Military Salute: Veteran Hoops All-Americans Serving With Distinct Honor
College basketball aficionados occasionally cite achievements they think never will be duplicated. On Veterans Day weekend, they should be reminded about truly incredible comebacks likely never to be matched. In 1946-47, Andy Phillip (Illinois) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma) returned to first-team All-American status after missing three seasons while serving in the U.S. military during World War II. Charles Black (Kansas) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming) also returned to All-American acclaim after missing two seasons serving in similar capacities. Such significant sacrifice is an off-the-chart achievement worthy of praise in stark contrast to unpatriotic NFL players taking a National Anthem knee or sitting on their sorry butt such as league-leading TD catcher Mike Evans, NeverTrump crybaby protestors and the incoherent hunger striker/professional student at Missouri majoring in Extortion 101 two years ago despite enjoying the black privilege of one-percenter father/executive VP for Union Pacific Railroad earning nearly $8.4 million in compensation.
Amid veterans honor, the follow-the-pack press dwelled more on the cultural idiocy of boycott-threatening Mizzou football players and their "Black Mobs Matter" anarchy-supportive $4.1 million-a-year coach. But the diaper-donning dissidents and clueless cowering Democratic governor Jay Nixon flailing around again just like the Ferguson fiasco pale in comparison to the honor, dignity and courage exhibited by military veterans. Actually, many Mizzou football fans thought the sheep-like players' performance to date showed the "entitled" already had quit on the season before the witch hunters' hoop brethren also probably finish at the bottom of the SEC standings. What's next in "containing" this rank self-absorbed nonsense from amateur-hour "cry-bullies" annoyed how terrorism carnage in Paris diverted media attention? It's surprising the Tigers' social scholars in solidarity didn't boycott a game vs. BYU because the Cougars boast an honor code "discriminating" significantly more percentage-wise against African-Americans.
Infinitely more important, numerous truly honorable hoopers had their college playing careers interrupted by WWII; not sensitivity training. While much of the misguided media currently obsess with licking their wounds after the presidential campaign, even the toy department (sports) should be reminded about authentic American heroes and doing everything possible to implore bureaucrats to improve contemptible conditions at many Veterans hospitals. The press could focus on the following list of All-Americans - three each from Illinois, Kentucky and Notre Dame - who deserve to be honored, at least for a day amid the campus whining, after having their college careers interrupted in the mid-1940s while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces:
Air Force - Charles Black (Kansas) and Jack Parkinson (Kentucky).
Army - Don Barksdale (UCLA), Lew Beck (Oregon State), A.L. Bennett (Oklahoma A&M), Gale Bishop (Washington State), Vince Boryla (Notre Dame/Denver), Harry Boykoff (St. John's), Bob Brannum (Kentucky), Arnie Ferrin (Utah), Alex Groza (Kentucky), Ralph Hamilton (Indiana), Walt Kirk (Illinois), Allie Paine (Oklahoma), Don Rehfeldt (Wisconsin), Jack Smiley (Illinois), Odie Spears (Western Kentucky) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma).
Marine Corps - Aud Brindley (Dartmouth), John Hargis (Texas), Mickey Marty (Loras), Andy Phillip (Illinois), Gene Rock (southern California) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming).
Navy - Bobby Cook (Wisconsin), Howie Dallmar (Stanford/Penn), Dick Dickey (North Carolina State), Bob Faught (Notre Dame), Harold Gensichen (Western Michigan), Wyndol Gray (Bowling Green State), Hal Haskins (Hamline), Leo Klier (Notre Dame), Dick McGuire (St. John's) and John Oldham (Western Kentucky).
On This Date: November Calendar of Great Games in College Hoops History
Did You Know?: Rick Barnes (Texas), Gene Bartow (UAB), Bob McKillop (Davidson), Mike Montgomery (Stanford) and Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) incurred defeats in their debuts before eventually becoming the all-time winningest coaches for these schools. Check out the following November calendar for memorable games in NCAA major-college history:
NOVEMBER
9 - Brad Stevens made his Butler debut in 2007 with a 61-45 victory at Ball State before guiding the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament championship game in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011. . . . David Holston (43 points vs. St. Bonaventure at Austin, Tex., in 2006) set Chicago State's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Junior Hairston (21 rebounds vs. Loyola Maryland in 2007) set Towson's Division I single-game rebounding record.
13 - Rotnei Clarke (51 points vs. Alcorn State in 2009) set Arkansas' single-game scoring record before transferring to Butler. . . . Gregg Marshall made his Wichita State debut in 2007 with a 61-56 victory vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff before guiding the Shockers to the 2013 Final Four and becoming national COY in 2014. . . . Siena's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Vermont (80-76 in 2010). . . . Shaka Smart made his VCU coaching debut in 2009 with a 77-51 triumph vs. Bethune-Cookman before directing the Rams to the 2011 Final Four.
14 - Marcus Marshall (38 points vs. Eastern Illinois in 2014) set Missouri State's single-game scoring record as an NCAA Division I school. . . . Jamie Dixon made his Pittsburgh coaching debut in 2003 with a 71-62 triumph vs. Alabama in New York before becoming national COY in 2009. . . . Larry Eustachy made his Idaho debut in 1990 with an 88-54 victory vs. Simon Fraser before becoming national COY with Iowa State in 2000 and the first coach in NCAA history to compile at least 24 wins in a single season with five different DI schools. . . . Bill Guthridge made his North Carolina debut in 1997 with an 84-56 success vs. Middle Tennessee State en route to becoming the winningest first-year coach in NCAA history and national COY.
16 - Al Skinner made his Boston College debut in 1997 with an 87-54 victory vs. Central Connecticut State before going on to become the Eagles' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2001.
17 - Rick Barnes made his Texas debut in 1998 with a 71-69 reversal at Houston before going on to become the Longhorns' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bo Ryan made his Wisconsin debut in 2001 with a 74-69 defeat at UNLV before going on to become the Badgers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Florida's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Miami FL (69-67 in 2014).
18 - Mike Brey made his Notre Dame coaching debut in 2000 with a 104-58 rout of Sacred Heart before becoming national COY in 2011. . . . Jim Larranaga made his George Mason debut in 1997 with a 78-72 victory at Howard University before going on to become the Patriots' all-time winningest coach and guiding them to the 2006 Final Four.
19 - Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky (43 points vs. North Dakota in 2013/modern-era mark) set school modern-era single-game scoring record.
20 - Okechi Egbe (44 points vs. Bethel in 2000) set Tennessee-Martin's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Tom Izzo made his Michigan State debut in 1995 with a 69-66 triumph at Chaminade en route to becoming the Spartans' all-time winningest coach. . . . Chicago product Ben Wilson, entering his senior season generally regarded as the nation's premier prospect because of Magic Johnson-like skills, was shot within a block of high school campus and died the next day after bumping into two gang members in 1984 while walking down the street following lunch break.
21 - Nick Davis (23 rebounds vs. Jackson State in 1997) set Arkansas' single-game rebounding record. . . . Mark Few made his Gonzaga debut in 1999 with a 76-61 triumph at Montana en route to becoming the Zags' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bill Self made his Kansas coaching debut in 2003 with a 90-76 victory vs. Chattanooga before guiding the Jayhawks to 2008 NCAA championship. . . . Jay Wright made his Villanova coaching debut in 2001 with an 82-68 victory vs. Grambling State before becoming national COY in 2006 and guiding the Wildcats to the 2009 Final Four and 2016 NCAA title.
22 - Billy Donovan made his Florida debut in 1996 with an 80-63 triumph vs. UCF en route to becoming the Gators' all-time winningest coach. . . . Scott Drew made his Baylor debut in 2003 with a 72-59 success vs. Texas Southern en route to becoming the Bears' all-time winningest coach. . . . Western Carolina's Kevin Martin (46 points vs. Coastal Carolina in 2002) set school Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Bruce Weber made his Illinois coaching debut in 2003 with a 94-66 victory vs. Western Illinois before becoming national COY in 2005 when guiding the Illini to the NCAA Tournament championship game.
23 - Kevin Stallings made his Vanderbilt debut in 1999 with a 72-55 triumph over Belmont en route to becoming the Commodores' all-time winningest coach.
24 - Gene Bartow made his UAB debut in 1978 with a 64-55 defeat against Nebraska before becoming the Blazers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Steve Fisher made his San Diego State debut in 1999 with a 73-57 victory vs. UC Riverside en route to becoming the Aztecs' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2011. . . . Nolan Richardson made his Arkansas debut in 1985 with an 86-72 triumph over Southern Illinois en route to becoming the Razorbacks' all-time winningest coach and guiding them to 1994 NCAA championship.
25 - Kevin Franklin (48 points at Loyola Marymount in 1989) set Nevada's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Louisiana Tech's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Stephen F. Austin (67-58) in 1985. . . . Steve Alford made his Southwest Missouri State coaching debut in 1995 with an 83-71 win against Texas-Pan American en route to guiding four different DI schools to the NCAA playoffs. . . . Lute Olson made his Arizona debut in 1983 with a 72-65 triumph over Northern Arizona en route to becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob Huggins made his Cincinnati debut in 1989 with a 66-64 triumph over Minnesota en route to becoming the Bearcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Gale Catlett made his West Virginia debut in 1978 with an 86-66 triumph over Rider en route to becoming the Mountaineers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob McKillop made his Davidson debut in 1989 with an 84-65 setback at Wake Forest before becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach and earning national COY acclaim in 2008. . . . Roy Williams made his Kansas coaching debut in 1988 with a 94-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage before becoming national COY on four occasions. . . . Eventual national player of year Tim Duncan went scoreless in his Wake Forest debut, a 70-68 loss at NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage in 1993.
26 - Dana Altman made his Creighton debut in 1994 with a 68-61 win at Oral Roberts en route to becoming the Bluejays' all-time winningest coach. . . . Dave Bliss made his New Mexico debut in 1988 with a 96-71 success vs. Loyola (Md.) en route to becoming the Lobos' all-time winningest coach. . . . Jim Boeheim made his Syracuse debut in 1976 with a 75-48 triumph over Harvard en route to setting the NCAA career record for most victories by a coach at a single school. . . . Larry Brown made his Kansas coaching debut in 1983 with a 91-76 reversal at Houston before guiding the Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA title when he was named national COY. . . . John Calipari made his Massachusetts coaching debut in 1988 with an 84-61 success vs. Southern Connecticut before directing the Minutemen and two more schools to the Final Four. . . . In his freshman debut, Rudy Macklin (32 rebounds vs. Tulane in 1976) set Louisiana State's single-game rebounding record. By contrast, eventual national player of year David Robinson went scoreless with only one rebound for Navy in his first game against a DI opponent (Yale in 1983). . . . Kelvin Sampson made his Oklahoma coaching debut in 1994 with an 85-74 victory vs. Coppin State before becoming a two-time national COY with the Sooners. . . . . Bill Self made his ORU debut in 1993 with a 78-66 win vs. Sam Houston State before becoming the only coach in NCAA history to reach a Division I Tournament regional final in back-to-back years with different schools. . . . Tubby Smith made his Tulsa debut in 1991 with a 94-81 setback at TCU before becoming the only coach to take three consecutive teams seeded sixth or worse to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA playoffs and earn national COY acclaim with Kentucky in 2003.
