Rule 5 draft.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) lost Game 2 of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees, 2-1, on Joe DiMaggio's leadoff homer in the 10th inning.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) notched the victory in Game 5 of the 1936 World Series against the New York Yankees. Schumacher lost Game 2 three days earlier.
Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) yielded only one hit in combining with Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) for a 4-0 triumph against the Minnesota Twins in 1980.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader named All-Evergreen Conference in 1958-59 and 1959-60) won Game 3 of the 1968 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.
In 1985, RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) became the first New York Yankee to collect 100 RBI and score 100 runs in a single season since Joe DiMaggio in 1942.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 4 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former hoopers from four New York colleges - Hank Greenberg (NYU), Jim Konstanty (Syracuse), Marius Russo (LIU) and Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence) - supplied significant World Series performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 4
RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) helped the Detroit Tigers capture their first World Series in 1935, starting Game 3 against the Chicago Cubs and allowing two earned runs in six innings in a contest Detroit won in extra frames.
In a one-game playoff for the 1948 A.L. pennant, Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out four hits, including two homers, in an 8-3 win at Boston. Boudreau finished the year with only nine strikeouts, the lowest number by any regular since 1922.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) collected three hits, two runs and two stolen bases in a 9-8 triumph against the California Angels in Game 2 of the 1979 ALCS.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Bud Culloton (Fordham hoops letterman from 1919 through 1921) started and yielded only one earned run in five innings but dropped his lone MLB decision (4-1 in nightcap of 1925 doubleheader).
New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) delivered a three-run homer against New York Yankees P Allie Reynolds in the opener of the 1951 World Series. Thirteen years later, Dark was dismissed as San Francisco Giants manager in 1964.
In 1930, St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924), who hit an anemic .140 in 13 career World Series contests, broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning by smacking his lone postseason homer in a 5-0 victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in Game 3.
California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) lost his lone postseason start (against Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of 1979 ALCS).
INF Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of his last three seasons with Lebanon Valley PA in late 1920s) selected by the Washington Senators from the St. Louis Browns in 1938 Rule 5 draft.
In the opener of the 1967 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) fanned 10 Boston batters in a 2-1 triumph. Red Sox OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953) led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a pinch single off Gibson but his pinch-runner was left stranded.
Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in 1929) whacked a decisive three-run homer in a 4-1 Game 2 victory against the Chicago Cubs in the 1945 World Series.
In the opening game of the 1951 World Series, LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) stole home and collected four hits to spark the New York Giants to a 5-1 victory against the New York Yankees.
New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) launched his second homer of the 1942 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s), after making 133 straight relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies, started Game 1 of the 1950 World Series but lost against the New York Yankees, 1-0.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) swiped three bases against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the 1996 ALDS. Nine years later, Lofton collected three hits and four RBI against the New York Yankees in the 2007 ALDS opener.
Philadelphia Phillies OF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season) smacked a pinch homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the 1978 NLCS.
St. Francisco Giants RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) tossed his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter with 10 strikeouts against Atlanta Braves in 1985).
Minnesota Twins 2B Dan Monzon (played hoops briefly for Buena Vista IA in 1964-65) scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in a 1972 contest.
In 1930, Chicago White Sox rookie OF Jimmy Moore (Union TN hoops standout in late 1920s) stroked a pinch-hit single in his first World Series at-bat in Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
RF Bill Nicholson (hooper for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies for former N.L. batting champion Harry Walker in 1948.
RHP Roy Parmelee (hoops letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) selected from the Boston Red Sox by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.
RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western hoops letterman in 1929-30) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.
Jim Riggleman (two-year hoops letterman for Frostburg State MD averaged 7.2 ppg in early 1970s) fired as Chicago Cubs manager in 1999.
New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling a 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled a four-hitter in a 2-1 verdict over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 3 of the 1941 World Series. In the seventh inning of a scoreless tie, Russo broke P Fred Fitzsimmons' knee with a line drive.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) tossed a five-hitter in a 6-1 victory in Game 2 of the 1933 World Series against the Washington Senators.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) yielded a run in final relief appearance of 1980 campaign after holding the opposition scoreless in previous 14-game span during the month when he recorded seven saves.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 3 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former hoopers from seven universities reaching Final Four at some point in their history - Jim Beattie (Dartmouth), Ralph Branca (NYU), Alvin Dark (Louisiana State), Buddy Myer (Mississippi State), Steve Renko (Kansas), Moose Skowron (Purdue) and Randy Winn (Santa Clara) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 3
New York Yankees rookie RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) won the opener of the 1978 ALCS against the Kansas City Royals, yielding only two hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) sustained his sixth setback of the 1951 season against the New York Giants when Bobby Thomson hit the "shot heard round the world" (three-run homer in bottom of ninth inning) to decide the N.L. playoff. A single by SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) started the rally climaxed by Thomson's historic blast.
1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's "Mr. Basketball") traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958.
Jim Fanning (Buena Vista IA hooper in late 1940s) resigned as Montreal Expos manager in 1982.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 12.8 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 with Swarthmore PA for three Southern Division champions in MASC) earned the win with 4 2/3 innings of one-hit relief against the Minnesota Twins in the opener of the 1970 ALCS. Six years earlier, Hall improved his record to 9-1 by closing out the 1964 campaign with his 13th straight scoreless relief appearance.
Cleveland Indians LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) collected two doubles, including a two-run safety in the eighth inning, in a 2-1 win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 to clinch the 1998 ALDS.
LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage as a Portland freshman in 1975-76) traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) smacked the first homer of the 1957 World Series (third inning of Game 2 against New York Yankees).
In 1904, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) fanned 16 St. Louis Cardinals in a 3-1 triumph.
Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) committed three errors in the opener of the 1933 World Series against the New York Giants.
RF Bill Nicholson (hooper for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) provided a two-run triple to fuel a four-run, first-inning outburst sparking the Chicago Cubs to a 9-0 win against the Detroit Tigers in the opener of the 1945 World Series.
Chicago White Sox OF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) collected five RBI against the Oakland Athletics in a 1987 game.
Despite striking out seven consecutive New York Mets hitters, Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) had his record fall to 1-10 with a 5-2 defeat against Hall of Famer Tom Seaver in the opener of a 1972 doubleheader.
Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) registered a complete-game victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1952 World Series.
New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) smashed a three-run, first-inning homer to ignite a 5-1 Game 6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1955 World Series.
Chicago Cubs RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) secured a save against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the 1984 NLCS.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) ripped a grand slam in a 6-2 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1999.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 2 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Ex-hoopers from five current and former Big East Conference members - Danny Coombs (Seton Hall), Walt Dropo (Connecticut), Bob Gibson (Creighton), Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati) and Birdie Tebbetts (Providence) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 2
Chicago Cubs RHP Dale Alderson (All-Iowa Conference basketball selection for Upper Iowa in 1938-39 and 1939-40) lost his lone MLB decision (2-0 against Boston Braves in 1943).
Philadelphia Athletics LHP Stan Baumgartner (hooper for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference champion in 1913-14) hurled a six-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1925, holding both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig hitless.
RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) yielded the first pinch-hit homer in World Series history (by Yogi Berra of New York Yankees in 1947) but the Brooklyn Dodgers still prevailed in Game 3, 9-8. Two days earlier, Branca lost Game 1 when he was knocked out in the fifth inning.
New York Yankees OF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) pounded a pinch homer off the Brooklyn Dodgers' winning rookie RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) in Game 5 of the 1955 World Series.
Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed both of his homers in 31 World Series contests in the first two outings against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930.
CF Earle Combs (three-year hoops captain for Eastern Kentucky) clubbed a homer and scored four runs as the New York Yankees swept the 1932 World Series by crushing the Chicago Cubs, 13-6. It was the Bronx Bombers' 12th straight WS game win.
In 1964, Houston Colt .45s LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as sophomore in 1961-62) notched his first MLB victory, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless over five innings as a starter.
Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Jack Coombs (hoops captain and starting center for Colby ME) hurled a shutout, beating the New York Giants for the sixth time in as many decisions in 1916.
SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) extended his World Series competition hitting streak to 12 in a row with three safeties in Game 4 as the New York Giants finished their sweep of the Cleveland Indians in 1954.
CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) contributed four hits as the Cleveland Indians assure themselves of a tie for the 1948 A.L. title with an 8-0 triumph against the Detroit Tigers.
In 1950, Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for season with 21.7 in 1942-43) became the first player to surpass 100 with more RBI (144) than games played (136).
Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) hammered his MLB-leading 40th homer in 1985, becoming the first player to reach such a plateau in each league (41 round-trippers for Atlanta Braves in 1973).
In the opener of the 1968 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) outdueled 30-game winner Denny McLain, 4-0, and established a WS record by fanning 17 Detroit Tigers.
Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) went 4-for-4 against the Seattle Mariners in a 1985 contest.
Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) fired as New York Mets manager in 1983.
In 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) concluded his final season with career bests of 27 victories and 1.73 ERA. The previous year, Koufax finished with a single-season MLB-mark 382 strikeouts after fanning 13 Milwaukee Braves batters. In the 1963 World Series opener, the first five batters he faced whiffed en route to 15 strikeouts in a 5-2 win against the New York Yankees.
CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) supplied a homer to help the Cleveland Indians edge the New York Yankees, 4-3, in Game 3 of their 1998 A.L. playoff series.
Rookie RF Bud Metheny (hoops letterman for William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38) belted a first-game homer against the St. Louis Browns to help power the New York Yankees to their 14th sweep of a doubleheader in 1943.
New York Yankees rookie RHP Zach Monroe (played hoops briefly for Bradley in 1950-51) hurled one inning of relief against the Milwaukee Braves in Game 2 of the 1958 World Series.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) registered a postseason career-high three hits in a 3-2 win against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the 1953 World Series.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) stroked four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1929 contest.
Detroit Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) closed out the 1938 campaign with four multiple-hit games in a row.
C Wes Westrum (Bemidji State MN hooper one season before serving in military during WWII) supplied two sacrifice flies for the New York Giants to help them defeat the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, in Game 4 and sweep the 1954 World Series.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark in October 1 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Three former hoopers from Louisiana universities - Walker Cress (LSU), Lee Smith (Northwestern State) and Cecil Upshaw (Centenary) - made N.L. pitching news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 1
California Angels RHP Mike Barlow (basketball player for Syracuse from 1967-68 through 1969-70) won his lone start in 1977, yielding only two hits in seven innings in a 4-1 decision over the Kansas City Royals.
RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) incurred the loss for the Brooklyn Dodgers when they dropped the first-ever N.L. playoff in 1946 at St. Louis, which got three hits from C Joe Garagiola.
1B Herb Conyers (second-leading scorer for Central Missouri State in 1941-42 when earning All-MIAA first-team recognition) clobbered a homer during an eighth-inning, five-run rally to help propel the Cleveland Indians to a 7-5 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1950.
Cincinnati Reds RHP Walker Cress (LSU hoops letterman from 1936-37 through 1938-39) hurled a complete game but lost his lone MLB decision (2-1 against Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948).
Chicago White Sox RHP Charles "Slim" Embrey (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) appeared in his lone MLB game in 1923.
After having only 66 regular-season at-bats, Chicago White Sox backup 3B Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken) batted twice in an 11-0 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1959 World Series opener.
Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1985 contest against the Toronto Blue Jays en route to an A.L.-high 40 round-trippers.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) collected six RBI in an 8-4 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1980.
San Francisco Giants RHP Bob Garibaldi (starting forward averaged 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Santa Clara in 1961-62) lost his lone MLB start (9-4 against San Diego Padres in 1969).
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57) went the distance winning his last three decisions of the 1961 campaign, including two shutouts (three-hitter and one-hitter).
In the first game ever broadcast live coast-to-coast, RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) notched a career-high 17th triumph for the New York Giants in the opener of 1951 N.L. playoff series against Branca and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Supporting Hearn with a homer was LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s).
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) contributed three hits and three RBI in an 8-5 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1955 World Series.
Cincinnati Reds RF Earle "Greasy" Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan College hooper graduated in 1915) contributed three hits in a 9-1 success against the Chicago White Sox in the opener of the 1919 World Series.
In his third start in five days, RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-1, in 1950 as the Whiz Kids clinched the Philadelphia Phillies' first pennant in 35 years. Roberts became the first 20-game winner for the Phils since Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1917.
In a 1970 game, New York Mets rookie LF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) supplied the only two hits (both doubles) off Chicago Cubs standout Ferguson Jenkins.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) established a N.L. record for most saves in a single season in 1991.
In 1954, OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer the next year in 1949-50) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs in a deal involving RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State letterman in late 1940s).
In his MLB debut, Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) tossed three hitless innings of relief against the Cincinnati Reds in 1966.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) played the entire schedule in 1963.