27 - Brandon Wood (39 points at Georgia Southern in 2009) set Valparaiso's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . P.J. Carlesimo made his Seton Hall coaching debut in 1982 with an 87-63 victory vs. St. Anselm (N.H.) before directing the Pirates to an NCAA Tournament runner-up finish in 1989 when he was named national COY. . . . Lon Kruger made his Texas-Pan American debut in 1982 with a 66-58 setback vs. Louisiana Tech before becoming the first coach to direct three different schools to the Top 20 of a final wire-service poll. . . . John Thompson Jr. made his Georgetown debut in 1972 with a 61-60 triumph over St. Francis (Pa.) en route to a school-record 596 victories with the Hoyas. . . . Alvan Adams (28 vs. Indiana State in 1972) set Oklahoma's single-game rebounding record.
28 - Tom Davis made his Iowa debut in 1986 with a 91-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage en route to becoming the Hawkeyes' all-time winningest coach. . . . Lou Henson made his Illinois debut in 1975 with a 60-58 triumph at Nebraska en route to becoming the Illini's all-time winningest coach. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Army head coaching debut in 1975 with a 56-29 victory over Lehigh before becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history with Duke. . . . Mike Montgomery made his Stanford debut in 1986 with a 67-65 defeat against Georgia Tech at Richmond before becoming the Cardinal's all-time winningest coach.
29 - The three-point goal was an experimental rule in the Southern Conference in 1980 when Western Carolina's Ronnie Carr made the first three-pointer in history at Reid Gymnasium vs. Middle Tennessee State. . . . Craig Bradshaw (42 points at Ohio University in 2014) set Belmont's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Alan Williams (39 vs. South Dakota State in 2013) tied UC Santa Barbara's single-game scoring record. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Duke debut in 1980 with a 67-49 triumph over Stetson en route to becoming the Blue Devils' all-time winningest coach. . . . Jim Calhoun made his Connecticut debut in 1986 with a 58-54 triumph over Massachusetts en route to becoming the Huskies' all-time winningest coach and capturing three NCAA Tournament titles. . . . Cliff Ellis made his South Alabama debut with an 82-68 defeat vs. Centenary before becoming the only coach in the 20th Century to hold three school single-season records with at least 25 victories at the same time. . . . Billy Tubbs made his Lamar head coaching debut in 1976 with an 80-73 triumph over Houston Baptist en route to more than 600 victories with three schools. . . . Gene Keady made his Purdue debut in 1980 with a 72-59 triumph over Colorado State en route to becoming the Boilermakers' all-time winningest coach.
30 - Dartmouth set an NCAA single-game record by having nine different players contribute at least one three-point basket vs. Boston College in 1993. . . . John Chaney made his Temple debut in 1982 with a 68-67 triumph at George Washington en route to becoming the Owls' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bobby Cremins made his Georgia Tech debut in 1981 with an 82-66 triumph against Presbyterian (S.C.) en route to becoming the Yellow Jackets' all-time winningest coach.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready For Some November Football
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 shatterproof achievement - three 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 November football at the professional level:
NOVEMBER
1: 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 five touchdowns - one for 70 yards - in a 38-31 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1959. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught five passes for 151 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown, from Ron Jaworski in a 17-14 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1981. . . . 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) scored two third-quarter touchdowns - one rushing/one receiving - in a 26-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1959. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) completed 23-of-38 passes for 435 yards - including six touchdowns - in a 49-39 win against the Denver Broncos in 1964. . . . Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in a 35-0 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1970. . . . New York Giants QB Arnie Galiffa (Army's third-leading scorer as junior and second-leading scorer as senior with more than 9 ppg each year) threw his only NFL touchdown pass - a decisive 75-yarder to Kyle Rote in a 23-20 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1953. . . . Rookie TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer was hoop letterman for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) scored the first two touchdowns in New York Giants' NFL history in a 19-0 win against the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1925. . . . 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 eight passes in a 24-16 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2009. . . . 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 of a league-high 3,045 yards in a 34-17 setback against the New York Giants in 1964. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Chuck Kassel (Illinois letterman in 1925 and 1926) opened the game's scoring with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1929. . . . New York Giants rookie FB Tuffy Leemans (three-year letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) threw a touchdown pass in his third consecutive contest in 1936. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 17-of-23 passes - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 40-17 win against the New York Giants in 2009. . . . 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 13 yards for a touchdown in a 34-21 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2009. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-17 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1970. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 48 yards for a touchdown in a 30-25 win against the New York Jets in 2009. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had four pass receptions for 129 yards in a 17-17 tie against the Oakland Raiders in 1970. . . . New York Giants B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech letterman in 1926) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in a 14-0 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1931.
2: Washington Redskins DL Victor Carroll (three-year letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in a 23-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1941. . . . New York Giants DB Scott Eaton (three-year Oregon State letterman averaged 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg) returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown in a 23-20 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969. . . . 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 28-7 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1947. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw four touchdown passes in a 34-31 setback against the New York Jets in 1969. Six years later, Griese threw three TD passes in a 46-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 1975. . . . Rookie E Dick Humbert (three-year starter captained Richmond team as senior when averaging 7.4 ppg) accounted for the Philadelphia Eagles' only scoring with a 26-yard touchdown catch in a 15-6 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941. . . . 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 323 yards and threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 17-14 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2003. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 374 yards and six touchdowns in a 51-42 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1969. . . . 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 four sacks in a 33-24 win against the New York Giants in 1987. . . . 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 43-23 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars WR Matt Jones (started two of his 11 Arkansas games in 2001-02 when averaging 4.2 ppg and 2.3 rpg and 10 of 17 in 2003-04 when averaging 5 ppg and 4.5 rpg) had at least seven pass receptions for the third consecutive contest in 2008. . . . 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 two first-half touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Chicago Bears in 1969. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) passed for 345 yards and six touchdowns in a 51-42 win against the St.Louis Cardinals in 1969. Six years later with the Washington Redskins, Kilmer threw three TD passes in a 30-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1975. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 349 yards - inclulding two second-quarter touchdowns - in a 26-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2008. Five years earlier, McNabb passed for 312 yards in a 23-16 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2003. . . . 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) had seven pass receptions for 113 yards - including two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jim Kelly - in a 34-28 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986. . . . Los Angeles Rams DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt letterman in 1947) returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown in a 42-20 win against the Dallas Texans in 1952. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1961-62) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-24 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1975. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Bob Titchenal (San Jose State letterman in 1939) caught a 54-yard touchdown pass from Frankie Albert in a 27-14 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1946. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech letterman in 1926) supplied the Staten Island Stapletons' lone score with a 63-yard touchdown pass in a 9-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1930.
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 three touchdown passes for the third time in a four-game span in 1974. . . . Philadelphia Eagles LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had an interception in a 49-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2013. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers E Wayland Becker (Marquette letterman in mid-1930s) opened the game's scoring with a first-quarter touchdown reception in a 13-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . 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 223 yards on 28 carries in a 23-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1963. . . . New York Giants E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 26-14 win against the Chicago Bears in 1929. . . . 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 nine passes for 116 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 26-20 setback against the New York Jets in 2013. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-28 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1968. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers E Bud Hubbard (San Jose State hoops letterman in 1934) caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) for decisive score in a 13-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . 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 313 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-24 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2002. . . . 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 two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1968. . . . Rookie E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) scored the Philadelphia Eagles' touchdown with a 55-yard pass reception in a 7-6 win against the Boston Redskins in 1935. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) rushed for a touchdown in his fourth consecutive contest in 2002. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) opened the game's scoring by intercepting a Joe Namath pass and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown in a 27-22 win against the New York Jets in 1974. . . . A 41-yard touchdown catch by 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) in the fourth quarter gave the San Francisco 49ers a 35-31 win against the Detroit Lions in 1957. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 12 pass receptions for 191 yards in a 23-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2002. . . . A 43-yard field goal by Mac Percival (three-year letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) in the fourth quarter boosted the Chicago Bears to a 13-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1968. . . . 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) had a career-high seven pass receptions in a 23-15 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions - returning one of them 36 yards for a touchdown - in a 25-21 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1968. . . . Boston Redskins rookie B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) opened the game's scoring with a 57-yard rushing touchdown in a 7-6 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935. . . . Chicago Bears DE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) opened the game's scoring by returning a fumble recovery 30 yards for a touchdown in a 10-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1946. . . . 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% from floor for Clark Atlanta GA) had a career-high five pass receptions in a 33-27 setback against the New York Giants in 1974. . . . 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 52 yards for a touchdown in a 31-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie 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 267 yards (53.4 average) - including an NFL-high 84-yarder - in a 17-3 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1968.
4: HB Bob Davis (Kentucky letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with a six-yard pass in a 10-9 setback 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 10 passes in a 33-22 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2007. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL letterman in 1951) had two first-half touchdown receptions in a 35-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1956. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 365 yards in a 31-28 setback against the New York Giants in 1962. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 24-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 21-13 win against the Detroit Lions in 2001. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens had 10 pass receptions for 174 yards in a 38-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1961-62) completed 14-of-18 passes - including three touchdowns - in a 38-10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals 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 kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in a 37-31 win against the New York Yanks in 1951. . . . A 47-yard pass reception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter by HB Doak Walker (SMU letterman as freshman in 1945-46) was the difference for the Detroit Lions in a 24-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Sid Watson (averaged 4.1 ppg as Northeastern freshman in 1951-52) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 17-14 setback against the New York Giants in 1956. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw three touchdown passes in a 45-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1945.
5: Oakland Raiders 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 second-half touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 49-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2000. . . . New York Giants E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught two first-half touchdown passes (30 and 50 yards) in a 45-6 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1929. . . . Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a 17-yard interception return in a 24-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2006. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2006. Six years earlier, Gonzalez caught nine passes in a 49-31 reversal against the Oakland Raiders in his fourth consecutive contest with at least 100 receiving yards in 2000. . . . 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 35-17 win against the New York Jets in 1972. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) rushed for two 15-yard fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 35-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1950 after Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) rushed for two first-half TDs. . . . Baltimore Colts rookie DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt letterman in 1947) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a 41-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Andre Rison (backup guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 49-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2000. . . . Detroit Lions HB Kent "Rip" Ryan (two-time All-Rocky Mountain first-team choice for Utah State averaged 8.1 ppg in league play in 1933-34, 9.9 ppg in 1934-35, 9.3 ppg in 1935-36 and 7.6 ppg in 1936-37) scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter with a six-yard pass reception in an 18-14 win against the New York Giants in 1939. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor letterman in 1956) had three touchdown receptions in a 53-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961. . . . 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 31-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 1967. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown in a 31-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 2006. . . . Detroit Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU letterman as freshman in 1945-46) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 24-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1955. . . . In 1972, New Orleans Saints WR Creston Whitaker (North Texas State guard led MVC in field-goal shooting as junior in 1968-69 when averaging 20 ppg and 6 rpg) notched his lone NFL pass reception (five-yard catch against Minnesota Vikings).
6: Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) rushed for two touchdowns (9 and 20 yards) in a 19-6 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 28-7 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1977. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught eight passes for 161 yards in a 45-28 setback against the Dallas Texans in 1960. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught seven passes for 97 yards in a 24-14 win against the New England Patriots 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 eight passes for 132 yards in a 31-26 win against the New York Jets in 2005. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 38-24 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1960. . . . 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 seven passes for 141 yards - including three touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 34-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2011. . . . Minnesota Vikings 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 27-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 2005. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Chuck Kassel (Illinois letterman in 1925 and 1926) opened the game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown catch from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 16-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1929. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Cliff Lewis (Duke letterman in 1945) threw a career-long 55-yard touchdown pass in a 35-2 win against the Chicago Hornets in 1949. . . . Chicago Cardinals B Ike Mahoney (Creighton hooper in early 1920s) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in a 33-7 setback against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1926. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Kay McFarland (three-year letterman for Colorado State was honorable mention UPI All-Skyline Conference selection in 1961) had a career-high four pass receptions for 89 yards in a 21-13 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) passed for 304 yards in a 17-10 setback against the Washington Redskins in 2005. . . . 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 three sacks in a 34-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2005. . . . Cleveland Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1955. . . . 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 45-25 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . 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 67 yards for a touchdown in a 31-24 setback against the New York Bulldogs in 1949. . . . Cincinnati Bengals DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) opened the Cincinnati Bengals' scoring by securing a safety in a 20-17 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1994.
7: Chicago Bears HB J.R. Boone (hoop teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 21-6 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 second-half touchdown passes in a 62-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 1954. Browns QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) had three touchdowns - two rushing/one receiving - in a 38-34 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 362 yards (including three TDs to Pete Retzlaff). . . . Green Bay Packers LB Fred Carr (played for defending NCAA champion Texas Western in 1967 playoffs) returned an interception 10 yards for a touchdown in a 32-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1976. . . . Detroit Lions rookie 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 touchdown passes in a 56-20 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught three touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 24-21 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1976. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught three touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 43-17 win against the New Orleans Saints 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 nine passes for 123 yards in a 34-31 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. . . . 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) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Russell Wilson in a 31-25 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2016. . . . New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoop letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass and rushed for an 80-yard TD in a 20-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1926. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes from Norm Van Brocklin in a 42-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . 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) had 10 pass receptions in a 13-10 win against the New England Patriots in 1993. . . . Cleveland Browns DE Mack Mitchell (varsity hooper for Houston in 1971-72) opened the game's scoring by registering a safety in a 21-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1976. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier letterman in 1943) rushed for two of his AAFC-high 10 touchdowns - one of them for 68 yards - in a 26-21 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns rookie HB Ara Parseghian (Miami of Ohio hooper in 1946-47 and 1947-48) rushed for a 15-yard touchdown in a 28-7 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown in a 26-21 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47.2 yards on five punts in a 23-7 win against the New York Giants in 1965.
8: 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 28-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1942. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a 24-9 win against the Houston Oilers in 1970. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 52-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes - including one for 54 yards - in a 24-21 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - one in each quarter - in a 42-7 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1964. . . . Oakland Raiders 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 six passes for 105 yards in a 13-10 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. . . . New York Yankees rookie E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught three touchdown passes in a 26-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 1927. . . . Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) caught nine passes in a 31-24 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1998. . . . San Diego Chargers rookie 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 from Philip Rivers - including the game winner with 18 seconds remaining - in a 21-20 win against the New York Giants in 2009. . . . Minnesota Vikings 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 316 yards in a 31-24 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1998. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-30 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . Phoenix Cardinals 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 two second-half touchdowns in a 20-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1992. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in a 14-6 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1931. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes in a 25-23 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1998. Twelve years later with the Cincinnati Bengals, Owens caught two TD passes from Carson Palmer en route to 10 receptions for 141 yards in a 27-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010. . . . Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught two touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2004. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Tom Flores in a 22-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963. . . . Providence Steam Roller E Al Rose (Texas letterman from 1928 through 1930) scored the game's lone touchdown with a 35-yard pass reception in a 7-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . New York Giants LB Tom Scott (hoop letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) had an interception in his second straight game in 1964. . . . 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 24-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1970. . . . Miami Dolphins QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-17 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1970. . . . HB Ed Sutton (seven hoop games for North Carolina as sophomore in 1954-55) threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Joe Walton in the fourth quarter to help propel the Washington Redskins to a 27-24 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1959.
9: QB Matt Blundin (Virginia starter most of sophomore season in 1988-89 when averaging 6 ppg and 5.8 rpg while shooting 55.9% from floor) had his lone pass with the Detroit Lions intercepted by the Washington Redskins in 1997. . . . B Junior Boyd (Westminster MO four-sport letterman including hoops) caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) for the Chicago Cardinals' lone score in a 13-7 setback against the New York Giants 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 three touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 34-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1980. . . . New York Giants T Victor Carroll (three-year letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) caught an 18-yard touchdown pass in a 41-24 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys DE Shante Carver (Arizona State hooper in 1992-93) had two sacks in a 24-6 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 1997. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes - including two touchdowns - in a 20-19 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2008. . . . 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 - including two second-half touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 27-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2014. . . . 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 13-12 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. . . . Philadelphia Eagles E Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1952. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-13 win against the Houston Texans in 2008. . . . 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 fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2003. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) rushed for a 25-yard touchdown in a 7-7 tie against the Philadelphia Eagles 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 first-half touchdown passes in a 51-3 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1969. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Frank Manumaleuga (San Jose State hooper in 1978-79) returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 31-30 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1980. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) caught a touchdown pass from Phil Simms in a 38-35 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1980. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 36-31 setback against the New York Giants in 2008. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier letterman in 1943) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 25-0 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947. . . . 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 three sacks and seven tackles in a 17-6 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2008. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions in a 41-3 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1992. . . . In the midst of three consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Minnesota Vikings rookie TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) had a 58-yard TD reception in a 34-0 win against the Detroit Lions in 1980. . . . Los Angeles Rams WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had two first-half touchdown receptions (64 and 72 yards) in a 56-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. . . . 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 third-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 41-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2014. . . . New York Giants LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two interceptions in a 38-35 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1980.
10: Philadelphia Eagles LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had 3 1/2 sacks and six tackles in a 45-21 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2014. . . . 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 27-20 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1974. . . . 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 - including the decisive score in the fourth quarter - in a 21-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 21-0 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1974. . . . 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 24-20 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-16 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. . . . New York Jets TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 31-27 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1963. . . . RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) opened the Baltimore Colts' scoring by returning a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown in a 27-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1968. . . . New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) caught two touchdown passes in a 45-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1946. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) opened the game's scoring by returning a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown in a 21-14 win against the New England Patriots in 1974. . . . Washington Redskins rookie E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin letterman in early 1960s) averaged 48.8 yards on four punts in a 24-20 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963.
11: Detroit Wolverines E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) completed the game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown reception in a 19-19 tie against the New York Giants in 1928. . . . Houston Texans LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had six tackles in a 13-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 2012. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had an 84-yard touchdown reception from Bob Waterfield in a 20-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1945. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes - including 74 yards for his first NFL score - in a 27-24 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2001. . . . HB Bob Davis (Kentucky letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with an eight-yard pass in a 34-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1945. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including a 75-yarder to Abner Haynes - in a 52-31 win against the New York Titans in 1962. . . . Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 11 passes - including two touchdowns - in a 31-27 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2012. 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 seven passes for 146 yards (including two second-quarter TDs from Drew Brees). . . . 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 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) in a 10-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1934. . . . New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoop letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) opened the game's scoring by returning a punt 70 yards for a touchdown in a 19-19 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1928. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 38-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1956. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted 10 times for 456 yards (45.6 average) in a 49-0 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1962. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-half touchdown passes (53 and 54 yards) in a 45-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five games for Florida in 1989-90) had 11 pass receptions for 167 yards in a 28-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 2001. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 30-19 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973. . . . 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 105 yards for a touchdown in a 55-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2012. . . . Baltimore Colts CB Rex Kern (averaged 8.4 ppg for Ohio State's freshman squad in 1968-69) returned an interception 22 yards in a 44-0 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1973. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 33-9 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1973. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in a 34-27 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2001. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 41-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1951. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1985. . . . 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 41-28 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1951. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 48-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2001. Six years later, McNabb completed 20-of-28 passes - including four TDs - in a 33-25 win against the Washington Redskins in 2007. . . . Duluth Eskimos rookie FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 14-13 setback against the New York Giants in 1926. . . . 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 in a 28-27 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2001. Six years later with the Dallas Cowboys, Owens caught two second-half TD passes from Tony Romo in a 31-20 win against the New York Giants in 2007. . . . New York Giants DB Otto Schnellbacher (averaged 11 ppg in four-year Kansas career, earning All-Big Six/Seven Conference honors each season) returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in a 28-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1951. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had six pass receptions for 158 yards - including three touchdowns - in a 41-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. . . . E Hub Ulrich (Kansas hoops letterman in 1942) accounted for the Miami Seahawks' lone score with a 28-yard touchdown reception in a 20-7 setback against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Buist Warren (Tennessee hoops letterman in 1938 and 1940) had a 75-yard rushing touchdown in a 23-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1945. . . . New England Patriots TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett in a 33-13 setback against the New York Jets in 1973. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Roy Zimmerman (San Jose State letterman as center in 1938 and 1939) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 38-17 win against the New York Giants in 1945.