On This NFL Date: Former College Hoopers Who Tackled October Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves in October football at the professional level:
OCTOBER
1: Cincinnati Bengals rookie LB James Francis (averaged 3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Baylor basketball in 1986-87 and 1987-88) furnished two sacks for the second straight game in 1990. . . . Washington Redskins DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown in a 24-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1961. . . . TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught a touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining to give the Baltimore Ravens a 16-13 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2006. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 10 pass receptions in a 57-14 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2017. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three of his league-high 19 touchdown passes in a 24-23 setback against the New England Patriots in 1972. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-13 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1955. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned a blocked field goal 83 yards for touchdown in 23-20 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1978. . . . New York Jets rookie RB Elijah McGuire (collected 10 points and 13 rebounds in 16 basketball games for Louisiana-Lafayette in 2015-16) rushed for NFL career-high 93 yards - including 69-yarder for go-ahead touchdown in third quarter - in 23-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 311 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000. . . . Baltimore Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened the game's scoring with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in 17-0 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1972. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had two sacks in a 33-30 win against the New England Patriots in 2017. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dick Pesonen (two-year Minnesota-Duluth hoops letterman was starting guard in 1959-60) returned an interception 28 yards in 34-33 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1961. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught 13 passes for 160 yards in a 28-19 setback against the New England Patriots in 2000. . . . Washington Redskins rookie QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1961. Six years later with the Philadelphia Eagles, Snead threw four TD passes in a 34-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. . . . Green Bay Packers rookie DB Rebel Steiner (three-year hoops letterman for Alabama in late 1940s) returned an interception 94 yards for touchdown in 31-21 win against the Chicago Bears in 1950. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 29 yards for a touchdown in a 31-16 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000. . . . Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 288 yards (48.0 average) in a 16-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1972. Teammate Vernon Vanoy (averaged 6.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg in 1966-67 and 1967-68 as Kansas teammate of Jo Jo White under coach Ted Owens), in his first start as DT, registered two sacks, got partial credit for a third and nearly got a fourth. . . . Minnesota Vikings E A.D. Williams (Pacific hoops letterman in mid-1950s) caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in a 34-33 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1961. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) provided the Staten Island Stapletons' lone score with a 64-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in a 7-7 tie with the Newark Tornadoes in 1930.
2: Chicago Bears QB Ray Buivid (Marquette hoops letterman in 1935-36) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-6 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1938. One of them went to E Fred Dreher (Denver basketball letterman in 1937 and 1938). . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 27-26 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955. . . . Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) had runs from scrimmage of 30 and 45 yards, ran for a touchdown, threw a 33-yard TD pass and kicked two extra points in 20-0 win against the Minneapolis Marines in 1921. . . . In the midst of four consecutive contests with at least 100 receiving yards, New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 132 yards in a 23-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) scored the game's only touchdowns with two pass receptions in a 14-0 win against the Boston Braves in 1932. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 28-9 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. . . . Tennessee Titans TE Erron Kinney (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in six basketball games for Florida in 1996-97 under coach Billy Donovan) supplied seven pass receptions in second consecutive contest in 2005. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned six punts a total of 82 yards in 17-3 win against the New York Giants in 1977. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1960. . . . Chicago Cardinals QB Dave Leggett (averaged 1.7 ppg for Ohio State from 1951-52 through 1953-54) threw his only NFL pass (an incompletion) in 28-17 win against the New York Giants in 1955. . . . St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) had a career-high eight pass receptions in a 44-24 setback against the New York Giants in 2005. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 369 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. the next year, McNabb threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 31-9 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2006. In 2011 with the Minnesota Vikings, McNabb threw two TD passes in a 22-17 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011. . . . Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) had a career-high five pass receptions in a 21-10 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1983. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) caught a 79-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in the fourth quarter of a 35-28 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1949. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 11 pass receptions for 171 yards in a 37-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. . . . Green Bay Packers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown in a 42-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught seven passes for 134 yards in a 37-35 win against the Dallas Texans in 1960. Texans HB Jim Swink (averaged 5.8 ppg for TCU in 12 games in 1955-56) had a 32-yard pass reception and returned a kickoff 36 yards. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) returned a punt 97 yards for a touchdown in a 37-35 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1983. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) had two second-half rushing touchdowns in a 35-28 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1949. . . . Baltimore Colts rookie DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown in 55-13 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. Cardinals E Bob Shaw (Ohio State hoops starter in 1942 and 1943) caught five TD passes. . . . Arizona Cardinals WR Patrick Robinson (starting guard for Tennessee State in 1990-91 when averaging 6.7 ppg and 2.9 apg) returned two kickoffs for 58 yards in a 17-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1994. . . . Denver Broncos S Al Romine (four-year hoops letterman from 1951-52 through 1954-55 for Florence State AL) returned an interception 18 yards in a 31-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka. . . . Baltimore Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in a 42-7 win against the Chicago Bears in 1960. . . . New York Giants QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes to Ron Johnson in a 27-12 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1972. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two touchdown passes (24 and 61 yards) in a 21-21 tie against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1953.
3: Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw four touchdown passes in a 45-24 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1976. . . . Baltimore Ravens WR Justin Armour (Stanford hooper in 1992-93) caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give the Baltimore Ravens a 19-13 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1999. . . . New York Giants E Red Badgro (first-five All-Pacific Coast Conference pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened the game's scoring with a 25-yard touchdown reception in a 14-12 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . Cleveland Browns DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in a 15-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1949. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in a 27-17 win against the Boston Patriots in 1965. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for three touchdowns in a 35-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1953. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) kicked the decisive field goal fourth quarter in 10-7 win against the Detroit Panthers in 1926. . . . Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 22-14 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1949. Four years later with the Baltimore Colts, Enke threw two first-half TD passes in a 27-17 setback against the Lions in 1953. . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as hoops freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 10 tackles in a 17-12 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught seven passes for 144 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 41-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2010. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes in a 35-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw for 337 yards and four touchdown passes in a 38-36 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1999. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes to E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) in a 17-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1952. . . . A fourth-quarter touchdown pass reception by TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) from Jim Kelly gave the Buffalo Bills a 17-14 win against the New York Giants in 1993. . . . Philadelphia Eagles B Dom Moselle (leading hoops scorer for Wisconsin-Superior in 1947-48 and 1948-49) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in 35-16 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) caught two touchdown passes from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in a 31-21 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. . . . Cincinnati Bengals WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 10 pass receptions for 222 yards in a 23-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2010. . . . HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored the Philadelphia Eagles' final touchdown with a 52-yard run from scrimmage in 28-28 tie against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948. . . . Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had two interceptions - returning one of them 50 yards for a touchdown to open the game's scoring - in a 14-10 win against the Washington Redskins in 1965. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) had nine pass receptions for 141 yards in a 45-24 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1976. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-13 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1976. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) had two of his league-high nine touchdown pass receptions in a 27-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1949. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-31 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Rookie HB Ted Scalissi (three-time all-league hoops selection for Ripon WI) caught two of the TD passes.
4: Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) opened the game's scoring with a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 21-6 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1933. . . . Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had 11 pass receptions in a 22-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2015. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB J.R. Boone (hoops teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) had two first-half rushing touchdowns in a 28-17 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-31 win against the New York Jets in 1970. . . . Indianapolis Colts DE Sam Clancy (two-time Eastern 8 first-team selection ended career in 1981 as Pittsburgh's all-time leading rebounder) had two sacks in a 24-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992. . . . Chicago Cardinals B Red Dunn (four-year Marquette hoops letterman first half of 1920s) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 34-0 win against the Milwaukee Badgers in 1925. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes for 124 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 38-28 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952. The next year, Graham threw three TD passes in a 27-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1953. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught 10 passes for 147 yards in a 37-23 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2015. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in a 29-6 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2009. . . . Cleveland Browns rookie TE Chris Kelley (averaged 1.5 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Akron in 1984-85 and 1985-86 under coach Bob Huggins) caught a "Hail Mary" pass on botched extra-point attempt in 20-10 win against the New England Patriots in 1987. . . . New York Giants rookie FB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) scored the game's only touchdown with a 31-yard rush in a 7-0 win against the Boston Redskins in 1936. . . . New York Giants WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) opened the game's scoring with an 18-yard touchdown reception from Frank Gifford in 31-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. . . . Chicago Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-9 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) in a 21-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1952. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47 yards on six punts in a 23-17 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. Cardinals WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught five passes for 139 yards. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 24-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1992. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes in a 41-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes - including an 87-yarder to Timmy Brown - in a 21-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 38-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2009. . . . New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in 30-21 win against the New England Patriots in 1992.
5: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged #2-scorer 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 and 11.3 as junior) rushed for three touchdowns - one of them for 59 yards - in a 45-12 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958. Five years later, Brown rushed for 175 yards on 21 carries in a 35-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Chicago Cardinals rookie TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) threw a 76-yard touchdown pass in a 14-13 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1941. Six years later with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clement threw two TD passes in a 27-26 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1947. . . . Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) kicked a 40-yard field goal for the game's only score in 3-0 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1924. . . . Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown in a 21-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1969. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets in 2014. . . . Rookie E Dale Gentry (averaged 5.3 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) opened the Los Angeles Dons' scoring with a blocked punt return for a touchdown in a 21-9 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-17 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1980. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught eight passes for 144 yards in a 37-31 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2014. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted five times for 54-yard average in a 24-3 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1980. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 36-17 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1969. . . . TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened the San Francisco 49ers' scoring with a 24-yard touchdown pass reception in 20-3 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1975. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-25 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Gary Danielson in a 43-28 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1980. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 41-20 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2014. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 29-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
6: Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) contributed an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the New York Giants in 1935. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in a 17-14 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1974. . . . caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-12 win against the Boston Redskins in 1935. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 touchdown passes in the second quarter to B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) in a 20-12 win against the Boston Redskins in 1935. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes in a 28-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1963. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) had one of his league-high seven pass reception touchdowns - 82 yards from Paul Christman - in a 34-17 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1946. . . . Oakland Raiders rookie TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Hostetler in a 34-13 win against the New York Jets in 1996. . . . Capping off four consecutive contests with at least 100 receiving yards, New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught 10 passes for 135 yards in a 26-18 win against the Chicago Bears in 2013. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown in a 21-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1946. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-35 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2003. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three second-half touchdown passes to WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) in a 56-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963. . . . Dallas Cowboys DE Too Tall Jones (backup center averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 30-29 win against the New York Giants in 1985. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 38-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1968. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1956. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) rushed once for 10 yards and had career highs of six pass receptions and 86 receiving yards in a 22-15 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1996. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 23-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957. . . . Posting a career-high 117 rushing yards, a nine-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 13-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1974. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 11 passes for 162 yards in a 43-14 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored two touchdowns (68-yard rush and 35-yard pass reception) in a 49-25 win against the Boston Yanks in 1946. . . . New England Patriots WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett in a 42-3 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught five passes for 130 yards in a 34-13 win against the New England Patriots in 1997. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 36-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1975. . . . Washington Redskins rookie HB Ed Sutton (seven games for North Carolina as sophomore in 1954-55) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 37-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1957. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 142 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 50-34 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1963. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught nine passes for 122 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Peyton Manning - in a 51-48 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.
7: Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns in a 37-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1956. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) scored two second-quarter touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 35-33 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. Steelers DB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) returned an interception 25 yards for a TD.. . . Los Angeles Rams RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) scored two second-half touchdowns (one rushing/one receiving) in a 38-23 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1951. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes for the third consecutive contest in 1962. . . . Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) accounted for 27 points with four touchdowns and three extra points in a 60-0 win against the Rochester Jeffersons in 1923. . . . Houston Texans TE Darren Fells (led UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons while averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in 53-32 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2019. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) returned an interception 69 yards for a touchdown in a 57-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1945. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught eight passes for 129 yards in a 20-6 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2001. Eleven years later with the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez caught 13 passes in a 24-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 2012. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-3 win against the New York Jets in 1973. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-30 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught nine passes for 151 yards in a 19-16 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. First NFL reception for Cowboys TE Rico Gathers (two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection averaged 8.6 ppg and 8 rpg for Baylor from 2012-13 through 2015-16) was a 32-yard pass from Dak Prescott. . . . RB-K Paul Hornung (teammate of All-American Jack Stephens averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) accounted for all of the Green Bay Packers' scoring by kicking three field goals in a 9-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1962. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted eight times for 48.9-yard average in a 17-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979. . . . B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) supplied the New York Yankees' lone touchdown with a 15-yard rush in a 9-7 setback against the Pottsville Maroons in 1928. . . . San Francisco 49ers B Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) rushed for two touchdowns for the second straight game in 1962. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 51-35 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1979. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-14 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 21-20 setback against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) threw a fourth-quarter, go-ahead touchdown pass in 10-6 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1928. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Jordan Norwood (collected one rebound and one assist in four basketball games for Penn State in 2006-07) had a career-high nine pass receptions in 41-27 setback against the New York Giants in 2012. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 24-14 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2001. . . . The second of two second-half touchdown catches by WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) gave the Atlanta Falcons a 28-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990. . . . New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) had two interceptions - returning one 34 yards for touchdown - in a 23-9 win against the Washington Redskins in 2001. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 20-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. . . . Denver Broncos rookie WR Courtland Sutton (collected three points and two rebounds in three SMU basketball games in 2015-16 when Larry Brown was coach) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown reception from Case Keenum in 34-16 setback against the New York Jets in 2018. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) recovered a fumble for a touchdown in a 30-10 win against the New England Patriots in 2001. . . . Tennessee Titans rookie WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 30-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2012.