12: New York Giants B Erich Barnes (played briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) caught a 62-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in a 38-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. . . . Miami Dolphins 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 52-0 rout of the New England Patriots in 1972. Briscoe finished the game with four catches for 128 yards. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 17-9 win against the New York Jets in 1978. The next year, Carmichael caught two TD passes from Jaworski in a 31-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1979. . . . San Francisco 49ers safety Chuck Crist (averaged more than 10 ppg last two seasons under Penn State coach John Bach, leading team in FG% as junior and FT% as senior) had two interceptions in a 16-10 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. . . . QB Bob Davis (Kentucky letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Boston Yanks' lone touchdown with a 14-yard pass in a 21-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1944. . . . Chicago Bears rookie TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught nine passes for 190 yards - including three for touchdowns - in a 31-28 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1961. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes in a 45-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two second-quarter touchdowns in a 31-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1961. . . . Green Bay Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Bart Starr - one for 53 yards - in a 31-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1961. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) recovered a fumble and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown in a 10-10 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1967. . . . 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 27-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 2006. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-20 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1950. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown in a 20-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1967. . . . New York Giants LB Tom Scott (hoop letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown in a 38-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had eight pass receptions for 137 yards in a 38-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1961-62) passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1979. . . . 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 100 pass receptions in a 19-16 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1961. . . . 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 five times for 241 yards (48.2 average) in a 23-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1972.
13: Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught two 35-yard touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka in a 27-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1949. . . . 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 173 yards in a 28-27 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1960. . . . New York Giants B Chris Cagle (four-year letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) scored two touchdowns (pass reception and 70-yard punt return) in a 27-7 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1932. . . . 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 first-half touchdowns in a 24-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1960. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes in a 23-16 setback against the New England Patriots in 2005. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including an 89-yarder to Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) - in a 34-16 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1966. It was Taylor's third TD catch of at least 74 yards in a four-game span. . . . Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg in leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) had career highs of six pass receptions and 93 receiving yards in a 31-30 win against the Washington Redskins in 1966. . . . Green Bay Packers B Roger Grove (forward led Michigan State in scoring in 1929-30 and 1930-31) opened the game's scoring with a 10-yard touchdown pass reception in a 21-0 win against the Boston Braves in 1932. . . . Minnesota Vikings DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown in a 32-31 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1966. . . . 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) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub in a 37-9 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2011. . . . A 37-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter by TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) gave the Chicago Bears a 28-27 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a fumble recovery 66 yards for a touchdown in a 34-29 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1977. . . . 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 three sacks in a 24-10 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tom Flores in a 41-19 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1966. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) averaged 47 yards on seven punts in a 31-30 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1966. . . . Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in a 19-7 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1966. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Tom Rychlec (collected four points and six rebounds in one hoops game for American International MA in 1954-55) had a career-high 10 pass receptions in a 20-7 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. . . . Baltimore Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1960. . . . Staten Island Stapletons B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech letterman in 1926) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in a 27-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1932.
14: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw four touchdown passes in a 42-20 win against the Detroit Lions in 1943. Five years later, Baugh threw four TD passes in a 46-21 win against the Lions in 1948. . . . Chicago Bears E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught two touchdown passes from Sid Luckman in a 56-7 win against the New York Giants in 1943. . . . Detroit Lions rookie FB Bill Bowman (fouled out with four points in only basketball game with William & Mary in 1953-54) scored two touchdowns (66-yard pass reception and 43-yard rush) in a 48-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1954. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half TD passes. . . . 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 156 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-21 win against the New York Giants in 1965. . . . Oakland Raiders 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 Rich Gannon in a 28-9 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1999. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Vern Huffman (All-American was All-Big Ten Conference selection for Indiana in 1935-36 and 1936-37) threw a 28-yard touchdown pass in a 17-0 win against the New York Giants in 1937. . . . 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) passed for 313 yards in a 35-28 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. . . . 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 141 yards - including a 57-yard touchdown - in a 31-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1993. . . . B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) accounted for the Brooklyn Dodgers' lone touchdown with a 54-yard pass to Jeff Barrett in a 29-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1937. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Johnny Lattner (Notre Dame forward in 1951-52) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1954. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in a 19-17 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2004. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked three field goals in a 16-15 win against the Washington Redskins in 1971. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Dave Smith (averaged 15.6 ppg and 11.6 rpg while shooting 51.1% from floor for Indiana PA in 1968-69 and 1969-70) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Terry Bradshaw in a 24-21 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1971. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 311 yards in a 21-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1965. . . . 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 six times for 275 yards (45.8 average) in a 20-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1971. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught nine passes in a 30-27 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2013.
15: Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns in a 38-0 win against the New York Giants in 1936. . . . Rookie E Milan Creighton (All-SWC second-team guard for Arkansas in 1929-30) opened the scoring for the Chicago Cardinals with a 27-yard touchdown reception from Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) in a 21-13 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1931. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes - including a go-ahead 38-yarder to Pete Retzlaff - in a 17-14 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1964. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 345 yards and four touchdowns - three to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 49-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. Five years later, McNabb passed for 450 yards - including two fourth-quarter TDs - in a 31-23 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2009. The next year with the Washington Redskins, McNabb threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 59-28 setback against the Eagles in 2010. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked four field goals in a 20-19 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1970. It was Percival's third consecutive contest with at least three FGs. . . . TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Indianapolis Colts a 24-23 win against the New York Jets in 1998. . . . 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 two touchdown passes from Roman Gabriel in a 34-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1964. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Cotton Davidson in a 20-10 win against the Houston Oilers in 1964. . . . Chicago Cardinals B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown in a 24-24 tie against the Los Angeles Rams in 1953. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Phoenix Cardinals in 1992. . . . Washington Redskins DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions - returning one of them 15 yards for a touchdown - in a 30-0 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964.
16: In 1947, Baltimore Colts rookie E Hub Bechtol (Texas Tech hoops letterman in 1944 before transferring to Texas and concentrating on football) had his lone NFL touchdown reception (against Brooklyn Dodgers). . . . Los Angeles Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 41-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1947. . . . Only NFL reception for E Maurice Britt (Arkansas hoops letterman in 1939) was a 45-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Detroit Lions a 21-17 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie E Bob Carey (forward-center averaged 8.8 ppg in three-year Michigan State career in early 1950s) caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Norm Van Brocklin in a 40-24 win against the Chicago Bears in 1952. . . . New Orleans Saints DB Chuck Crist (averaged more than 10 ppg last two seasons under Penn State coach John Bach, leading team in FG% as junior and FT% as senior) returned an interception 42 yards in a 20-7 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1975. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 49-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1941. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes to Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M in a 34-16 win against the New York Jets in 1969. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw four second-half touchdown passes in a 29-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1952. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Justin Gage (averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Missouri from 1999-00 through 2001-02) caught four passes for 147 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Kerry Collins - in a 24-14 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008. . . . 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 37-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes - one of them for 84 yards - from Norm Van Brocklin in a 40-24 win against the Chicago Bears in 1952. . . . Chicago Bears rookie E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern letterman in 1927 and 1928) had two touchdown pass receptions in a 20-14 setback against the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1929. . . . A 25-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter by rookie B Art Jones (averaged 4.9 ppg as starting center for Richmond in 1940-41) propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 14-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941. . . . 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 three sacks in a 24-21 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1986. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown in a 27-19 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1997. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas letterman in early 1940s) caught two touchdown passes from Paul Christman in a 21-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1947. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) logged two goal-line plunges for touchdowns in a 31-10 win against the New York Giants in 1958. . . . New York Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) logged a rushing touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1941. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 24-of-30 passes for 314 yards in a 28-10 win against the New York Giants in 2003. Five years later, McNabb passed for 339 yards in a 13-13 tie against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown in a 23-21 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2003. . . . 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 52 yards for a touchdown in a 53-20 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1961-62) completed 10-of-14 passes - including three touchdowns - in a 34-31 win against the New England Patriots in 1975. . . . Detroit Lions B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had a 71-yard pass reception for a touchdown in a 21-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941.
17: Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-30 tie against the Washington Redskins in 1957. . . . 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 154 yards on 22 carries in a 20-14 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1963. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes (90, 77 and 43 yards) in a 31-17 win against the Boston Patriots in 1968. . . . Green Bay Packers E Lavvie Dilweg (Marquette hoops letterman in 1926) scored all of the game's points with two touchdown receptions in a 12-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1929. . . . 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 51-14 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-21 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Charlie Hardy (played in nine hoops games for San Jose State in 1954-55) had a career-high six pass receptions in a 20-17 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1961. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys 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 10 passes for 165 yards in a 41-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2013. . . . Los Angeles Rams rookie E Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) scored the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 34-yard pass reception from Norm Van Brocklin in a 31-27 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1957. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 20-of-25 passes - including four touchdowns - in a 38-14 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2002. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had seven pass receptions for 171 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff Garcia (32 and 76 yards) - in a 20-17 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2002. The next year, Owens had eight catches for 155 yards in a 30-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2003. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes after returning an interception 68 yards for a TD in the second period in a 29-14 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940. . . . Chicago Bears 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 eight tackles in a 23-20 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 43-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990. . . . Detroit Lions rookie B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 20-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1935. . . . Catching a touchdown pass in his fifth consecutive contest, New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had seven pass receptions for 159 yards in a 48-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1963. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 424 yards in a 34-28 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1961-62) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-21 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1974. . . . B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had two third-quarter rushing touchdowns for the Detroit Lions' first two scores in a 21-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1940.
18: Washington Redskins B Steve Bagarus (Notre Dame hooper in early 1940s) tied the score twice - 7-7 with an 18-yard rushing touchdown and 14-14 with a 70-yard TD reception from Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) en route to a 28-21 win against the Chicago Bears in 1945. . . . RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) scored both of the Boston Braves' touchdowns (via runs from scrimmage) in a 14-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1934. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught two touchdown passes from Bob Waterfield in a 35-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1945. . . . 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 second-half touchdowns in a 38-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962. . . . 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 30-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1956. . . . 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 four passes for 120 yards in a 29-22 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes - including a 92-yarder to Tommy Brooker - in a 24-3 win against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught seven passes for 133 yards in a 34-33 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. . . . 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 399 yards in a 27-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2001. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 445 yards in a 42-34 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974. . . . 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 punt 63 yards for a touchdown in a 13-10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the game's scoring with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Chris Cagle (four-year letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) in a 10-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934. . . . FB George Kiick (captain of Bucknell hoops team as senior in 1939-40) supplied the Pittsburgh Steelers' only points with a rushing touchdown in a 30-6 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1945. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had eight pass receptions for 173 yards - including four touchdowns from Tony Romo (three of them more than 30 yards) in a 28-23 win against the Washington Redskins in 2007. . . . Chicago Bears 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 in a 16-0 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2010. . . . Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught an 86-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning in a 34-20 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2001. . . . New England Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught three first-half touchdown passes from Tony Eason in a 50-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1984. . . . Rookie TB Manny Rapp (SLU hoop letterman in 1932) threw a 56-yard touchdown pass for the St. Louis Gunners' lone score in a 40-7 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1934. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) had nine pass receptions for 177 yards in a 30-24 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1979. . . . Indianapolis Colts QB Art Schlichter (scored 18 points in 11 hoop games for Ohio State in 1978-79 and 1980-81) passed for one touchdown and rushed for another in a 50-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 1984.
19: Chicago Bears E Connie Mack Berry (All-Southern Conference second-team selection as North Carolina State center in 1937 and 1938) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Sid Luckman in a 41-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1944. . . . 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 237 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961. . . . Boston Yanks QB Bob Davis (Kentucky letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the game's scoring with a four-yard touchdown run in a 13-6 win against the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944. . . . Cleveland Browns FS Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in a 24-10 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2000. . . . Chicago Bears WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught an 85-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Douglass in a 34-21 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1972. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-17 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2000. . . . Washington Redskins DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in a 28-28 tie against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five games for Florida in 1989-90) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-22 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2000. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 48-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1967. . . . A 25-yard pass reception by Boston Yanks E Keith Ranspot (SMU hoops letterman in 1936 and 1937) in the fourth quarter accounted for the decisive touchdown in a 13-6 win against the Brooklyn Tigers in 1944. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 43-35 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin letterman in early 1960s) averaged 45 yards on eight punts in a 27-20 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1967. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 309 yards - including four touchdowns - in a 48-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1967. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown in a 24-20 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. . . . Detroit Lions rookie HB Doak Walker (SMU letterman as freshman in 1945-46) caught three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1950. . . . 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) threw a 68-yard touchdown pass in a 23-10 win against the Houston Oilers in 1972.
20: Minnesota Vikings LB Matt Blair (played in 1970 NJCAA Tournament for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M hoops team finishing in seventh place) scored a touchdown off a blocked punt in a 10-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1977. . . . Philadelphia Eagles CB Jimmy Carr (three-year hoops letterman for Morris Harvey WV appeared in NAIA Tournament in 1953 and 1954) supplied the decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter with a 38-yard fumble recovery return in a 17-10 win against the New York Giants in 1960. . . . 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-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955. Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoops letter in 1947) had two first-half TD catches. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) passed for 349 yards in a 35-30 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1978. . . . New York Giants LB Mel Hein (Washington State hoops letterman in 1930) returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown in a 15-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1938. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two touchdown receptions in a 24-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 1955. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half TD passes. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-34 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1966. . . . 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 and threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass in a 33-31 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1960. . . . 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 seven passes for 165 yards in a 31-20 setback against the Chicago Bears in 2011. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-13 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1972. . . . Miami Dolphins RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had eight pass receptions for the second straight game in 1995. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw three first-half touchdown passes - including one for 81 yards to Ken Kavanaugh - in a 31-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1949. . . . 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 20-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) had nine pass receptions - including two third-quarter touchdowns from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) - in a 27-27 tie against the Boston Patriots in 1966. . . . 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 55 yards for a touchdown in a 45-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1949. Six years later, Tunnell returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown in a 31-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1955. . . . Rookie B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had a 79-yard touchdown run for the Pittsburgh Pirates' lone score in a 14-7 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1938.
21: Todd Bouman (South Dakota State transfer averaged 7.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg for St. Cloud State MN from 1993-94 through 1995-96) signed as free agent by the Green Bay Packers to replace injured Aaron Rodgers as their second-string QB. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught nine passes in a 24-17 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2004. . . . New York Giants rookie WR Bruce Gehrke (four-year Columbia hoops letterman averaged 9.5 ppg as senior) caught a touchdown pass from Charlie Conerly in a 49-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1948. . . . New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) rushed for two touchdowns in a 21-0 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1926. . . . Cleveland Browns 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 31-17 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 1999. . . . New York Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) threw two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-13 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1943. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw four touchdown passes in a 28-6 win against the Washington Redskins in 2004. Six years later with the Washington Redskins, McNabb passed for 376 yards in a 19-16 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2010. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) scored two third-quarter touchdowns - including a 44-yard punt return - in a 23-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1937. . . . 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 for the third game in a row in 2004. . . . Washington Redskins B Dick Poillon (Canisius hooper in early 1940s) returned a fumble recovery 93 yards for a touchdown in a 42-21 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948. . . . Chicago Rockets B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) scored two touchdowns (one rushing/one receiving) in a 41-16 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1947. . . . Washington Redskins CB Lonnie Sanders (averaged 10.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg as Michigan State forward in 1961-62) returned two interceptions a total of 79 yards in a 31-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . One of AAFC-leading 11 interceptions for New York Yankees rookie DB Otto Schnellbacher (averaged 11 ppg in four-year Kansas career, earning All-Big Six/Seven Conference honors each season) was returned 40 yards for a touchdown in a 34-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1948. . . . Detroit Lions B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in a 16-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1937. . . . 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% from floor for Clark Atlanta GA) opened the game's scoring with a 39-yard touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 28-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 1971. . . . 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 11 pass receptions for 141 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 28-20 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1965. . . . New York Giants rookie DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown in a 49-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1948.
22: Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught 10 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown (70 yards) from Bob Waterfield against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day in 1945. . . . Boston Redskins rookie E Sam Busich (Ohio State hoops letterman in 1935 and 1936) made his lone NFL touchdown reception in a 30-6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936. . . . Portsmouth Spartans rookie TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference choice for Colorado College) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-19 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1931. . . . New York Titans TE Thurlow Cooper (averaged 10.4 ppg for Maine in 1955-56 after averaging 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg previous season) had a career-high four pass receptions in a 46-45 win against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears E Hoot Drury (SLU hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) caught a 37-yard touchdown pass from Keith Molesworth (three-year letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) in a 26-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931. . . . 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 an 18-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in a 34-31 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015. . . . Cincinnati Bengals LB James Francis (averaged 3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Baylor in 1986-87 and 1987-88) had two interceptions - returning one of them 66 yards for a touchdown - and chipped in with two sacks in a 19-13 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1992. . . . 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 20-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1953. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four first-half touchdown passes in a 52-35 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1951. . . . New York Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) rushed for two touchdowns in a 21-21 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1942. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in a 33-31 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1981. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-Pacific Coast Conference second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for two touchdowns in a 20-19 win against the Portsmouth Spartans in 1931. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 31-20 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1998. Eleven years later with the Buffalo Bills, Owens had a 98-yard touchdown reception en route to nine catches for 197 yards in an 18-15 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 46-45 win against the Denver Broncos in 1962. . . . In the midst of securing a touchdown pass in four consecutive contests, Oakland Raiders TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) opened the game's scoring with a 66-yard TD reception from Marc Wilson in a 55-21 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1981. . . . Los Angeles Rams DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned an interception 53 yards for a touchdown in a 21-13 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1952. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1961-62) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-24 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1979. . . . Detroit Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU letterman as freshman in 1945-46) rushed for the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 20-16 win against the Chicago Bears in 1953. . . . New York Giants E Will Walls (starting forward with TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) caught a 60-yard touchdown pass in a 21-21 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1942.
23: Brooklyn Dodgers HB Al Akins (forward was letterman for Washington in 1944 after lettering with Washington State previous two years) caught a 50-yard touchdown pass in a 16-12 setback against the Los Angeles Dons in 1947. . . . New York Giants E Red Badgro (first-five All-PCC pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened the game's scoring with a 22-yard touchdown reception in a 13-6 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1930. . . . Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw six touchdown passes in a 45-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1947. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) had two touchdown receptions in a 28-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1947. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 54-31 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 2008. . . . 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 - including an 88-yard punt return - in a 28-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1947. . . . Minnesota Vikings 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 312 yards and three touchdowns in a 23-21 setback against the New York Jets in 1997. . . . Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 49-14 win against the New York Yanks in 1950. Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught three TD passes. . . . Washington Redskins WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) had a career-high 10 pass receptions in a 27-20 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1969. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned an interception 78 yards for a touchdown in a 19-16 win against the Denver Broncos in 1986. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier letterman in 1943) rushed for two touchdowns in a 33-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had seven pass receptions for 213 yards in a 35-22 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) had more than 100 yards in rushing (121) and receiving (106) en route to scoring two touchdowns - including go-ahead pass reception from Mike Phipps in fourth quarter - in a 35-23 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 34-30 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . Chicago Bears TE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) caught a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown pass from George Blanda in a 24-23 win against the Detroit Lions in 1952. . . . 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 33-12 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1958. . . . Staten Island Stapletons B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech letterman in 1926) accounted for the game's only scoring with a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown in a 6-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1930.
24: Cleveland Browns rookie HB Al Akins (forward was letterman for Washington in 1944 after lettering with Washington State previous two years) rushed for a 50-yard touchdown in a 42-17 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1946. . . . 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 33-6 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974. . . . Detroit Lions LB Roosevelt Barnes (collected 14 points and 23 rebounds in 24 games for Purdue's 1980 Final Four team after scoring 39 points in 43 games previous two seasons) returned an interception 70 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983. . . . Cleveland Browns rookie 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 - one of them for 69 yards - in a 45-31 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957. Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two second-quarter TD passes from Norm Van Brocklin. . . . 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 27-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1957. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught seven passes for 146 yards in a 17-17 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963. . . . New York Giants DB Scott Eaton (three-year Oregon State letterman averaged 6 ppg and 2.8 rpg) secured his third interception of the month in 1968. . . . New York Giants rookie DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) provided an interception for the second straight game in 1996. . . . New York Giants rookie E Tod Goodwin (West Virginia hoops letterman in 1932-33) scored the game's lone touchdown with a 55-yard pass from Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) in a 10-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1935. . . . 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 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 34-27 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned a fumble recovery 20 yards for a touchdown in a 27-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1963. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-10 win against the Boston Patriots in 1968. Nine years later, Griese threw six TD passes in a 55-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977. . . . 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-half touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2002. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 24-17 win against the New York Giants in 1963. . . . 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) caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco in a 19-3 win against the New York Jets in 2013. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had 11 pass receptions in a 19-16 win against the Washington Redskins in 1996. . . . Oakland Raiders DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned two interceptions a total of 47 yards in a 38-14 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991. . . . 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 28-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1949. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) registered three sacks and returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown in a 34-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985. . . . Chicago Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) scored a touchdown in his third consecutive contest in 1932. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-PCC second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for three touchdowns in a 19-0 win against the Dayton Triangles in 1929. . . . Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) caught two touchdown passes from Eric Hipple in a 45-3 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983. . . . New York Yankees TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-28 setback against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Chicago Bears E Dick Plasman (Vanderbilt two-year starting center named to 1936 All-SEC Tournament second five) caught a 58-yard touchdown pass in a 47-25 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940. . . . New England Patriots TE John Tanner (JC recruit averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Tennessee Tech in 1968-69) opened the game's scoring by catching a touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett in a 27-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) scored the game-winning touchdown - 10-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick - with 10 seconds remaining in a 23-19 nod over the Oakland Raiders in 2013.