8: In 1933, Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) became the first NFL player to rush for 200 yards in a game (215 yards in 16 carries against New York Giants). . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 35-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1939. . . . Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC hoops pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) returned a fumble recovery nine yards for a touchdown in a 24-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 1967. . . . New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) returned a blocked punt return 28 yards for touchdown in 22-10 win against the Boston Yanks in 1944. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1939. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw five touchdown passes in a 41-0 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1967. FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had two first-half TD catches - one for 71 yards. . . . Detroit Lions TE Darren Fells (led UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons while averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Matthew Stafford in a 27-24 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2017. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) caught two touchdown passes from Glenn Dobbs in a 49-28 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 21 yards for a touchdown in 34-24 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) passed for 281 yards. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted five times for 238 yards (47.6 average) in a 21-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had career-high 11 pass receptions in a 27-20 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2015. It was his third of four consecutive contests with at least eight pass receptions for more than 100 receiving yards. Two years later, Hopkins caught three touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in a 42-34 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (teammate of All-American Jack Stephens averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored four touchdowns - including 54-yard run from scrimmage opening the game's scoring - in a 45-7 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1961. . . . Miami Dolphins RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 27-24 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1995. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1950. The next year, Layne threw three TD passes - two to HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) - in a 37-10 win against the New York Yanks in 1951. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 27-6 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB Bob MacLeod (All-EIL choice for Dartmouth league champions in 1937-38 and 1938-39) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 41 yards for a TD in a 35-21 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1939. . . . Baltimore Ravens WR Vince Mayle (averaged 8 ppg for Shasta CC in 2009-10) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in 30-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2017. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 354 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2006. . . . Green Bay Packers DE Dan Orlich (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1947-48 and 1948-49) returned a fumble recovery 15 yards for a touchdown in a 44-31 setback against the New York Yanks in 1950. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught 12 passes for 176 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff Garcia - in a 34-28 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2000. . . . St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had 10 solo tackles in a 35-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 2001. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 11 passes for 206 yards - including two touchdowns from Tom Flores - in a 24-10 win against the Boston Patriots in 1965. . . . WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from QB John Brodie to give the San Francisco 49ers a 27-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1967. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three of his NFL-high 22 touchdown passes in a 44-31 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1939. . . . QB Archie Roberts (averaged 2.2 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 14 contests as Columbia junior in 1963-64) played in his lone AFL game, completing 5-of-10 passes for the Miami Dolphins in a 41-0 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had three interceptions in a 21-16 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. . . . New York Giants QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 45-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1972. Eleven years earlier, WR Tom Osborne (scored 1,291 points for Hastings NE during last half of 1950s) accounted for the Washington Redskins' only TD by catching a pass from Snead in 31-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-3 win against the New York Giants in 1978. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars WR Cedric Tillman (averaged 4.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg while serving as part-time starter for Alcorn State in 1990-91) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown catch from Mark Brunell in a 20-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1995.
9: New England Patriots TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) caught three touchdown passes from Tom Brady in a 33-13 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2016. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 168 yards on 29 carries in a 24-19 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . In his only game as an NFL quarterback, rookie Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) threw two interceptions after Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Terry Bradshaw had four passes picked off in a 27-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1977. Oilers CB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) returned a fumble recovery for touchdown and had an interception. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 56-28 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) scored two touchdowns in a 31-16 win against the Chicago Bears in 1949. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie E Jim Lukens (Washington & Lee VA hoops letterman) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in a 42-28 setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949. . . . An 18-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter by E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) gave the San Francisco 49ers a 14-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two second-quarter touchdown catches in a 27-21 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . Green Bay Packers LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1966. . . . Green Bay Packers E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown from a blocked punt return in a 15-10 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1932. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) - 28 and 76 yards - in a 45-35 setback against the New York Giants in 1949. . . . Rookie B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) accounted for the Pittsburgh Pirates' lone score with a 50-yard touchdown pass in 17-7 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1938. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 20-19 win against the Chicago Bears in 1955. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-14 win against the New York Giants in 1943.
10: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB J.R. Boone (hoop teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) had two second-quarter pass reception touchdowns from Sid Luckman in a 42-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 31-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954. Graham had three first-half TD passes. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes in a 35-14 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004. . . . Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) accounted for all of the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown and extra point in 7-0 win against the New York Giants in 1926. . . . In 1934, an 82-yard touchdown run helped Chicago Bears rookie HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee regular in 1931-32) become the first NFL player to rush for 1,000 yards or more in a season when finishing with 1,004 (league highs of 8.4 per carry and eight TDs). . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie E Hank Foldberg (Army hoops letterman in 1947) returned a blocked field goal 51 yards for a touchdown in a 30-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1948. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 34-21 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) had two goal-line plunges for touchdowns in a 35-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1965. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns - including 33- and 45-yarders in first half - in a 23-7 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1964. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had an interception and returned six punts a total of 87 yards in 30-0 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1976. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught two touchdown passes in a 36-26 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2010. . . . Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference hoops crown) returned an interception 55 yards for a Chicago Bears touchdown in a 20-2 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1937. . . . TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) had a touchdown reception in his third different game of the Green Bay Packers' first four contests in 1971. . . . Washington Redskins QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 357 yards in a 16-13 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2010. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 97 yards in a 20-17 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2004. . . . Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in two seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 34-31 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1999. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught six passes for 141 yards in a 35-13 setback against the New York Jets in 1964. . . . Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had an interception for the second of three consecutive contests in 1965. . . . Chicago Bears B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) opened the game's scoring with a six-yard touchdown reception in a 28-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . Providence Steam Roller E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) scored the game's lone touchdown with an 18-yard pass reception in a 6-0 win against the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1931. . . . Philadelphia Eagles LB George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned a fumble recovery 62 yards for a touchdown in a 35-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1965. . . . San Diego Chargers DB Bud Whitehead (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 15 games for Florida State in 1959-60) had three interceptions - returning one 35 yards for a touchdown - in a 34-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1965. . . . Chicago Bears DB S.J. Whitman (Tulsa hoops letterman in 1949-50) returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in a 28-9 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1954.
11: New York Giants rookie E O'Neal Adams (three-year hoops letterman was third-leading scorer when Arkansas reached 1941 NCAA Tournament national semifinals) caught two touchdown passes from Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) in a 35-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1942. Leemans finished the game with three TD passes. . . . Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) completed 21-of-27 passes (including three touchdowns) in a 41-19 triumph against the Baltimore Colts in 1981. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 33-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1942. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) scored three touchdowns - one fumble recovery and two pass receptions - in a 38-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1964. . . . Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) kicked four field goals - one from 50 yards - in a 19-9 win against the Columbus Tigers in 1925. . . . In the midst of five consecutive contests with at least one touchdown reception, Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught five passes for 183 yards in a 48-17 win against the Houston Oilers in 1964. . . . Baltimore Colts QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona hoops co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 16-14 win against the Chicago Bears in 1953. . . . TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) opened the Arizona Cardinals' scoring by catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in a 42-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 2015. . . . In his Dallas Cowboys debut, DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had two sacks and four tackles in a 30-6 setback against the New England Patriots in 2015. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had an 88-yard touchdown reception in a 28-21 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1959. . . . QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) had goal-line plunges for both of the Chicago Cardinals' touchdowns in a 23-14 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1959. . . . B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) scored the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone touchdown with a 12-yard rush in a 10-10 tie against the New York Giants in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one of them 41 yards for a touchdown - in a 45-14 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1981. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 16-of-21 passes - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 33-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Roman Gabriel in 38-17 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown in a 28-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1959. . . . Rookie E George Rogge (Iowa hoops letterman in 1929) had a rushing touchdown for the Chicago Cardinals' lone score in a 26-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1931. . . . Green Bay Packers rookie CB Quinten Rollins (Miami OH steals leader all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including MAC as senior) intercepted two passes - returning one 45 yards for a touchdown - in 24-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2015. . . . In 1987, TE Don Summers (averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Oregon Tech in 1980-81) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to help boost the Green Bay Packers to a lead but they eventually bowed to the Detroit Lions, 19-16. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-27 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1964. . . . Providence Steam Roller rookie TB Cy Wentworth (New Hampshire hoops letterman in 1922 and 1923) returned a kickoff 92 yards for touchdown in 14-0 win against the New York Giants in 1925.
12: Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for three touchdowns in a 35-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1958. . . . Chicago Bears QB Young Bussey (LSU hoops letterman in late 1930s) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes for the second straight week in 1941. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had three pass receptions for 102 yards - including a 51-yard touchdown - in a 31-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in a 26-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. . . . New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) had two interceptions in a 27-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 1997. . . . In 2015, San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) posted career touchdown reception #100 in his first contest following a four-game suspension. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught four passes for 121 yards in a 40-34 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2003. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in a 32-0 win against the Newark Tornadoes in 1930. . . . Los Angeles Rams B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) scored two touchdowns in a 27-13 win against the Detroit Lions in 1947. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-6 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught five passes for 134 yards in a 30-10 win against the New England Patriots in 2008. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted for more than 49-yard average for fourth time in a five-game span in 1980. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw four touchdown passes in a 35-13 win against the Washington Redskins in 2003. . . . Rookie TE Teyo Johnson (part-time starting forward for Stanford averaged 4.9 ppg and 3 rpg in 2000-01 and 2001-02) scored the Oakland Raiders' only touchdown with a 10-yard pass reception from Rich Gannon in a 13-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2003. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) caught a 59-yard touchdown pass in a 24-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1941. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown in a 29-28 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2008. . . . New York Yankees rookie B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 19-8 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1927. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 17-3 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1975. . . . Washington Redskins WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) had nine pass receptions in a 33-17 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-15 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1947. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 30-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997. . . . New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas hoops letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1941. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three of his NFL-high 22 touchdown passes in a 29-24 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1950. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had a go-ahead 48-yard rushing touchdown in 24-13 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1980. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-17 win against the New York Jets in 2014. Thomas had a total of nine TD receptions in his first five games of the season. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 42-28 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . San Francisco 49ers TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) had a career-high seven pass receptions in a 27-21 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1969.
13: Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (center was Tennessee's third-leading scorer with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in a 52-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. . . . Washington Redskins B Steve Bagarus (Notre Dame hooper in early 1940s) caught two go-ahead touchdown passes (51 and 13 yards) in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1946. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes - including one for 81 yards to Dick Todd - in a 28-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1940. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) scored three touchdowns - including a 72-yard pass reception - in a 35-24 win against the New York Giants in 1963. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 36-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 1946. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught nine passes for 110 yards - including four touchdowns - in a 52-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 19-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946. . . . Denver Broncos DB Charlie Greer (played seven games for Colorado in 1965-66 as sophomore) had two interceptions in a 21-13 win against the New York Jets in 1968. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) returned an interception 20 yards in a 13-3 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1968. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) scored two touchdowns - including an 84-yard run from scrimmage - in a 28-28 tie against the Chicago Bears in 1946. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught nine passes for 114 yards - including two second-quarter touchdowns - in a 31-20 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. . . . Washington Redskins FB Jack Jenkins (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1941 and 1942) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1946. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 428 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 24-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears LB-C Eddie Kawal (Illinois hoops letterman in 1930) returned an interception 13 yards for a touchdown in a 39-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had nine pass receptions in a 28-13 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2002. . . . Green Bay Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference hoops selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) had a career-high 87 receiving yards on four catches in a 37-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (52 and 15 yards) in a 42-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 21-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1957. . . . Carolina Panthers rookie DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks and an interception in a 14-13 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) threw his second touchdown pass in a three-game span in 1974. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in a 34-7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002. . . . Detroit Lions TE Mikhael Ricks (played three basketball games for Stephen F. Austin in 1995-96) opened the game's scoring with a 41-yard touchdown pass reception from Joey Harrington in a 31-24 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 39-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1991. . . . Buffalo Bills DE Reggie Rogers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Washington from 1982-83 through 1984-85) registered a sack in a 42-6 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1991. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two touchdown passes to Bobby Mitchell (66 and 35 yards) in a 37-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1963. . . . B Wilbur White (Colorado State hoops letterman from 1932 to 1935) accounted for the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone score with a four-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a 10-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1935. . . . Dallas Cowboys TE Rayfield Wright (All-SIAC pick for Fort Valley State GA averaged 17 ppg and 15 rpg as junior and 21 ppg and 17.4 rpg as senior) caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Don Meredith in 34-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1968.
14: Detroit Wolverines E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) opened and completed the game's scoring with touchdown receptions in a 35-12 win against the New York Yankees in 1928. . . . Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) returned a fumble recovery 10 yards for a touchdown in a 36-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught 12 passes for 187 yards, including two touchdown receptions from Roman Gabriel, in a 27-24 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. . . . Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 31-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught eight passes for 132 yards in a 34-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1962. . . . Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) accounted for all of the game's scoring with two touchdowns, two field goals and one extra point in a 19-0 win against the Akron Pros in 1923. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught nine passes - including two touchdowns - in a 27-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw six touchdown passes - five in the first half - in a 61-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 56-17 win against the New York Titans in 1962. TE teammate Bob McLeod (all-time leading rebounder for Abilene Christian TX with 1,237 from 1957-58 through 1960-61) also caught two TD passes from Blanda. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie E Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Bob Waterfield in 27-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1951. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1956. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 31-28 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2001. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw four touchdown passes in a 48-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1973. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for more than 110 yards in third consecutive game in 1962. . . . Baltimore Ravens WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown in a 31-29 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2012. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Cliff Lewis (Duke hoops letterman in 1945) threw for one touchdown and rushed for another in the second half of a 61-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a fumble recovery 69 yards for a touchdown in a 20-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two touchdown passes - one for 77 yards - in a 28-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1951. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR John "Red" O'Quinn (scored 91 points for Wake Forest's basketball team in 1947-48 under coach Murray Greason) had a career-long 38-yard pass reception in 37-24 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. . . . Baltimore Colts E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas in a 36-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1962. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had three of his league-high 16 touchdown receptions - including a 52-yarder in overtime to finish with nine catches for 183 yards - in a 37-31 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. The next year, Owens caught two TD passes from Garcia in a 28-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2002. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had nine pass receptions for 172 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 45-35 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. Three years later, Rison had two TD catches in a 30-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1993. . . . Washington Redskins LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in 21-3 win against the New York Giants in 1973. . . . In his pro debut, Oakland Raiders RB Willie Simpson (San Francisco State letterman in 1960 and 1961 as hoops forward) rushed six times for 22 yards in a 23-6 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 37-31 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1973. Cowboys WR Otto Stowe (collected 12 points and five rebounds in four Iowa State basketball games in 1968-69) had two TD receptions. Six years later, Staubach completed 13-of-18 passes - including three TDs - in a 30-6 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1979. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Morris Stroud Jr. (tallest TE in NFL history averaged 7.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 1967-68 when 6-10 junior shot team-high 50.9 FG% from floor for Clark Atlanta GA) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in 10-10 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1973. . . . New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in a 28-17 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Boston Redskins rookie HB Ted Wright (North Texas State hoops letterman in 1932) scored his lone NFL touchdown with a 59-yard rush in a 39-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934.