25: 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 (one pass reception/two rushes) in a 35-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers 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 two second-half touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 21-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1979. . . . A 26-yard touchdown pass from Eddie LeBaron to E John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) in the fourth quarter gave the Washington Redskins a 20-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1956. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes - including decisive 32-yard score with 48 seconds remaining - in a 34-27 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2001. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) rushed for two touchdowns in a 23-14 win against the New York Giants in 1945. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 32-14 win against the Baltimore Ravens 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 second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins S Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) opened game's scoring by returning fumble recovery 17 yards for a touchdown in 20-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1956. . . . Chicago Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions (79 and 56 yards) in a 17-17 tie against the New York Giants in 1956. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 14-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973. . . . New York Yankees B Wild Bill Kelly (two-year Montana hoops letterman in mid-1920s) returned an interception 46 yards for a touchdown in a 19-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1928. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas letterman in early 1940s) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-14 win against the Detroit Lions in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught seven passes for 135 yards in a 33-30 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1979. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (52 and 15 yards) in a 24-24 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1965. . . . Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) had two interceptions - returning one of them 45 yards for a touchdown - in a 21-7 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had two of his league-high 13 pass reception touchdowns en route to 13 catches for 166 yards in a 38-17 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2002. . . . Cleveland Browns rookie RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) scored two touchdowns in a 21-16 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1973. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) had five pass receptions for 125 yards - including three touchdowns from Y.A. Tittle - in a 42-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1962. . . . Chicago Bears DE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) returned a fumble recovery 55 yards for a touchdown in a 42-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1951.
26: Washington Redskins FB Frank Akins (averaged 1.7 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) opened the game's scoring with a rushing touchdown in a 14-7 win against the Boston Yanks in 1944. . . . New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in a 37-21 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1961. . . . 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 38-28 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1950. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught a 97-yard touchdown pass from Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) in a 34-15 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1953. . . . 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 three first-half touchdowns in a 28-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1961. . . . Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference choice for Colorado College) scored the game's decisive touchdown with a 51-yard rush in the fourth quarter in a 13-7 win against the Chicago Bears in 1936. . . . St. Louis Rams LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had two interceptions in a 31-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2000. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two first-quarter touchdowns in a 24-17 win against the Detroit Lions in 1959. . . . New York Giants E Jim Lee Howell (All-SWC first-five selection as Arkansas senior in 1935-36) caught two touchdown passes in a 28-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939. . . . Minnesota Vikings 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 in a 31-26 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2006. . . . 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 two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) intercepted one of Kapp's passes. . . . 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 - returning one 32 yards for a touchdown - in a 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967. . . . HB Kent Ryan (two-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference first-team choice for Utah State averaged 8.1 ppg in league play in 1933-34, 9.9 ppg in 1934-35, 9.3 ppg in 1935-36 and 7.6 ppg in 1936-37) scored the Detroit Lions' lone touchdown with a three-yard rush in a 31-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1939. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in a 30-27 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961. . . . New York Giants 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 62-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1972. . . . 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 29 yards in a 24-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1978. . . . 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 304 yards (50.7 average) in a 21-16 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1972.
27: Cleveland Bulldogs E Carl Bacchus (three-year Missouri hoops letterman in mid-1920s) opened the scoring with a 65-yard touchdown reception in a 32-7 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1927. . . . Houston Texans LB Connor Barwin (played 34 games for Cincinnati in 2005-06 and 2006-07) had four sacks and seven tackles in a 20-13 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned a kickoff 53 yards for a touchdown in a 31-17 win against the Denver Broncos in 1969. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas A&M win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) had nine pass receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns in a 48-24 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1952. Three TD passes for Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) were in the second quarter. . . . Cleveland Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught two touchdown passes (16 and 41 yards) from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 35-35 tie against the New York Giants in 1955. Graham finished with three TD passes. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught three touchdown passes in a 40-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught six passes for 134 yards in a 38-38 tie against the Denver Broncos in 1960. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie DB Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) intercepted a pass in second consecutive contest in 1977. . . . New York Giants E Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 13-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two second-half touchdown passes in a 42-29 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2005. . . . Minnesota Vikings 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 in a 24-12 win against the Cleveland Browns in 2005. . . . Chicago Bears E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) opened the game's scoring with a 49-yard touchdown catch in a 7-7 tie against the Portland Spartans in 1932. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie E Jim Lukens (Washington & Lee VA hoops letterman) caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in a 38-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1949. Ratterman finished the game with three TD passes. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw four touchdown passes in a 48-20 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in a 38-14 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1949. . . . San Francisco 49ers 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 six passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-22 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1960. . . . Green Bay Packers E Steve Pritko (Villanova two-year hoops letterman) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-21 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949. . . . Washington Redskins E-P Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin letterman in early 1960s) averaged 46 yards on six punts in a 72-41 win against the New York Giants in 1966. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks in a 33-21 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2005. Two years earlier, Taylor returned a fumble recovery 34 yards for a touchdown in a 40-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. . . . 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 three second-half touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka (80, 24 and 35 yards) in a 38-38 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1960. Taylor finished the game with nine receptions for 199 yards. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Sid Watson (averaged 4.1 ppg as Northeastern freshman in 1951-52) had a 62-yard pass reception touchdown from Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) in a 23-14 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1955. . . . Denver Broncos RB Wandy Williams (led Hofstra in scoring with 19.9 ppg in 1967-68) rushed for a touchdown in a 31-17 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969. . . . B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) supplied the Staten Island Stapletons' only touchdown with a five-yard rush in a 7-6 win against the New York Giants in 1930.
28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Larry Ball (played eight hoop games for Louisville as sophomore in 1968-69 before persuaded by coach Lee Corso to concentrate on football) had an interception in a 49-16 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1976. . . . TE Luther Broughton (forward scored five points in five games for Furman in 1994-95) scored both of the Philadelphia Eagles' touchdowns with fourth-quarter receptions from QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) in a 20-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1999. . . . 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 146 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns - three rushing/one receiving - in a 42-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965. . . . TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference choice for Colorado College) scored both of the Detroit Lions' touchdowns in a 14-2 win against the Chicago Bears in 1935. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski ([Fordham](schools/fordham0 hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 touchdown passes in a 21-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935. . . . Boston Yanks HB Bob Davis (Kentucky letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the game's scoring with a 21-yard touchdown catch in a 34-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1946. . . . Oakland Raiders 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 Rich Gannon in a 37-34 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs 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 fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 34-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004. . . . 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 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 49-24 win against the New York Giants in 2011. . . . 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 31-28 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1948. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown in a 34-31 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. . . . 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 fourth consecutive contest of the month in 1976. . . . E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) provided the Chicago Bears' second touchdown with a 43-yard pass reception in a 15-7 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1937. Three weeks earlier, Manske had a 64-yard TD catch in a 24-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers. . . . 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) had 10 pass receptions in a 23-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993. . . . Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier letterman in 1943) returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown in a 35-14 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . Chicago Cardinals FB Ernie Nevers (All-PCC second-five choice for Stanford in 1924-25) rushed for six touchdowns in a 40-6 win against the Chicago Bears in 1929. Two years later, Nevers rushed for two second-quarter TDs in a 21-0 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1931. . . . 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 46 yards for a touchdown in a 21-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) had two second-quarter rushing touchdowns in a 35-14 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes to Pete Retzlaff in a 28-24 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks in a 24-17 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2004.
29: 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 26-of-32 passes (including four touchdowns) in a 41-21 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1981. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Boston Redskins rookie DL Victor Carroll (three-year hoops letterman for Nevada-Reno in mid-1930s) returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown in a 30-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1936. . . . New York Giants rookie TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 11 tackles for the third time during the 2009 campaign. . . . 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 43-14 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Six years later, Gates had two touchdown receptions in a little over one minute late in the first half of a 31-25 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015. . . . Houston Oilers 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 31-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1970. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers B Ralph Kercheval (Kentucky hooper in 1932-33 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) provided the game's decisive score with a rushing touchdown in a 13-7 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1936. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had two interceptions in a 31-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1970. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had seven pass receptions for 156 yards in a 37-27 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2007. . . . Chicago Bears K Mac Percival (three-year letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) caught a pass for 19 yards in a 21-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1970. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had five pass receptions for 143 yards in a 20-20 tie against the Denver Broncos in 1964. . . . Minnesota Vikings TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) caught 11 passes - including a touchdown in his third consecutive 1981 contest. . . . Detroit Lions B Bill Shepherd (Western Maryland hooper) returned a fumble recovery 38 yards for a touchdown in a 26-17 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1936. . . . 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 38-24 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1964. . . . Kansas City Chiefs rookie 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% from floor for Clark Atlanta GA) opened the game's scoring with a career-long 50-yard touchdown reception from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 26-14 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1970. . . . 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 13 pass receptions in a 20-20 tie against the Oakland Raiders in 1964. . . . In the midst of four consecutive contests with a touchdown catch, Jacksonville Jaguars 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) had nine pass receptions in a 31-25 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2015.
30: Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) scored two first-quarter touchdowns - including a 91-yard kickoff return - in a 63-7 win against the New York Giants in 1952. Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) threw four of his league-high 20 TD passes. . . . New York Giants B Stu Clancy (Holy Cross letterman from 1928 through 1930 was hoops captain as senior) rushed for the game's only touchdown in a 10-0 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1933. . . . In 2003, Atlanta Falcons WR Terrence Edwards (collected 26 points and 14 rebounds for Georgia in 14 games second half of freshman season in 1998-99) had his only NFL pass reception (10 yards in 17-13 setback against Houston Texans). . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) rushed for two touchdowns in a 30-10 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1947. . . . Dallas Cowboys TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) opened the game's scoring by catching a 54-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1961-62) in a 22-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 1973. . . . 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 28-24 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2003. . . . WR Ray Hamilton (Arkansas letterman for two SWC hoop champions from 1936 through 1938) scored the Los Angeles Rams' lone touchdown with a 10-yard pass reception from Bob Waterfield in a 30-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1947. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-30 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1975. . . . In the midst of catching a touchdown pass in 11 of the San Francisco 49ers' last 12 games of the 1998 season, WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had five receptions for 140 yards in a 31-7 win against the New York Giants. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 44-9 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1997. . . . Detroit Lions B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) opened the game's scoring with an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 21-3 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1941. . . . Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught seven passes for 132 yards in a 45-21 setback against the Houston Texans in 2014. . . . Chicago Bears E Joe Zeller (averaged 4.1 ppg as three-year Indiana letterman from 1929-30 through 1931-32) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass in a 22-6 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1933.