15: New York Giants E O'Neal Adams (three-year letterman was third-leading scorer in 1941 when Arkansas reached NCAA Tournament national semifinals) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for the decisive score in a 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944. . . . New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown in a 31-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . Chicago Bears E Connie Mack Berry (All-Southern Conference second-team hoops selection as North Carolina State center in 1937 and 1938) caught two touchdown passes (51 and 15 yards) in a 34-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1944. . . . Dallas Cowboys DE Shante Carver (Arizona State hooper in 1992-93) had two sacks in a 23-9 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1995. . . . New York Giants B Stu Clancy (Holy Cross hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930 was captain as senior) scored a 46-yard rushing touchdown in a 56-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) completed 24-of-37 passes for 364 yards in a 45-31 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1967. Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught nine of Dawson's passes for 134 yards. Five years later, Taylor had 10 receptions in a 23-16 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1972. . . . New York Giants rookie B Scott Eaton (three-year Oregon State letterman averaged 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg) had an 18-yard pass reception in a 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-24 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2012. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 283 yards (47.2 average) in a 20-7 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for three touchdowns in a 28-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) had two interceptions in a 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1967. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2006. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets rookie B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) rushed for two touchdowns in a 54-0 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1927. . . . Chicago Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns (pass reception and interception return) in a 44-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1939. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 31-28 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2000. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens caught three second-half TD passes in a 34-6 win against the Houston Texans in 2006. . . . Cleveland Rams E Steve Pritko (Villanova two-year hoops letterman) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1944. . . . New York Giants rookie B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 56-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933. . . . Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in a 20-20 tie against the Washington Redskins in 1967. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in a 20-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961. . . . New York Jets TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) had career-high eight pass receptions - including touchdown in second of three straight games - in a 24-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2017. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught three touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 44-10 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2000. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1967. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. . . . New York Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown in a 14-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1979.
16: Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in a 17-0 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1966. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw four touchdown passes in a 38-14 win against the New York Bulldogs in 1949. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned a fumble recovery seven yards for a touchdown in a 34-13 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1966. . . . New York Giants B Chris Cagle (four-year hoops letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) scored two first-quarter touchdowns (rush and 40-yard reception) in a 20-12 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. . . . Chicago Bears rookie FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns - including an NFL-long 81 yards for his first pro score - in a 38-10 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1955. . . . Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in 12-0 win against the New York Yankees in 1927. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 21-17 win against the New York Jets in 1977. . . . Houston Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) had a career-high 10 pass receptions in a 20-10 win against the Dallas Texans in 1960. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) had two interceptions in a 35-7 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966. . . . New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 122 yards in a 24-17 win against the New England Patriots in 1994. . . . Green Bay Packers rookie E Bill Kelley (Texas Tech hoops letterman in 1945 and 1946) caught a touchdown pass in a 39-17 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949. . . . Chicago Bears TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) caught a touchdown pass in his third contest of a four-game span in 1977. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-0 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1954. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 24-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1988. . . . Detroit Lions TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in two seasons in 1992-93 and 1993-94) had three pass receptions for 105 yards in a 21-20 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2005. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two touchdown passes from Cotton Davidson in a 43-43 tie against the Boston Patriots in 1964. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 72 yards for touchdown in 23-17 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Elvis Grbac in a 31-3 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1997. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1966. . . . Cincinnati Bengals DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) had four sacks in a 14-10 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught eight passes for 133 yards - including 48-yard touchdown from Marcus Mariota - in a 28-26 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2016.
17: Brooklyn Dodgers HB Al Akins (forward was hoops letterman for Washington in 1944 after lettering with Washington State previous two years) opened the game's scoring with an 18-yard rushing touchdown in a 14-14 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . Washington Redskins RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) scored three touchdowns from at least 60 yards (interception return from 65 and rushes from 60 and 62) in a 34-20 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1937. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw four touchdown passes in a 33-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1943. . . . New York Jets QB Bob Davis (sixth man for Virginia in 1964-65 when averaging 9.1 ppg and 4.1 rpg) threw two touchdown passes for the first of three consecutive contests to finish the month in 1971. . . . Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) accounted for all of the game's scoring with one rushing touchdown, three field goals and one extra point in a 16-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1926. . . . Chicago Bears HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) opened the game's scoring with a four-yard rushing touchdown in a 16-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1937. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw four touchdown passes - including a 78-yarder to Ray Mathews - in a 55-27 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1954. Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes. . . . Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-17 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw four touchdown passes in a 41-3 win against the New England Patriots in 1971. Five years later, Griese passed for 306 yards in a 20-17 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1976. . . . Detroit Lions rookie E Chuck Hanneman (three-year Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in mid-1930s) rushed for a 50-yard touchdown in a 30-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1937. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw for 321 yards - including three touchdown passes - in a 35-27 setback against the New York Giants in 1965. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Vern Huffman (All-American was All-Big Ten Conference selection for Indiana in 1935-36 and 1936-37) returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in a 30-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1937. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) caught three touchdown passes - including two 45-yarders in the second quarter - in a 63-35 win against the New York Giants in 1948. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Johnny Lattner (Notre Dame forward in 1951-52) scored a touchdown in each of his first four games in 1954. . . . Green Bay Packers WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Bart Starr in a 31-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1965. It was Long's third consecutive contest with a TD reception. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had a 32-yard rushing touchdown in 45-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 191 yards on 26 carries - including two touchdowns - in a 20-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1976. . . . Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in 31-21 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1965. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-14 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1971. Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted five times for 246 yards (49.2 average). . . . Minnesota Vikings CB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins) returned two kickoffs for 69 yards in a 24-13 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1971.
18: San Francisco 49ers RB Joe Arenas (averaged 6.2 ppg in 1949-50 and 1950-51 for Nebraska-Omaha) provided a 60-yard rushing touchdown in a come-from-behind 35-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1953. . . . Cleveland Browns DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown in a 42-31 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-10 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. . . . Kansas City Chiefs DE Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned a fumble recovery 11 yards for a touchdown in a 35-22 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1964. . . . WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) accounted for both of the Buffalo Bills' touchdowns with pass receptions in a 33-14 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1970. Briscoe finished the game with seven catches for 145 yards. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 188 yards on 26 carries in a 20-16 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught eight passes for 109 yards in a 35-23 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1981. . . . Portsmouth Spartans rookie TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) provided all three of the game's touchdowns - two of them rushes for 15 yards - in a 19-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . Rookie E Milan Creighton (All-SWC second-team guard for Arkansas in 1929-30) opened the scoring for the Chicago Cardinals with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 26-13 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1931. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. Two of Dawson's TDs were caught by WR Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M). Chiefs DE Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) intercepted a pass. . . . Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) supplied an 80-yard touchdown run in 20-7 win against the Kansas City Cowboys in 1925. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught two touchdown passes from Jack Kemp in a 35-22 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1964. . . . Baltimore Colts QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 37-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1953. . . . Chicago Bears HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) rushed for two touchdowns in a 26-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) had nine pass receptions for the second straight week in 2015. . . . Seattle Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) had eight pass receptions for 140 yards in a 27-23 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2015. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoops games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught 10 passes for 148 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 31-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1964. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-20 tie against the San Francisco 49ers in 1970. . . . Cleveland Rams B Bill Lazetich (three-year Montana hoops letterman in late 1930s) scored a touchdown in his second straight game in 1942. . . . Chicago Bears rookie TE Alonzo Mayes (averaged 2.9 ppg and 2 rpg for Oklahoma State in seven basketball contests in 1996-97 under coach Eddie Sutton) amassed NFL career highs of four pass receptions and 57 receiving yards in a 13-12 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1998. . . . Los Angeles Rams TE James McDonald (four-year Southern California letterman in early 1980s averaged 8.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg as senior forward) caught a touchdown pass from Steve Dils for the second consecutive contest in 1987. . . . In his only game as a rookie in 1987, Buffalo Bills TE Keith McKeller (starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished second as senior) had nine pass receptions in a 6-3 win against the New York Giants. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had two sacks and seven tackles in a 28-21 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009. . . . Producing his lone NFL pass reception, New England Patriots WR Clay Pickering (Maine scoring leader with 15.6 ppg as junior in 1981-82) caught a 10-yarder from Doug Flutie in 21-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1987. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught three touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 42-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1964. . . . Los Angeles Rams WR Del Shofner (Baylor letterman in 1956) had two touchdown receptions in a 45-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1959. . . . Chicago Bears DE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) returned a blocked punt 21 yards for a touchdown in a 35-28 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1953. . . . Green Bay Packers TE Don Summers (averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Oregon Tech in 1980-81) had at least two pass receptions in his third consecutive contest in 1987. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DE George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned a fumble recovery 38 yards for a touchdown in 27-6 win against the Washington Redskins in 1959. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie WR David Verser (played five basketball games for Kansas in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) caught a 73-yard touchdown pass from Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) in 34-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1981. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins) returned two punts for 52 yards in a 54-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1970.
19: Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoops championship in 1943) caught two touchdown passes in a 24-16 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1952. . . . New York Giants E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) caught two touchdown passes in a 53-0 win against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1930. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two TDs in a 35-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw four touchdown passes in a 49-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. Browns DE Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a fumble recovery return for TD. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 43-0 win against the New York Jets in 1975. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught seven passes for 129 yards in a 34-26 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie E Dick Humbert (three-year starter captained Richmond team as senior when averaging 7.4 ppg) opened the game's scoring with a four-yard touchdown catch in a 21-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1941. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) accounted for the Frankfort Yellow Jackets' lone score with a five-yard rushing touchdown in a 6-6 tie against the Orange Tornadoes in 1929. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 35-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. . . . WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Brian Sipe in the fourth quarter to give the Cleveland Browns a 26-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1980. . . . St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) had a touchdown reception in his third contest of a five-game span in 2003. . . . New York Giants WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Charlie Conerly in a 24-23 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1952. . . . TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) had a 26-yard touchdown reception from John Hadl in the fourth quarter to give the Green Bay Packers a 19-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) in a 28-24 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1952. Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two second-half TD passes. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 35-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. Six years later, Owens had six pass receptions for 152 yards in a 24-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003 when WR teammate Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had a 69-yard pass reception for touchdown in 35-24 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947. . . . Chicago Rockets B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns (one rush/two pass receptions) in a 31-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1947. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) had a career-long 44-yard touchdown catch in a 48-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1981. . . . Los Angeles Rams WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) opened the game's scoring with a 92-yard touchdown reception in a 31-10 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1958. . . . San Francisco 49ers QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 35-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1975. TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) caught a career-long 60-yard TD pass from Snead. . . . Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had four pass receptions for 131 yards in a 17-10 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1969. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted four times for 200 yards (50.0 average) in a 49-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) provided the Staten Island Stapletons' lone score with a 37-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter in a 7-6 setback against the Providence Steam Roller in 1930.
20: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940. . . . Detroit Lions rookie TB J.R. Callahan (Texas Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) threw a 56-yard touchdown pass in a 35-14 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1946. The previous week, Callahan rushed for a six-yard TD in 36-14 setback against the Chicago Cardinals. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Dobie Craig (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Howard Payne TX in 1960-61) had a 93-yard pass reception and run for touchdown in 49-26 win against the New York Jets in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) opened the game's scoring with a 19-yard rushing touchdown in a 24-14 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown in a 20-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1968. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes - including two of league-high 11 TD receptions for SE Karl Noonan (member of Iowa's basketball squad in 1963-64) - in a 24-22 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968. Rookie DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) registered a safety by tackling Griese. . . . Rookie B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) scored the Buffalo Bisons' only touchdown with a 34-yard pass reception in a 7-7 tie against the Providence Steam Roller in 1929. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two touchdown passes in a 17-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 286 yards (47.7 average) in a 37-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1963. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes for the second week in a row in 2013. Jackson had 10 receptions for 138 yards. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-27 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1957. . . . FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) scored the Baltimore Colts' first touchdown with an 11-yard pass reception from Johnny Unitas in 25-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1963. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 20-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1991. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first hoops All-American in 1939) threw a 71-yard touchdown pass to Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) in 16-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1940. . . . CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) opened the Houston Oilers' scoring by intercepting a Joe Namath pass and returning it 51 yards for touchdown in 26-17 setback against the New York Jets in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) converted all five of his field-goal attempts in a 29-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1968. . . . Minnesota Vikings WR Jerry Reichow (Iowa hooper in 1954-55) caught a 57-yard touchdown pass from Fran Tarkenton in 27-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1963. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 309 yards in a 38-27 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Chicago Bears TE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) opened the game's scoring with a 34-yard touchdown catch from Sid Luckman in 21-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Kitrick Taylor (Washington State hooper in 1984-85 and 1986-87) returned five punts for 79 yards in a 30-24 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1991. . . . New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in 17-6 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1991. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Wilbur White (Colorado State letterman from 1932 through 1935) threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) in 24-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1935. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 31-17 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.
21: Washington Redskins FB Frank Akins (averaged 1.7 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 24-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945. . . . LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) opened the Houston Texans' scoring with a safety tackling QB Joe Flacco in 43-13 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. . . . Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) rushed for two touchdowns in a 58-27 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1956. Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two second-quarter TD receptions (37 and 68 yards). . . . Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) accounted for all of the game's scoring with three field goals in a 9-0 win against the Minneapolis Marines in 1923. . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman hooper in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a 27-yard interception return in a 21-19 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2007. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-8 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 1999. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-6 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1973. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 216 yards - including one for a league-high 95 yards - in 35-28 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2012. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-17 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1956. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) passed for 294 yards and two second-quarter touchdowns in a 31-13 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. . . . Atlanta Falcons rookie CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned an interception 81 yards in 41-0 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973. Six years later, Lawrence returned a blocked punt 41 yards for touchdown in 20-15 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. . . . WR Greg Little (collected five points and five rebounds in 10 basketball games for North Carolina in 2007-08 under coach Roy Williams) opened the Cleveland Browns' scoring with a touchdown catch from Brandon Weeden in 17-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Bill Mackrides (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass in 26-24 setback against the New York Giants in 1951. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had five pass receptions for 161 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 44-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1990. . . . Boston B Frank Sachse (All-Border Conference second-team forward for Texas Tech in 1937-38 with 16.8 ppg) threw an 80-yard touchdown pass in 38-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1945. . . . Baltimore Colts rookie LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) secured a safety in 35-15 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1962. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 45-28 win against the New York Giants in 1973. Six years later, Staubach threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 22-13 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979. . . . Indianapolis Colts TE Erik Swoope (averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Miami FL from 2010-11 through 2013-14) caught a touchdown pass from QB Andrew Luck in his third consecutive contest in 2018. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in a 49-28 setback against the New England Patriots in 2007. . . . New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown in a 26-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951.
22: New York Giants B Len Barnum (West Virginia Wesleyan hooper) rushed for a touchdown in his second consecutive contest in 1939. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught a touchdown pass from Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) for the third consecutive contest in 1950. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for three touchdowns in a 28-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Chicago Bears rookie TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-0 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1961. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes in a 30-27 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006. Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught six passes for 138 yards. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-7 win against the Dallas Texans in 1961. . . . Green Bay Packers RB-K Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) converted all four of his field-goal attempts in a 33-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1961. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes to Albert Connell in a 35-16 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 361 yards - including two first-half touchdowns - in a 30-23 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1972. . . . E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) accounted for the Chicago Bears' lone touchdown with a 24-yard catch from Red Grange in the fourth quarter in 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1933. . . . Rookie FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) scored the Dallas Cowboys' lone touchdown with five-yard pass from Don Meredith in second game in a row in 1961. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 302 yards - including three second-half touchdowns - in a 23-21 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006. . . . Rookie DB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) opened the Houston Oilers' scoring with a 92-yard kickoff return for touchdown in 24-19 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967. . . . Baltimore Colts HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) had two touchdown pass receptions in a 70-27 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. Fellow HB Rip Collins (guard for LSU's basketball team from 1945 to 1947) had a 63-yard pass reception for the Colts. . . . Chicago Bears E Dick Plasman (Vanderbilt two-year starting hoops center named to 1936 All-SEC Tournament second five) caught a 68-yard touchdown pass from Sid Luckman in 16-13 setback against the New York Giants in 1939. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had 12 pass receptions for 160 yards in a 27-10 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1961. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 87 yards for touchdown in 36-22 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2006. . . . New York Giants rookie B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) had a 70-yard rushing touchdown in 21-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1933. . . . Detroit Lions rookie E Dick Rifenburg (scored nine points in five basketball games for Michigan in 1948-49) had a 19-yard touchdown reception in 28-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1950. . . . Green Bay Packers LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) had two interceptions in a 48-21 win against the New York Giants in 1967. . . . Chicago Bears QB Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) threw three touchdown passes - all at least 28 yards - in a 21-21 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1944. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Tom Rychlec (collected four points and six rebounds in one hoops game for American International MA in 1954-55) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 52-21 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1961. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had at least one interception in his fourth consecutive contest in 1961. . . . Detroit Lions B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) opened the game's scoring with a 58-yard rushing touchdown in a 26-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1939. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 321 yards - including two first-quarter touchdown passes highlighted by 87-yarder to Ben Hawkins - in a 48-14 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967. . . . Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught three touchdown passes from Harry Gilmer in a 38-28 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars WR Cedric Tillman (averaged 4.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg while serving as part-time starter for Alcorn State in 1990-91) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown catch from Mark Brunell in a 23-15 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1995. It was Tillman's third consecutive contest with a TD reception. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie DE Norm Willey (Marshall center in late 1940s) opened the game's scoring by returning an interception 41 yards for a touchdown in 17-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1950.
23: Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 167 yards in a 31-29 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) rushed for a first-half touchdown in his fourth consecutive contest of the month in 1955. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught five passes for 111 yards in a 27-16 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1977. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-21 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2014. . . . New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 62-7 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2011. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes for the second straight game in 1977. . . . Houston Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught three first-half touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 42-28 win against the New York Titans in 1960. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two of his league-high 13 touchdowns in a 41-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1960. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 35-28 setback against the New York Giants in 1949. . . . Arizona Cardinals DB David Macklin (collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists for Penn State in 15 basketball games as freshman in 1996-97) returned an interception 60 yards for touchdown in 20-10 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2005. . . . A fourth-quarter field goal by Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) boosted the Chicago Bears to a 13-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1972. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two of his AFL-high 14 touchdown catches in a 42-28 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored two long touchdowns (75-yard pass reception and 77-yard run from scrimmage) in 49-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1949. . . . New England Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Grogan in a 31-0 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1983. . . . Cleveland Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1955. . . . Green Bay Packers E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) opened the game's scoring by returning an interception 16 yards for a touchdown in 13-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-3 win against the New York Giants in 1966. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 10 of his AFL-leading 92 pass receptions in a 31-24 win against the Boston Patriots in 1960. Broncos DB Bob McNamara (averaged 1.3 ppg for Minnesota in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Ozzie Cowles) chipped in with two interceptions. . . . New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a 35-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1949. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle (37 and 72 yards) in a 34-23 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1955.
24: New York Giants E O'Neal Adams (three-year letterman was third-leading scorer in 1941 when Arkansas reached NCAA Tournament national semifinals) opened the game's scoring by returning a blocked punt 34 yards for a touchdown in a 42-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) completed 14-of-20 passes (including two touchdowns) and rushed for one TD in a 31-27 loss against the Oakland Raiders in 1971. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 177 yards on 24 carries in a 38-14 win against the New York Giants in 1965. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns in a 28-20 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1937. . . . Cleveland Browns B Bob Cowan (averaged 1.7 ppg for Indiana in 1942-43) caught a career-best 63-yard touchdown pass from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 35-7 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. It was one of four TD passes for Graham. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 27-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1971. WR Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two of Dawson's TD passes. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught five passes for 218 yards - including two 44-yard touchdowns - in a 34-24 win against the New York Jets in 1964. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers TB Ray Evans (two-time All-American was four-year hoops letterman and second-leading scorer for Kansas in 1942 NCAA Tournament) threw two touchdown passes in a 34-27 setback against the New York Giants in 1948. . . . Only pass reception of pro career for George Grimes (Virginia hoops letterman in 1943) was a 17-yard touchdown from Detroit Lions teammate Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) in a 34-27 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 37-34 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2010. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for two touchdowns in a 37-31 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1954. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes to Charley Taylor in a 27-20 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1971. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) scored two touchdowns (one pass reception/one rushing) in a 41-27 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1993. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) scored two third-quarter touchdowns in a 49-27 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Green Bay Packers HB Jack McAuliffe (member of Beloit WI squads capturing three successive state and Midwest hoop titles, winning 39 of 41 games and going undefeated in 1921-22 and 1923-24) opened the game's scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass in 35-0 win against the Racine Tornadoes in 1926. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 376 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-31 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2004. In the midst of five consecutive contests with more than 100 receiving yards, Eagles WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half TD passes from McNabb. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers E Max Morris (All-American in 1945 and 1946 when two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection averaged 16.3 ppg for Northwestern) had a 24-yard touchdown pass reception in 35-14 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) rushed for two of his AAFC-high 10 touchdowns in a 35-21 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Dallas Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Danny White in a 31-21 win against the Chicago Bears in 1976. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two second-half touchdown catches in a 30-21 win against the Boston Patriots in 1965. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Mikhael Ricks (played three hoop games for Stephen F. Austin in 1995-96) had a career-high six pass receptions in a 31-3 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1999. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Oscar Roan (averaged 5.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg for SMU in 1973-74) provided the game-winning touchdown with a fourth-quarter pass reception from Brian Sipe in 21-17 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1976. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie B Frank Sachse (All-Border Conference second-team forward for Texas Tech in 1937-38 with 16.8 ppg) threw a 57-yard touchdown pass in 33-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1943. . . . Washington Redskins DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in a 24-20 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes to Bob Hayes in a 44-21 win against the New England Patriots in 1971. . . . New York Giants E Will Walls (starting forward with TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) caught a 31-yard touchdown pass in a 42-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 37-31 win against the Detroit Lions in 1954. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State hoops letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw three touchdown passes in a 49-27 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948.
25: Chicago Bears E Connie Mack Berry (All-Southern Conference second-team selection as North Carolina State hoops center in 1937 and 1938) scored the Chicago Bears' last two touchdowns (32-yard rush and 46-yard fumble return) as they remained undefeated (11-0) with a 45-14 win against the Philadelpia Eagles in 1942. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught 13 passes for 168 yards in a 27-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1964. . . . Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned an interception 26 yards in a 27-3 win against the Boston Patriots in 1970. The previous week, Duncan returned an INT 30 yards in a 29-22 win against the New York Jets. . . . Green Bay Packers TB Weert Englemann (All-NCC for South Dakota State) scored three first-quarter touchdowns - two on passes from Red Dunn (four-year Marquette letterman first half of 1920s) and an 85-yard kickoff return - in a 48-20 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1931. . . . Chicago Bears rookie WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught six passes for 147 yards in a 16-10 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1970. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes in a 42-23 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2018. It was the third of five consecutive contests where Hopkins had at least one TD reception from Deshaun Watson. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught five passes for 142 yards in a 37-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. . . . Philadelphia Eagles FB Bert Johnson (played one game in 1934-35 under legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp) had a 3-yard touchdown reception in a 45-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1942. . . . E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) supplied the Chicago Bears' lone touchdown with a 14-yard pass reception in a 12-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1936. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) scored the game's lone touchdown by returning an interception 57 yards in a 9-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1936. . . . Atlanta Falcons rookie DE Randy Marshall (letterman on 1966 NWC championship hoops squad for Linfield OR) returned a fumble recovery for touchdown in 32-14 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1970. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1970. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 34-7 win against the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1930. . . . A 46-yard touchdown catch by E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) in the fourth quarter gave the San Francisco 49ers a 20-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1959. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) scored two second-half touchdowns in a 28-10 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1998. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught nine passes for 152 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 40-7 win against the Denver Broncos in 1964. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) had more than 100 receiving yards for the second straight game in 1981. . . . New York Giants B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) rushed for go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 21-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) returned an interception 13 yards in a 34-10 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles DE Tom Scott (hoops letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) recovered a fumble for touchdown in 56-17 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1953. . . . New York Giants LB Lou Slaby (collected two points and two rebounds in two basketball games for Pittsburgh in 1960-61) had an interception in 42-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1964. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted seven times for 321 yards (45.9 average) in a 27-16 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1970. . . . New York Giants B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) returned an interception 77 yards for a touchdown in 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931.
26: WR Don Alley (collected 12 points and 13 rebounds in seven hoops games for Adams State CO in 1963-64) had a career-long 16-yard pass reception from Terry Hanratty for the Pittsburgh Steelers' lone score in 14-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1969. . . . A three-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter by Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) was the difference in 21-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1975. . . . A touchdown catch by New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) with 3:07 remaining was the difference in 21-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for four touchdowns - two of them for 41 and 62 yards - in a 38-24 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1958. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 25-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1930. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 20-17 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. . . . New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in a 38-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947. . . . Rookie B Clyde Crabtree (Florida hoops letterman in 1928 and 1929) scored the only touchdown for the Frankfort Yellow Jackets (44-yard pass reception) in a 13-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1930. . . . Rookie WR Dobie Craig (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Howard Payne TX in 1960-61) opened the Oakland Raiders' scoring with a 34-yard touchdown catch from Cotton Davidson in 26-16 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) caught two touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 27-7 win against the Boston Yanks in 1947. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw three of his league-high 20 touchdown passes - one of them to Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) - in a 34-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1952. . . . Dallas Cowboys TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) had career highs with seven pass receptions for 93 yards in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 14-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-6 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1969. . . . Cincinnati Bengals DE Harry Gunner (J.C. transfer averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Oregon State, playing on NCAA playoff team in 1966) returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown in a 42-22 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 306 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-21 tie against the Cleveland Browns in 1969. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 73 yards for touchdown in 35-6 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 52-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1952. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught eight passes for 131 yards in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one of them 55 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown - in a 31-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1986. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) had three interceptions in a 24-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1969. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first hoops All-American in 1939) had a 75-yard rushing touchdown in 21-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 23-13 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1930. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-26 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1980. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown in a 33-21 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003. . . . Rookie TE Oscar Roan (averaged 5.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg for SMU in 1973-74) accounted for the Cleveland Browns' only touchdown with a 15-yard pass reception from Brian Sipe in 23-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1975. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 314 yards in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-35 tie against the New York Jets in 1963. . . . New England Patriots LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) had two sacks in a 23-16 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2008. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) threw a 12-yard touchdown pass for the Staten Island Stapletons' only score in 6-6 tie with the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1929.