Impact of former college hoopers on professional football in October
Impact of former college hoopers on professional football in September
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 31 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.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 31 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 31
SS Alvin Dark (basketball letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to the San Francisco Giants in 1960.
Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) named winner of the 1979 A.L. Cy Young Award.
RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) started Game 4 for the Kansas City Royals when they defeated the New York Mets, 5-3, to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the 2015 World Series.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 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.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 30
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman basketball squad in 1953-54) and St. Louis Cardinals SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) finished 1-2 in N.L. MVP voting in 1963.
1B Gary Holle (Siena's scoring and rebounding leader in 1974-75 and 1975-76) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981.
Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hired as Baltimore Orioles manager in 1995.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 29
Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) stepped down as president and general manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1987.
OF Wally Roettger (Illinois letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) purchased from the New York Giants by the Cincinnati Reds in 1930.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 28
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) captured the Cy Young Award in 1968.
A homer by Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) against the Cleveland Indians accounted for the only run in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series as the Braves became the first franchise to win championships representing three different cities (previously Boston and Milwaukee).
SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.
OF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) traded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Seattle Mariners in 2002.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 27
SS Dick Groat (two-time basketball All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) traded with 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) and C Bob Uecker by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies for C Pat Corrales, OF Alex Johnson and P Art Mahaffey in 1965.
In the longest opener in World Series history (14 innings), Kansas City Royals RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) fanned the side in the 12th en route to three hitless frames and earning the win against the New York Mets, 5-4, in 2015.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 26
Detroit Tigers OF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on basketball scholarship in late 1920s) won 1940 A.L. MVP.
In 1960, Washington Senators President Calvin Griffith (hoops letterman in 1934 and 1935 when George Washington compiled 25-10 record) made decision to move franchise to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
RHP Oral Hildebrand (hoops All-American for Butler in 1928-29 and 1929-30) traded by the St. Louis Browns to the New York Yankees in 1938.
RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the Texas Rangers to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 25 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 25
OF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA basketball titlist) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Chicago White Sox in 1955.
C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) purchased from the Detroit Tigers by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972.
1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) traded by the Texas Rangers to the San Diego Padres in 1978.
In 1977, RHP Jim Todd (played for Parsons IA before averaging 16 ppg with Millersville State PA in 1968-69) shipped by the Chicago Cubs to the Seattle Mariners to complete an earlier deal in the spring.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 24 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 24
Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (basketball letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) stroked two doubles among his three hits in a 4-2 Game 4 victory against the New York Giants and Hall of Fame RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) in the 1911 World Series.
Securing at least one steal in his seventh consecutive postseason contest, Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) went 3-for-3, scored three runs and received three walks in a 7-6 win against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the 1995 World Series. Seven years later with the San Francisco Giants, Lofton provided three hits for the second straight game in the 2002 World Series against the Anaheim Angels.
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) supplied the game-winning RBI in an 8-7 victory against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 1981 World Series.
Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41), the first black major leaguer of the 20th Century, died of heart disease at the age of 53 in 1972.
DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) banged out a two-out, two-run double in the top of the 11th inning to spark the Toronto Blue Jays to their first World Series championship with a 4-3 decision over the Atlanta Braves in Game 6 in 1992.
World Series-ious Athletes: Fall Classic Impact of Former College Hoopers
Numerous universities have had versatile athletes who played college basketball before going on to major league baseball careers including appearances in the Fall Classic.
While many single-minded basketball fans are assessing polls and rankings in preseason hoop magazines and websites, following is an incisive "Who Am I?" quiz for well-rounded basketball/baseball enthusiasts taking a toll on their memories as they try to recall World Series participants who played varsity basketball for a current NCAA Division I college. Keep your chin up if you need relief answering the following questions because they're almost as difficult as both teams will find scoring off first-rate bullpens:
I was a 13-year major league second baseman who set several fielding records and played in the 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox after ranking among the nation's top 12 free-throw shooters both of my college basketball seasons with Oklahoma State.
Who am I? Jerry Adair
I was a 17-year first baseman who hit four homers and a double in a single game and played in back-to-back World Series with the Milwaukee Braves after being LSU's leading scorer (18.6 points per game) for the Tigers' 1945-46 team compiling an 18-3 record and losing against Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference Tournament final.
Who am I? Joe Adcock
I was a 10-year pitcher who led the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935 with an 18-7 record (.720) for the World Series-bound Detroit Tigers after I was named to the first five on an all-conference basketball team in my final season at Kansas State. I was a submariner who hurled a complete game victory in a 10-4 verdict over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the '34 Series before losing Game 7 to Dizzy Dean.
Who am I? Eldon Auker
I was a shortstop who participated in five World Series, four with the champion, in a six-year span from 1910 through 1915 after earning a basketball letter for Holy Cross in 1908.
Who am I? John "Jack" Barry
I was a rookie pitcher in 1978 with the New York Yankees who went the distance for the first time in my major league career in a Game 5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. I was a 6-5 forward who averaged 14.3 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds per game for Dartmouth in 1974-75 when I was selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League.
Who am I? Jim Beattie
I was a catcher who appeared in back-to-back World Series with the New York Yankees (1927 and 1928) after being a basketball letterman for Niagara from 1916-17 through 1918-19.
Who am I? Bernard "Benny" Bengough
I was an outfielder who, during my 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit a double in the 1925 World Series to help them become the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a seven-game series. I played with my brother on Oregon's basketball squad before we briefly played alongside each other with the Pirates.
Who am I? Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee
I was a player-manager who earned American League MVP honors in leading the Cleveland Indians to the 1948 World Series after being the top scorer for an Illinois team sharing a Big Ten Conference basketball title.
Who am I? Lou Boudreau
I was a pitcher who appeared in the 1947 and 1949 World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers after notching 21-12 and 13-5 won-loss marks, respectively, following a basketball career at NYU, where I was the Violets' sixth-leading scorer in 1943-44 with an average of 3.8 points per game. Major league player and manager Bobby Valentine is my son-in-law.
Who am I? Ralph Branca
I was a 12-year outfielder who played in three World Series with the New York Yankees and hit 38 home runs in one season with Kansas City after finishing my college basketball career ranking fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list.
Who am I? Bob Cerv
I am a Hall of Fame catcher who participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers after playing basketball for Boston University.
Who am I? Mickey Cochrane
I posted a 1.88 ERA in 14 1/3 innings for the Boston Red Sox against the New York Giants in the 1912 World Series after being a two-year basketball letterman with Vermont.
Who am I? Ray Collins
I am a Hall of Fame outfielder for the New York Yankees who compiled a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) after being captain with Eastern Kentucky's basketball squad.
Who am I? Earle Combs
I am a three-time All-Star Game performer who pitched in the 1957 World Series for the Milwaukee Braves after being an All-Pacific Coast Conference first-team selection in 1949-50 when the 6-7 sophomore center led Washington State and the PCC North Division in scoring (13.3 points per game).
Who am I? Gene Conley
I appeared in two World Series games for St. Louis Cardinals in 1934 after serving as Davidson basketball captain in early 1920s.
Who am I? Pat Crawford
I hit .323 in three World Series (1948 with Boston Braves; 1951 and 1954 with New York Giants). Member of LSU's 1942-43 basketball squad before entering military service (Marine Corps V-12 program) during World War II. Known as the "Swamp Fox," I was a five-sport letterman with Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now Louisiana-Lafayette) during 1943-44.
Who am I? Alvin Dark
I led N.L. outfielders in putouts three years and hit near or over .300 for three St. Louis Cardinal pennant
winners (1926, 1928 and 1930) after earning letters three seasons in basketball for California.
Who am I? Taylor Douthit
I was a second baseman who posted a career-high 22-game hitting streak during 1975 regular season before hitting safely in all seven World Series contests for Boston Red Sox against Cincinnati Reds. I averaged 2.7 ppg in 11 basketball outings with Morehead State in 1962-63.
Who am I? Denny Doyle
I was a 10-year utility infielder who saw action in two World Series games in 1959 with the Chicago White Sox after averaging seven points per contest as a 5-9 starting guard for Indiana in 1951-52.
Who am I? Sammy Esposito
I was a catcher who appeared in two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1974 and 1978). Pacific teammate of All-American Keith Swagerty averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coach Dick Edwards, scoring two points against eventual NCAA champion UCLA in the 1967 West Regional final.
Who am I? Joe Ferguson
I led the A.L. in won-loss percentage in 1946 with a 25-6 mark before pitching a shutout in Game 3 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1940-41.
Who am I? Boo Ferriss
I was a lefthanded hitting backup outfielder who participated in the 1929 World Series with the Philadelphia
Athletics after being a basketball letterman for Army's 18-5 team in 1921 following two campaigns with Rutgers.
Who am I? Walter French
I wasa righthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1980 World Series with the Kansas City Royals after leading New Hampshire with 7.2 rebounds per game in 1975-76.
Who am I? Rich Gale
I was a first baseman-outfielder who hit 103 major league homers and pinch hit four times for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series after earning a letter with Temple's basketball team in 1948-49 when I averaged 2.7 points per game.
Who am I? Dick Gernert
I was a lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1960 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates after finishing my four-year college career as Mississippi's leader in career scoring and rebounds following a senior season when my scoring average was higher than first-team All-Americans Elgin Baylor (Seattle) and Wilt Chamberlain (Kansas).
Who am I? Joe Gibbon
I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who set a record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers in my third World
Series in five years after becoming the first basketball player in Creighton history to average at least 20 points per game in a career.
Who am I? Bob Gibson
I am a palm-ball specialist who blanked the Baltimore Orioles in 5 1/3 innings in three relief appearances for the champion Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1971 World Series after becoming the first N.L. pitcher to appear in each contest of a four-game LCS. I connected on 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60.
Who am I? Dave Giusti
I am a Hall of Fame first baseman-left fielder who had 14 extra-base hits in four World Series with the Detroit Tigers after attending NYU briefly on a basketball scholarship in 1929.
Who am I? Hank Greenberg
I am an eight-time All-Star Game shortstop who started for World Series championship teams with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 after twice ranking among the top four scorers in the country with Duke.
Who am I? Dick Groat
I was a perennial All-Star outfielder with multiple Gold Gloves and N.L. batting titles who sparked the San Diego Padres to two World Series (1984 and 1998) after being a two-time All-WAC second-team selection as a San Diego State guard who led the league in assists as a sophomore and junior.