27: Denver Broncos QB Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 21-14 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie HB Don Durdan (Oregon State hoops letterman from 1941 to 1943) caught a touchdown pass from Frankie Albert in a 34-20 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1946. . . . Houston Texans TE Darren Fells (led UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons while averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Deshaun Watson in 27-24 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2019. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 11 pass receptions. . . . New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two of his NFL-high 16 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 35-17 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2013. . . . Rookie B Swede Hagberg (three-year West Virginia hoops letterman in late 1920s) scored the Buffalo Bisons' only touchdown with a 55-yard pass reception in a 14-6 setback against the Boston Bulldogs in 1929. . . . Green Bay Packers rookie RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-21 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1957. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught two of the TD passes in the second half. Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-half TD passes in a 23-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1974. . . . E Chuck Kassel (Illinois hoops letterman in 1925 and 1926) accounted for the Chicago Cardinals' lone touchdown with a 28-yard catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 7-6 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1929. . . . Miami Dolphins RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) scored two first-half touchdowns - 71-yard run from scrimmage and 10-yard pass reception from Dan Marino - in a 36-33 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1997. The previous year as a rookie, McPhail returned two kickoffs for 69 yards in 29-10 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia (21 and 61 yards) in a 38-28 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2002. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) converted all four of his field-goal attempts - including a decisive 47-yarder in the fourth quarter - in 26-24 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1968. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 34-33 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1963. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) had a 45-yard pass reception for touchdown in 28-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1946. . . . B Dave Ryan (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) had the Detroit Lions' only score by returning a fumble recovery 36 yards for touchdown in 10-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1946. . . . Cincinnati Bengals rookie WR S.T. Saffold (two-time All-WCAC first-team choice led San Jose State in scoring and rebounding all three seasons from 1963-64 through 1965-66 while averaging 14.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg) had career highs of five pass receptions for 66 yards in a 31-10 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1968. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in a 48-14 win against the Boston Patriots in 1968. . . . An 11-yard pass reception by E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) for a fourth-quarter touchdown propelled the San Francisco 49ers to a 21-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1957. . . . TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett in the fourth quarter to power the New England Patriots to a 17-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1974. . . . New York Giants LB Bill Winter (St. Olaf MN hoops letterman averaged 5.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1960-61 and 1961-62) had an interception in 33-6 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1963.
28: Indianapolis Colts rookie TE Mo Alie-Cox (three-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Team selection averaged 7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.8 bpg for four VCU NCAA playoff squads from 2014 through 2017) opened game's scoring with a one-handed, 26-yard touchdown reception from Andrew Luck in a 42-28 victory against the Oakland Raiders in 2018. . . . Chicago Bears FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) had four of his NFL-leading 12 rushing touchdowns in a 38-21 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1956, giving him 10 rushing TDs during the month. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) provided a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 49-yard pass to Joe Geri in a 28-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns - including one for 82 yards - in a 38-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1934. . . . For the third consecutive contest, B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) accounted for all of the Chicago Cardinals' scoring in a 13-3 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1923. . . . Chicago Bears rookie HB Beattie Feathers (Tennessee hoops regular in 1931-32) scored two touchdowns for the second straight game in 1934. . . . A seven-yard touchdown reception by Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) in the fourth quarter from Joe Ferguson gave the Buffalo Bills a 20-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1979. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 35-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2007. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-13 win against the New York Giants in 1951. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) scored two touchdowns - including a 72-yard punt return - in a 21-3 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had three sacks and five tackles in a 23-22 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2012. . . . Boston Redskins B Steve Hokuf (first-team All-Big Six Conference hoops selection for Nebraska in 1931 and 1933) supplied the game's lone touchdown with a 45-yard pass in a 9-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1934. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2001. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught two of Johnson's TD passes including opening the game's scoring with an 86-yard strike. Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 40-28 win against the New York Jets in 1973. . . . Carolina Panthers TE Jeff King (collected 18 points and 23 rebounds in 16 games as Virginia Tech freshman in 2004-05) had 10 pass receptions in a 31-7 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-23 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1951. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 333 yards in a 23-16 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. . . . Denver Broncos TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Frank Tripucka in a 45-38 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four hoops scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1934. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had 11 pass receptions for 269 yards in a 49-34 win against the Washington Redskins in 1962. Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 346 yards - including four touchdowns (one in each quarter). . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught six passes for 159 yards in a 31-20 win against the New England Patriots in 2001. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-16 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973. Cowboys WR Otto Stowe (collected 12 points and five rebounds in four Iowa State basketball games in 1968-69) had two TD receptions.
29: New York Giants E Red Badgro (All-Pacific Coast Conference first-five pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened the game's scoring with a 15-yard touchdown reception in a 34-7 win against the Newark Tornadoes in 1930. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1944. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught seven passes for 126 yards in a 16-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. . . . In 1950, Los Angeles Rams rookie RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) scored a touchdown in his third different game of the month (45-yard pass from Norm Van Brocklin). . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie E Ben Douglas (two-time All-MVC second-team hoops selection for Grinnell IA in 1929-30 and 1930-31) accounted for the game's only score with a touchdown on pass reception in 7-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1933. It was Douglas' lone professional TD. . . . Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two second-half touchdown passes of more than 40 yards to John Greene in a 65-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. . . . Chicago Bears WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught five passes for 141 yards in a 27-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. . . . TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two touchdown passes from Russell Wilson in the last 5 1/2 minutes to give the Seattle Seahawks a 41-38 win against the Houston Texans in 2017. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught eight passes for career-high 224 yards. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) had an interception in his fourth consecutive contest of the month in 1967. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 26-8 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1978. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (Heidelberg OH scoring average leader as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) had two of his AFL-leading 17 pass reception touchdowns in a 28-16 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1961. Groman was in the midst of having at least two TD catches four times in a five-game span. . . . New York Giants rookie E Pete Hall (collected 20 points and 13 rebounds in 17 Marquette games in 1957-58 and 1958-59) caught a 20-yard pass in 17-16 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . San Diego Chargers LB Bob Laraba (collected eight points and six rebounds in five UTEP basketball games in 1957-58 and 1958-59) returned an interception 57 yards for touchdown in 37-0 win against the Denver Broncos in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) had a career-high 66 rushing yards in 17-16 win against the New York Giants in 1961. . . . Chicago Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) threw two touchdown passes in a 14-10 win against the New York Giants in 1933. . . . E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) had at least 100 receiving yards for the first of six times in the San Francisco 49ers' last eight games of the 1961 season. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 34-24 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2000. . . . New York Yankees E Barney Poole (Ole Miss hoops letterman in 1943) caught a 52-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in the fourth quarter in a 38-27 win against the Chicago Bears in 1950. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had seven pass receptions for 173 yards in a 29-26 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes in a 41-20 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1978. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Bob Shaw (Ohio State hoops starter in 1942 and 1943) caught a touchdown pass in all five games of the month in 1950. . . . Rookie WR Dave Stief (hoops teammate of Portland State All-American Freeman Williams in 1977-78) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Jim Hart to put the St. Louis Cardinals ahead to stay in a 16-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as hoops center in 1938 and 1939) rushed for a fourth-quarter touchdown to account for the decisive score in 24-17 win against the New York Giants in 1944.
30: Kansas City Chiefs TE Reg Carolan (Idaho three-year hoops letterman in early 1960s averaged 4 ppg and 4.7 rpg) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 48-23 win against the Houston Oilers in 1966. . . . Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) provided a rushing touchdown and two extra points in 14-6 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1927. . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman hooper in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 12 tackles, seven assists and an interception in a 23-0 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2011. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 23-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught 10 passes for 145 yards - including three for touchdowns - from Drew Brees in a 28-20 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. . . . Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg while leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught an 84-yard touchdown pass from Don Meredith in 52-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1966. . . . Green Bay Packers B Roger Grove (forward led Michigan State in scoring in 1929-30 and 1930-31) caught two touchdown passes in a 26-0 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had three of his league-high nine touchdown receptions in a 31-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955. . . . Green Bay Packers RB-K Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) kicked four field goals in a 19-13 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1960. . . . Washington Redskins DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had an interception in his third different game of the month in 1977. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had two interceptions in a 14-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1977. The next year, Lawrence had two INTs in a 15-7 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978. . . . New York Giants rookie E Frank LoVuolo (three-year St. Bonaventure hoops letterman in mid-1940s) returned a fumble recovery 25 yards for a touchdown in 41-38 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949. . . . Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in a 48-35 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (89 and 17 yards) in a 17-3 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes - including a 91-yarder to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 49-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 2005. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Kelly in a 44-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1994. . . . Duluth Eskimos FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five hoops choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for three touchdowns in a 21-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1927. . . . Houston Oilers QB Gifford Nielsen (BYU swingman averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75) threw two touchdown passes to Mike Renfro in a 25-19 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1983. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 153 yards on 18 carries - including a 78-yarder for a touchdown - in a 44-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977. . . . Denver Broncos S Al Romine (four-year hoops letterman from 1951-52 through 1954-55 for Florence State AL) returned an interception 20 yards in 17-14 setback against the Dallas Texans in 1960. Broncos DB Bob McNamara (averaged 1.3 ppg for Minnesota in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Ozzie Cowles) caught a 55-yard touchdown pass from Frank Tripucka. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) returned an interception 13 yards in a 52-21 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1966. . . . Cleveland Bulldogs rookie RB Jim Simmons (made half-court shot at buzzer boosting Southwestern Oklahoma State to conference crown) had rushing touchdown in fourth game in a row in 1927. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 37-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 1977. . . . In the midst of five consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had five pass receptions for 187 yards in a 48-23 win against the Houston Oilers in 1966. . . . New York Giants rookie B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) returned an interception for touchdown in 16-0 win against the Pottsville Maroons in 1927.
31: Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) had an interception in a 31-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw six touchdown passes - three of them at least 44 yards - in a 48-10 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1943. Five years later, Baugh threw four TD passes - all of them at least 38 yards - in a 59-21 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Philadelphia Eagles E Tony Bova (St. Francis PA hoops letterman in 1942) caught two touchdown passes (31 and 26 yards) from Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as hoops center in 1938 and 1939) in a 34-13 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1943. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 14-13 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1937. . . . Denver Broncos WR Andre Cooper (collected 29 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists in seven Florida State games as freshman in 1993-94) had a career-high four pass receptions in a 23-20 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1999. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 42-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2004. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught eight passes for 125 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 45-35 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2004. . . . Washington Redskins rookie B Howard Hartley (Duke hoops letterman in 1944) rushed for a 26-yard touchdown in a 59-21 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Red Hickey (three-time All-SWC selection and member of Arkansas' 1941 Final Four team) caught three second-half touchdown passes in a 27-22 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948. . . . Chicago Bears rookie E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had four of his league-high 12 touchdown receptions in a 31-27 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had an interception and returned three kickoffs a total of 97 yards in 23-20 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1976. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2010. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) scored three touchdowns (two rushing/one receiving) in a 35-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. . . . Cincinnati Bengals WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Carson Palmer in a 22-14 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2010. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked three field goals in a 23-19 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns (55-yard punt return and 18-yard fumble return) in a 34-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (49 and 35 yards) in a 35-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 50.2 yards on five punts in a 23-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions for 147 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 31-24 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1993. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught nine passes for 208 yards - including 80-yard touchdown from Jake Plummer - in a 41-28 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 23-21 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1965.
Impact of former college hoopers on professional football in September
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 30 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former hoopers for three different Big Apple universities - Hank Greenberg (NYU), Buddy Hassett (Manhattan) and Joe Zapustas (Fordham) - plus two IL small colleges - Bill Conroy (Illinois Wesleyan) and Roe Skidmore (Millikin) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 30
Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) closed out his 1933 rookie campaign with a four-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians.
RHP Mike Barlow (Syracuse substitute from 1967-68 through 1969-70) shipped by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Houston Astros in 1975 to complete an earlier deal.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) collected four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1961 game.
C Bill Conroy (Illinois Wesleyan hooper in early 1930s) selected by Boston Red Sox in 1941 Rule 5 draft.
In 1967, Houston Astros LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as sophomore in 1961-62) posted his third relief victory in as many decisions in a 19-day span.
Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) fired as San Diego Padres manager in 1979.
LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) smacked a ninth-inning grand slam against the St. Louis Browns on final day of 1945 campaign to clinch the A.L. pennant for the Detroit Tigers.
New York Yankees 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) twice knocked in Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio with safeties in a 7-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of the 1942 World Series.
In 1975, 1B-OF Doug Howard (All-WAC second-team selection with Brigham Young in 1968-69 and 1969-70) shipped by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Cleveland Indians to complete an earlier deal.
OF-1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered a homer against the New York Yankees in the Senators' final game in Washington in 1971.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) tripled twice against the Boston Braves in a 1943 contest.
OF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California junior college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) purchased from the Brooklyn Dodgers by the Washington Senators for $50,000 in 1949.
OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three seasons and in assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90) smacked a pinch, two-run homer for the Montreal Expos in the top of the ninth inning in 1993. Pride's blast was the difference in a 5-3 win against the Florida Marlins.
Setting the stage for a 1951 playoff with the New York Giants, INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped an upper-deck homer in the 14th inning off Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47), giving the Brooklyn Dodgers a 9-8 victory. Five years later, New York Giants rookie 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) whacked two homers off Roberts in the opener of a 1956 twinbill while Robinson homered in his final MLB game.
New York Mets RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) homered twice in the 1971 season finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Utilityman Roe Skidmore (scored 41 points for Millikin IL in game against Illinois College on 1-28-66) shipped by Cincinnati Reds to St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 to complete a deal made two months earlier.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) amassed 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 12 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds in 1964.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader in 1958-59 and 1959-60 when named All-Evergreen Conference) earned his first MLB victory with a five-hit, complete-game 12-2 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961.
INF Whitey Wietelmann (hoops captain for Muskingum OH in mid-1940s) traded by the Boston Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.
Philadelphia Phillies OF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) contributed two of his NL-leading 41 homers in a 6-4 win against the Brooklyn Robins in 1923.
San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) went 4-for-4 with two homers against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2005 game.
Philadelphia Athletics LF Joe Zapustas (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) secured his lone MLB hit (single against Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1933 doubleheader).
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 29 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former San Diego State hoop regulars Tony Clark, Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto pitchers Bob Gibson and Dennis Rasmussen after meaningful hoop careers with Creighton. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 29
Cincinnati Reds RF Frank Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first basketball player in Ohio University history to reach 1,000-point plateau) banged out four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1948 contest.
Detroit Tigers rookie 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) cracked two homers for the second time in last 13 games of the 1996 campaign.
In the opener of a 1934 doubleheader, Washington Senators LHP Syd Cohen (Alabama letterman in 1927) became the last A.L. hurler to strike out New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth and allow the Bambino a home run.
Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1929 and 1930) closed out the 1940 campaign with a career-high nine-game hitting streak.
Light-hitting Chicago White Sox SS Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken) closed out the 1957 campaign with at least one walk in his last seven games.
3B Gene Freese (hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies for player-manager Solly Hemus in 1958.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) went 3-for-4, including his fifth homer of the 1965 campaign, in an 8-6 win against the San Francisco Giants.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) provided seven hits in a 1999 doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) fired as Baltimore Orioles manager in 2003.
Chicago White Sox C Duane Josephson (led Northern Iowa in scoring in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) closed out the 1968 campaign with his fifth two-hit game in final nine contests.
In 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) became the first MLB hurler in the 20th Century to achieve a third 300-strikeout season.
Boston Braves RF Joe Mowry (Iowa letterman in 1929-30 and 1930-31) went 3-for-3 against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1935 twinbill.
Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-5 against the Philadelphia Athletics to capture the 1935 A.L. batting championship (.349).
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) lashed two homers against the Cleveland Indians in 1974. Two years later, Nettles collected two doubles, two round-trippers and six RBI against the Boston Red Sox in a 9-6 win in 1976.
Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 4-for-4 with five RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1972 outing.
Los Angeles Dodgers SS Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) closed out the 1968 campaign by going 10-for-18 on a five-game road trip to Chicago and Atlanta.
Kansas City Royals LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) hurled a one-hit shutout against the California Angels in 1992.
LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) purchased from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1943.
New York Yankees rookie 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) registered four hits against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1934 doubleheader.
Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) named Cincinnati Reds manager in 1953.
Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) won both ends of a 1978 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 28 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former NCAA Division I conference all-league hoopers Ted Lyons (Baylor), Bill McCahan (Duke) and Will Venable (Princeton) made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 28
2B Frank Baker (Southern Mississippi hoops letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67), replacing Bobby Grich in the Baltimore Orioles' lineup, belted his only MLB homer, a grand slam, and finished with six RBI in an 18-4 trouncing of the Cleveland Indians in the nightcap of a 1973 doubleheader.
In the finale of the 1952 campaign, Chicago Cubs lefthanded OF Frank Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) reached base on an error after switching over and swinging righthanded at the only delivery Hall of Fame 1B-OF Stan Musial threw from the mound at the MLB level. Musial, who began his Organized Baseball career as a pitcher before incurring an injury, claimed his sixth N.L. batting crown (.336) and Baumholtz finished runner-up (.325).
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) provided his second extra-inning steal of home plate in 1928.
LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) slugged a 12th-inning homer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in 1965.
Philadelphia Phillies LHP Dick Koecher (Temple hoops letterman in 1943-44) hurled his lone MLB complete game in a 4-1 setback against the New York Giants in opener of 1947 twinbill.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) provided three hits in both ends of a 1943 doubleheader split against the Boston Braves.
In a City Series duel, Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) blanked the Cubs on three hits in only 1 hour and 18 minutes in 1942. The 41-year-old Lyons then departed to enlist as a private in the Marine Corps for military service during World War II.
RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke hoops letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) traded by Philadelphia Athletics to Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.
Baltimore Orioles rookie RHP Ben McDonald (started six times as freshman forward for LSU in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians in 1990.
In 1952, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) registered his 28th victory (7-4 over New York Giants) with his 30th complete game.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920), who hit safely in all nine World Series outings in his career, provided three safeties in the 1932 opener against the New York Yankees.
Detroit Tigers utilityman Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) socked a game-tying, two-run pinch homer off the New York Yankees' Goose Gossage in the bottom of the eighth inning in 1980.
In a 1938 contest, C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) blasted a grand slam (10th such homer of the season for the Detroit Tigers).
San Diego Padres RF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as junior and second-team choice as senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) whacked his first MLB grand slam (against Chicago Cubs in 2011).
New York Mets RHP Joe Vitko (averaged 4.9 ppg and 3.6 rpg for St. Francis PA in 1987-88 and 1988-89 under coach Jim Baron) lost his lone MLB start in nightcap of 1992 twinbill.
In 1965, St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) contributed three extra-base hits in a game against his original team (San Francisco Giants).
Rookie pinch-hitter Bob Will (Mankato State MN captain in 1954-55 with 8.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg) stroked a two-run single in the eighth inning to put the Chicago Cubs ahead to stay in a 6-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957. Five years later, Will's two-run pinch double catapulted the Cubbies to a 3-2 triumph against the New York Mets in 1962.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 27 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Former Swarthmore PA hoopers Dick Hall and Curly Ogden supplied significant American League pitching performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 27
Baltimore Orioles 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's three leading basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) smacked his first MLB homer (against Boston Red Sox in 1960).
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Walter Alston (Miami OH hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) fanned in his lone MLB at-bat (against Chicago Cubs in 1936).
In 1983, RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) hurled the first one-hitter in Seattle Mariners history.
Seattle Mariners OF Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) went 4-for-4, including a triple and homer, in 5-3 win against the Texas Rangers in 1987.
Baltimore Orioles OF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1977 game. Three years later, Bumbry stole three bases against the Cleveland Indians in a 1980 contest.
Minnesota Twins rookie 3B John Castino (medical redshirt for Rollins FL in 1973-74 under coach Ed Jucker) contributed three hits in back-to-back games against the Chicago White Sox in 1979.
LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as a sophomore in 1961-62) made his MLB debut in 1963 as a reliever for the Houston Colt .45s, who started nine rookies including 1B Rusty Staub, 2B Joe Morgan and C Jerry Grote.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched two homers for the fourth time in an 18-game span in 1938.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for three Swarthmore PA Southern Division champions in Middle Atlantic States Conference) became the first pitcher in 51 years to end a season with more victories (10) than walks (6 in 61 innings).
C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) whacked a pair of homers to spark the San Francisco Giants to an 8-4 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. Three years later with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Haller delivered four RBI, including a go-ahead, two-run triple in the ninth inning of a 5-2 win against the Atlanta Braves in 1968.
New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) hurled a shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies to finish the 1950 campaign with a N.L.-leading ERA of 2.49.
Kansas City Royals LF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) whacked back-to-back homers against the Oakland Athletics in a 1977 outing.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) delivered four hits in a 16-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs in 1920.
Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) completed his 151st errorless game for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1942. He was the first OF to avoid an error the entire season.
Kansas City Athletics SS Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship hoops team) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in a 1960 game.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season) went 4-for-4 in a 5-4 win against the Montreal Expos in 1978.
RF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) knocked in all of the Baltimore Orioles' runs in a 6-4 loss against the Boston Red Sox in 1998.
Washington Senators RHP Curly Ogden (Swarthmore PA hoops center in 1919, 1920 and 1922) hurled a three-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox in 1925.
Winning LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) pounded a three-run homer in a 10-1 victory against the Washington Senators as the Boston Red Sox reached the 200-homer plateau for the first time in franchise history.
Boston Braves RHP Al Pierotti (Washington & Lee VA captain of school's undefeated 1917 hoops squad) posted his lone MLB victory (complete-game 3-2 verdict over New York Giants in 1920).
Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Jeff Shaw (freshman guard for Rio Grande OH hoops squad compiling 31-5 record and reaching second round of 1985 NAIA Tournament) secured his 10th save in as many relief appearances during the month in 1998.
In 1962, Houston Astros RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia hoops captain in 1951-52) won his fourth game of the month as a reliever.
Detroit Tigers SS Johnnie Watson (Marshall hoops letterman from 1926-27 through 1929-30) contributed a double and RBI in both ends of a 1930 doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.
In the midst of securing an RBI in 11 of final 12 outings of 1964, St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) doubled in his fourth consecutive contest.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Mark in September 26 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Two Iowa small-college hoopers - Larry Biittner (Buena Vista) and Paul Splittorff (Morningside) - supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
SEPTEMBER 26
New York Yankees rookie SS Frank Baker (Southern Mississippi basketball letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67) banged out three hits for the second consecutive contest against the Detroit Tigers in 1970.
In 1972, Milwaukee Brewers RHP Jerry Bell (Belmont hooper in 1965-66 and 1966-67) posted his fifth victory in as many decisions in the span of a month.
Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a 1924 doubleheader.
Chicago Cubs LF Larry Biittner (runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) supplied three extra-base hits in a 10-7 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977.
Chicago White Sox SS Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken), who hit .207 in his 10-year MLB career, went 3-for-3 against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1958 game.
Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) stroked three extra-base hits against the San Diego Padres in a 1972 contest.
Intended as a sacrifice, Hall of Fame C Rick Ferrell (Guilford NC hooper in mid-1920s) contributed a bunt single in 1941 that was the only hit for the St. Louis Browns against Cleveland Indians P Bob Feller.
Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) had his no-hit bid end with two outs in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians in 1978.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected five extra-base hits, five runs and nine RBI in a 1934 twinbill sweep of the Chicago White Sox.
In 1954, 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered his 25th homer at Ebbets Field (a new Brooklyn Dodgers single-season record). Hodges also finished the year with a MLB-high 18 sacrifice flies.
New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) delivered three extra-base hits and four of his N.L.-high 121 RBI against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1951 game.
Philadelphia Phillies RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) made his 71st relief appearance of the 1950 campaign. It was a MLB record (subsequently broken).
In a 1986 outing, Toronto Blue Jays DH Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's junior varsity team in 1975-76) went 3-for-3 against Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) capped off his 1954 Rookie of the Year season with an 11th-inning, two-run homer at Milwaukee.
RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer during two years he attended Mount Morris IL in early 1930s) purchased from the Boston Braves by the Cincinnati Reds in 1949.
In 1951, Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) annoyed the Boston Braves by stealing home with a 13-3 lead in the eighth inning.
New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU hoop teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) fired his third three-hit shutout of the 1941 campaign.
Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) won his fifth straight start to finish the 1973 season with 20 victories.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia hoops captain in 1951-52) lost his MLB debut (against Cincinnati Reds in 1959).
Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) smacked two homers against the Washington Senators in a 1954 game.
San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) went 4-for-4 against the San Diego Padres in a 2005 contest.
Shoe Wars: NCAA Coaches Fond of Complete Control But Zero Accountability
Unless you are a mental midget fond of castrate-the-GOP professor and damage to White House caused by #SickWillie's cigar, this potentially could be the equivalent of a #TimeIsUp movement. March Madness morphed into September Sadness a couple of years ago amid a FBI sting with no end in sight regarding NCAA probes. If the feds genuinely know "the playbook" of an institutional crime family of coaches, it's doubtful there will be enough teams with winning records to stock an NCAA tourney field of 68. Let's be real! Coaches such as Kansas' defiant Bill Self know when prize prospects take a knee, dump or exam affecting eligibility. Nonetheless, there was an instantaneous and persistent Sgt. Schultz "I Know Nothing" routine among a colossal collection of contemptible characters as ugly as disrobed #HollyweirdHarveySwinestein and his legion of leftist enablers such as NBC failing to do the right thing. Self-righteous tarnished his credibility after lame explanation that troubled Lagerald Vick missed two games just before Christmas 2015 due to "illness." Please! Gradually becoming the personification of all that's wrong with college hoopdom, keep a barf bag nearby when his lips move or he soulful struts around in Adidas/rapper T-shirt before uncensored Snoop Dogg does likewise during raunchy "Late Night in the Phog" performance. Did KU mentor also previously orchestrate obfuscation when several of his shady standouts on the court exhibited rapper-like "Level 1" lack of Self-control off the court?
For what it's worth, Brian Bowen Jr. wasn't ranked among H.S. Top 10 players in any of the major recruiting polls in 2017. But testimony from his father indicated he received hefty offers for his son's services from sea to shining sea before crossing Pacific Ocean to play professionally in Australia. Are we supposed to believe Bowen Jr., who subsequently sued Adias, was only recruit susceptible to peculiar final-chapter shenanigans and Top 10 players didn't secure similar underhanded deals? Closing-time release took longer than 15 seconds, but the dominoes started falling sooner than originally expected. Embracing holier-than-thou Slick Rick's own words, "we got lucky on this one" when the Pompous Pilot finally received a swift kick in the ass of his Louisville white suit rather than another proverbial slap on the wrist. One-year interim Cardinals coach David Padgett seemed to be a pleasant enough person, but how perceptive can three-year teammate of thrown-under-the-bus former assistant Andre McGee possibly be not to discern what was going on in Get-Your-Fill-In-The-Ville's basketball brothel et al? If the NCAA wants to help the FBI break the code of silence, it should force Rick Pitino's son and the dozen or so other former assistants serving as current head coaches to take truth serum to tell what they really know (nine of them at former Final Four schools).
In aftermath of North Carolina State, Georgia Tech and Kansas investigations, keep heading South for the next sweaty segment spotlighting Shoe Wars and check suit label of Auburn's smug coach for his tailor. Bruce on the Loose's "Pearl of Wisdom" prior to becoming an ESPN "expert" featured a failure to recognize his own residence. Despite "Rifle" along his side, he likely won't admit even knowing the all-time leading scorer Person who chucked away his college coaching career via dumber-than-doorknob decisions. If not eventually rehired by ESPN akin to demented Keith Overbite despite dismal demonstration at first post-scandal press conference, Pearl's next gig could be as NCAA investigator or FBI mole since he has experience with surreptitious recording of a phone conversation with prize prospect. Pearl could also be BSPN's police reporter since such a high percentage of his players tortured the definition of textbook student-athlete by running afoul of the law.
If FBI doesn't switch gears because of bigger fish to fry or whale if include #Swinestein, it's just the tip of the iceberg as list of tainted schools increases weekly, if not daily. Where have the predictably pathetic press and toothless/clueless NCAA enforcement been for decades, anyway? With huge story staring them right in their beer goggles, inept national #MessMedia relied on cliches ("surprise commitment out of nowhere" and "late recruiting coup") when Brian Bowen Jr. affiliated late in the spring with Louisville before trial detailed how Pitino's hand-picked staff distributed under-the-table cash. The FBI sting gives predictably pathetic press pundits such as The Undefeated to go on another silly racial crusade. Black chief recruiters (including one with $600,000 salary) are the latest victims among the oppressed as they wander off plantations, warranting kneeling players or marches on major highways blocking traffic. Meanwhile, the politically-correct NCAA has been more concerned with devoting time and energy to switching Indian nicknames for schools and gender-neutral restrooms as contributor to shifting national motto from "Tear Down This Wall" to "Tear Down This Stall."
Michael Jordan, the pre-endorsement Airness, donned Converse All-Star sneakers with North Carolina in the 1982 NCAA Tournament title game while Georgetown wore Nike. When did these shoe shenanigans start? The sneaker-linked fraud and corruption caught fire in mid-1980s when Nike owned the 1985 Final Four with each entrant donning the Swoosh. By the end of the "Gotta-Be-the-Shoes (Bribe)" decade, Final Four coaches connected to Nike such as ebullient Dana Kirk (Memphis State) and Jim Valvano (North Carolina State) either were imprisoned or well on their way to receiving a pink slip. Nike comrade Jerry Tarkanian (UNLV) was on suspect "sneaker" heels of Kirk and Valvano. Elsewhere on the scandal front in the Wild West days when shoes started orchestrating everything, Lefty Driesell left Nike for Reebok, which agreed to terms with Len Bias shortly before the Maryland All-American's cocaine-induced death. And guess who switched probation-shackled Kentucky from Nike to Converse upon succeeding Eddie Sutton? Yes, Slick Rick!
It's noxious to informed observers when they hear an announcer profusely identify a school by a coach's name although one can't deny college basketball fosters larger-than-life coaches. The players come and go, but the personable coaches remain, and their names become synonymous with the universities. The coaches virtually have perpetual cult followings in their propitious kingdoms. In other words, an ultra-successful coach such as Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is the "pretty clean" King of Krzyzewskiville and isn't held accountable for multiple recruiting forays involving AAU player pimps, mediocre player with $100G in jewelry, Sullen-man Title IX incident and All-American already having abortion contract as NBA rookie. Moreover, one of his recent prize prospects helped get an ACC rival on NCAA probation by behaving boorishly attending a booby bar on recruiting visit to Atlanta. Do you wonder what sneakers this scholar donned for his entertainment excursion?
A potential conflict-of-interest exists, however, when high-profile coaches receive astonishing supplemental six-figure incomes to endorse certain brands of sneakers. No different than looters stealing from outlet store during hurricane or #ShoeLivesMatter riot, there is simply no business like sneaker business. As the endorsement paychecks increased despite all-school deals commencing in the late 1980s, the questions multiplied concerning the marriage between college athletics and shoe companies. Consider:
In the 1980s before contract numbers went crazy, where was a coach's allegiance at times after selling his "sole" and receiving more compensation from an outside interest at the time than he earned in base salary from his school?
Should a coach receive any remuneration at all, let alone a fat paycheck, for outfitting his players in apparel they would don anyway? Since a clear conscience makes the softest pillow, how much are the overpaid pariahs spending on medication these days to try to secure a decent night's sleep?
What about the majority of a roster or even just one player who prefers a brand other than the one with which the coach and school is affiliated? Don't the exploited players warrant a piece of the action inasmuch as they are the primary running, walking and jumping human billboards?
Where is the institutional control when coaches cut outrageous outside deals? Times really haven't changed from when coaches formed lines to sell their allotted Final Four tickets to brokers and took unreported-income bribes behind closed doors from promoters to participate in in-season tournaments.
Doesn't this involvement in a corporate battle where coaches earn significantly more than university presidents shove college athletics deeper into commercialization and further away from the spirit of competition as part of the textbook overall educational experience? Schools shifted comprehensive athletic department-wide arrangements with shoe manufacturers, but much of the largess is still funneled to the marquee coaches.
Where is media accountability? Shouldn't press pundits covering college games be held to a standard where the public knows how much they've received over the years from a sneaker company sponsoring the teams they're covering on any given day?
Converse, with its Chuck Taylors, was king of the shoe industry before Nike aggressively started signing prominent coaches to endorsement deals in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, other companies such as Reebok, Puma, Pony, L.A. Gear and Adidas entered the "shoe wars." When the can-you-top-this perks seemingly turned obscene, some of the companies chose to invest their promotional dollars elsewhere at the grassroots level (AAU). Although detractors suggest Odor-Eaters should be in vogue because the arrangement stinks when coaches, and not players, are paid by sneaker companies, the bidding war for celebrated coaches and their schools escalated in intensity more than ever after Under Armour arrived on the scene.
The grand payoff for shoe companies arrived each March when the NCAA playoffs provide untold millions of dollars in free advertising. While Nike appeared to be overdosing on signing as many coaches as possible on its advisory board, adidas was more selective for several years in the early 1990s and had just two coaches under contract - Bob Knight (Indiana) and protege Krzyzewski. It is difficult to dispute the argument that adidas, with five championship game appearances in seven years from 1986 through 1992, might have received the best return on its investment in that period. But that was before Nike, the Beaverton, Ore.-based conglomerate turned Tobacco Road into Nikeville prior to the start of the 1993-94 season by luring Krzyzewski away from adidas and North Carolina's Dean Smith away from Converse, ending a 22-year marriage. At the time, the 15-year contract cooked up with "Shoe-chefski" included a $1 million signing bonus, $375,000 annually plus stock options. Talk about "feet-first" coaches who want to "Be Like Mike!" although current Carolina coach Roy Williams claims Nike was a "no-show" and never helped the Tar Heels secure a recruit. Of course, Roy knows this "fact" but wasn't aware of type of classes his scholars took enabling him to "earn" academic progress contractual bonuses. Meanwhile, N.C. State's unwillingness to admit to the NCAA what transpired during recruitment of Dennis Smith Jr. is an affront to common sense and pre-school level of logic.
Bench bosses got down on their hands and knees and thanked the Lord (or Devil) for Sonny Vaccaro when he started the supply-and-demand shoe-endorsement scheme. Vaccaro concocted the idea of personal-services contracts for Nike and initiated signing coaches to multi-year promotional deals. Sonny left Nike and subsequently headed adidas' fortunes. This move triggered raising the stakes under George Raveling, Vaccaro's spread-the-wealth successor at Nike. Depending upon your level of cynicism, the cozy relationship paid two-way street dividends. No wonder Nike nabob Raveling got plenty of support from coaching community regarding HOF enshrinement despite "sugar daddy" registering grand total of two NCAA playoff victories and zero league titles in 22 seasons as power-conference mentor (including 12 second-division finishes). During March on Washington in August 1963, Raveling worked security and came to possess the hard copy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King's famed "I Have a Dream" speech. By offering inside info, perhaps Raveling can also secure originals of Hall of Shame documents from intelligence agencies' files including a secret FBI analysis portraying MLK in a harshly-negative light.
Who benefited the most from Raveling and Vaccaro individually and shoe companies in general? Based on Slick Rick's 98% confiscation of Louisville shoe deal, it's time for some enterprising reporters to cite cumulative bounty prominent coaches received from sneaker manufacturers over the years. If not, we'll continue to hear drivel from Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim such as the following: "I sure as hell would rather have them (FBI) looking into terrorism and not spending three years investigating AAU programs or shoe companies. It's the least of our concern."
Similarly, why else would Krzyzewski gaze down at "blip" from his ivory tower and proclaim: "Shoe companies have been great for our sport. Understand the total positive impact shoe companies have on our sport. It pays for a lot." Meanwhile, UNC's right-to-my-feelings Williams claims sneaker underworld is "foreign to me."
Countered AAU coach Myron Piggie, who wound up in prison: "Well, that's (expletive)," he told Yahoo Sports. "I mean, come on! You know Roy knew. He was in the mix. He knew what was going on. Roy's got amnesia." But Roy Boy does demonstrate dynamic dance delusions possibly triggering vertigo or causing heart problems comparable to Bernie "Doc Brown" Sanders when his college-running-into-the-ground spouse said she wanted to go "Back to the Future" on a second honeymoon to Russia.
Yes, coaching profiles for elite mentors such as Boeheim, John Calipari, Tom Izzo, Krzyzewski, Pitino, Self and Williams should include career sneaker-endorsement payouts alongside totals of victories, league titles and NCAA playoff appearances. Also, we should be aware of what percentage of their one- or two-year menacing mercenaries signed sponsorship deals with same sneaker company upon turning pro. For instance, what percentage of Kansas undergraduates this decade promptly and Self-lessly affiliated with Adidas? What choice did they have if Adidas bag man was indeed a client for same attorney as the Mafia hit man suspected of murdering former South Boston organized crime boss Whitey Bulger in a West Virginia federal prison? Former Big Ten Conference coaches John Beilein (ex-Michigan) and Tim Miles (ex-Nebraska) told cheating counterparts to "get the heck out of the game" while Calipari isn't certain corruption trials will faze cheaters. We do know, however, the new baseline one-year figure for premier prospects (G-League $125,000 remuneration) and Nebraska probably never will win an NCAA playoff game until there is a level playing field.
By any measure and in many sordid ways, gimme-gimme-gimme Shoe Wars remains in an out-of-control spiral, exhibiting me-myself-and-I attitude with little integrity and no moral compass. If ESPN belatedly informs the masses that Kevin Love (UCLA) was worth $250,000, what was value of Anthony Davis before guiding Kentucky to 2012 national title as a freshman despite school threatening to sue Chicago Sun-Times for implying a significantly lower fee(t)-for-services? In the meantime, if Pitino really does "love the players," he should have proclaimed he would donate any settlement from millions remaining on his salary, at least the sneaker proceeds since the Cards were Adidas' flagship school after UCLA departed for Under Armour, to try to help Louisville's arena (KFC Yum! Center) from defaulting on debt payments. Hall of Shamer Pitino and other feet-elite/father-figure coaches owe the sport that and so much more. Instead, they circled the wagons similar to hypocritical Dimorats such as creepy Clinton cronies Lisa Bloom, David Boies, Lanny Davis and Anita Dunn protecting denizen donor #HollyweirdHarveySwinestein as if movie mogul was #SickWillie clone. In the same way they subsequently abandoned a sinking ship like so many rats, there eventually will be similar self-preservation of about two dozen prominent programs maneuvering through the plea-bargain minefield as series of "sold-your-sole-and-soul" trials unfolded in the last year. Stonewalling remarks such as those by Arizona's Sean Miller and Self on media days of late can't possibly survive for long. We almost long for the simpler "good old days" at the turn of this century when Florida's Brent Wright sued Nike seeking damages after his Maxair shoe ripped open during a SEC contest. Wright claimed the defective sneaker caused permanent damage to his right foot, limiting his earning capacity as a professional player. In the big picture, Nike and its competitive counterparts have caused permanent damage to ethical standards in college sports by completely corrupting an unprincipled coaching community. College coaches bow before sneaker-company funding similar to quivering NBA mentors and "misinformed" social-justice warrior LeBron James kowtowing before "free-speech loving" China. If he wins an NBA crown, self-righteous King James appears far more interested in visiting Beijing for ceremony than the White House. Well, shoe salesman can take his talents there with holier-than-thou Charles "Round Mound of Expound" Barkley as they are poised to be "shut-the-hell-up" Communist ambassadors similar to intellectual heavyweight Dennis Rodman coziness with North Korea.