Who am I? Tony Gwynn
I was a three-time All-Star catcher who played in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants (swatted a two-run homer off Hall of Famer Whitey Ford of the Yankees in Game Four) after playing as a backup forward for Illinois' basketball squad as a sophomore (1956-57) and junior (1957-58).
Who am I? Tom Haller
I was a 12-year lefthanded reliever who appeared in back-to-back World Series (1963 and 1964) with the New York Yankees after the 6-7 Morehead State forward-center ranked 15th in the country in scoring as a junior (24.2 ppg in 1956-57) and among the nation's top 10 rebounders as a senior (19.1 rpg in 1957-58).
Who am I? Steve Hamilton
I was a 12-year lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1989 World Series with the San Francisco Giants after being a 6-2 guard who averaged 5.3 points per game as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as a sophomore in 1977-78 for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Atlee Hammaker
I was a first baseman-outfielder who participated in the 1942 World Series with the New York Yankees after
playing for Manhattan basketball teams winning a school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931.
Who am I? John "Buddy" Hassett
I was a lefthanded hitting utilityman who participated as a rookie with the New York Yankees in the 1923 World Series against the New York Giants after being a basketball letterman for Vanderbilt in 1918.
Who am I? Harvey Hendrick
I was a 10-year pitcher who hurled four shutout innings as the fourth-game starter for the New York Yankees in the 1939 World Series after being a basketball All-American for Butler. I was named to the first A.L. All-Star team in 1933.
Who am I? Oral Hildebrand
I was a 16-year first baseman/outfielder who homered in Game 4 of the 1963 World Series to help the Los Angeles Dodgers sweep the New York Yankees and twice led the A.L. in homers after leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding as a junior and senior.
Who am I? Frank Howard
I was a 13-year infielder who slugged 43 of my 136 career homers for the Atlanta Braves in 1973 after appearing in four World Series with the Baltimore Orioles (1966, 1969, 1970 and 1971). I averaged 1.7 points per game as a sophomore in my only varsity basketball season (1961-62) with Texas A&M before signing a pro baseball contract.
Who am I? Davey Johnson
I was a 13-year outfielder who hit .306 for the New York Yankees in 19 World Series games after being a three-year basketball letterman for Maryland.
Who am I? Charlie Keller
I was a Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher who became N.L. MVP but lost the 1950 World Series opener to the New York Yankees as a starter, 1-0, after playing two seasons for Syracuse basketball teams.
Who am I? Jim Konstanty
I began rookie year with the Chicago Cubs by winning nine of my first 10 decisions before becoming a reliever for the 1969 Amazin' Mets World Series champion. I was a standout basketball player for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when the North Carolina-based school was a junior college.
Who am I? Cal Koonce
I was an infielder-outfielder who hit .303 in my 15-year career. When I was with the Detroit Tigers, I led the
A.L. in batting average once (.353 in 1959), hits four times (209 in 1953 when he was rookie of the year, 201 in 1954, 196 in 1956 and 198 in 1959) and doubles on three occasions (38 in 1955, 39 in 1958 and 42 in 1959) before appearing in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants. I managed the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1982 World Series. I played in five games for Wisconsin's basketball team in the 1951-52 season.
Who am I? Harvey Kuenn
I was a three-time All-Star outfielder who posted a .331 average with 22 HRs and 107 RBI in my first full season with the New York Giants in 1935 before appearing in the World Series in 1936 and 1937. I had two hits in a six-run second inning of Game Four in the Giants' lone victory against the New York Yankees in 1937 after scoring 16 points in nine basketball games for Arizona in 1931.
Who am I? Hank Leiber
I am an outfielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases, a record for an A.L. rookie, and appeared in the World
Series with three different teams (Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants) after setting
Arizona basketball records for steals in a season and career.
Who am I? Kenny Lofton
I was a 12-year infielder who played in the 1957 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees after being a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won 1952 and 1953 NAIA Tournament titles.
Who am I? Jerry Lumpe
I was a lefthanded outfielder who appeared in 1943 World Series for the New York Yankees against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman with William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38.
Who am I? Arthur "Bud" Metheny
I was a Gold Glove left fielder in 1960 between participating in two World Series with the Dodgers (1959 and
1965) after averaging 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50.
Who am I? Wally Moon
I was a righthander who appeared in 1934 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals' Gas House Gang against the Detroit Tigers. I was an all-around athlete for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Jim Mooney
I was an infielder who hit .303 with the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox in 17 A.L. seasons from 1925 through 1941, participating in two World Series (1925 and 1933). I was a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1923-24.
Who am I? Charles "Buddy" Myer
I was a five-time All-Star who holds the A.L. record for most homers by a third baseman (319), but was homerless in five World Series (four with the New York Yankees and one with the San Diego Padres). The highlight of my career was four dazzling stops in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series to help the Yankees win their first of four consecutive games. I averaged 5.3 points per game while earning basketball letters in my hometown for San Diego State in 1963-64 and 1964-65, shooting 87.8% from the free-throw line (36 of 41) as a sophomore.
Who am I? Graig Nettles
I was a 19-year MLB pitcher who appeared in two World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies after averaging 18.9 points and 14.3 rebounds in three varsity basketball seasons with Notre Dame.
Who am I? Ron Reed
I was a catcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 World Series. I led Duquesne in scoring in my senior season with a 17.9 average in 1956-57 when I finished fourth in the nation in free-throw percentage (86.2). As a sophomore, I was a starter for an NIT championship team that compiled a 22-4 record and finished sixth in the final AP poll.
Who am I? Dave Ricketts
I appeared in 1915 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies en route to becoming the N.L.'s winningest
lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke my record. I earned basketball letters with Virginia in 1911-12 and 1913-14.
Who am I? Eppa Rixey Jr.
I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who was a 20-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies after leading Michigan State in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. In 1950, I lost my only World Series start, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off me in the 10th inning.
Who am I? Robin Roberts
I am a Hall of Fame infielder who was a regular for six National League pennant winners after compiling league-high scoring averages in both of my seasons with UCLA. I collected two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Who am I? Jackie Robinson
I was a four-time All-Star third baseman with the New York Yankees who appeared in six of the seven World Series from 1936 through 1942. I managed the Detroit Tigers after being a head basketball coach with Yale and with the Toronto Huskies of the Basketball Association of America. I played in a handful of basketball games for Dartmouth.
Who am I? Robert "Red" Rolfe
I was a New York Yankees lefthander who registered a pair of 2-1 World Series victories (over the Brooklyn
Dodgers in 1941 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1943) after playing for two of the premier teams in college basketball history when LIU went 24-2 in 1934-35 and 26-0 in 1935-36. I was named to the first five on the Metropolitan New York Basketball Writers Association All-Star Team after the undefeated season.
Who am I? Marius Russo
I pitched in two World Series games for the New York Yankees in 1964 after being a 6-4 sophomore forward who averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for Connecticut's NCAA Tournament team in 1959-60.
Who am I? Rollie Sheldon
I was a three-time All-Star first baseman-outfielder who played in the 1956 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees and 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox. I was a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953.
Who am I? Norm Siebern
I was an infielder-outfielder who batted .319 or better in 12 of 14 major league seasons with the Cleveland
Indians and Chicago Cubs from 1921 through 1934. In 1927, my first full season with the Cubs, I led the N.L. with 46 doubles. In the Cubs' 1929 pennant-winning season, I combined with Hall of Famers Kiki Cuyler and Hack Wilson to become the first outfield in N.L. history to have each starter finish with more than 100 RBI. I hit .378 in nine World Series games with the Cubs in 1929 and 1932 after being a guard who earned a basketball letter with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 1920.
Who am I? Riggs Stephenson
I was a 10-year switch-hitting utilityman who played in the 1970 World Series with the Cincinnati Reds. I was an all-conference selection both years when I finished third in scoring for Austin Peay State teams in 1959-60 (11.5 points per game) and 1960-61 (10.4 ppg) that participated in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Who am I? Jimmy Stewart
I was a 13-year veteran who appeared in 485 major league games, all as a reliever, and won a 1979 World Series game with the Baltimore Orioles after being a starting forward opposite national player of the year David Thompson of North Carolina State for an NCAA basketball champion.
Who am I? Tim Stoddard
I was a lefthander who led the N.L. in won-loss percentage in 1973 (12-3 mark with the New York Mets) before appearing in the World Series and notching a save in Game 2 against the Oakland A's. Basketball letterman for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66 (averaged 14.7 ppg as teammate of noted women's coach Leon Barmore).
Who am I? George Stone
I was an 11-year infielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases three times and hit .326 in the World Series for back-to-back N.L. pennant winners with the Cincinnati Reds after becoming the first Duke player to earn All-American honors in basketball. I was the initial player to bat in a televised major league game (Reds vs. Brooklyn on August 26, 1939) and the only player ever to hit four consecutive doubles in a game in both leagues.
Who am I? Billy Werber
I was an outfielder who played in 12 All-Star Games and had over 3,000 career hits after playing the entire game for Minnesota in the Gophers' first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972. I participated in the World Series with the New York Yankees (1981) and Toronto Blue Jays (1992).
Who am I? Dave Winfield
In the longest opener in World Series history (5-4 decision over the New York Mets in 14 innings), I fanned the side in the top of the 12th for the Kansas City Royals in 2015 en route to three hitless frames of relief in my 11th MLB season after the 6-10 center was an All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00 (13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.9 bpg).
Who am I? Chris Young
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 23 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 23
In Game 5 of the 1910 World Series, Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (basketball captain and starting center for Colby ME) tossed his third complete-game victory against the Chicago Cubs.
Boston Red Sox LHP Bruce Hurst (J.C. hooper for Dixie UT in mid-1970s) notched a 4-2 complete-game victory against the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 1986 World Series.
Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hired as Los Angeles Dodgers manager in 1998.
Kansas City Royals LF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed a pinch-hit double against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the 1985 World Series.
Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) replaced by Bob Watson as New York Yankees general manager in 1995.
INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, paving the way for MLB integration.
OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 1962-63 and 1963-64 with LIU-C.W. Post) purchased from the Cleveland Indians by the Washington Senators in 1970.
Hunt for Mr. October: Premier World Series Players Who Were NCAA Hoopers
A championship drought will end for either the Chicago Cubs (no World Series title since 1908) or Cleveland Indians (1948). But if it was easy, then everyone could do it. After playing college hoops for current Division I universities, MLB All-Stars Joe Adcock (LSU/no extra-base hits), Mickey Cochrane (Boston University/.245), Dick Groat (Duke/.204), Davey Johnson (Texas A&M/.192 and homerless), Wally Moon (Texas A&M/.240 with only one extra-base hit), Graig Nettles (San Diego State/.225 and homerless), Jackie Robinson (UCLA/.234) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota/.136 and homerless) struggled at the plate in World Series competition significantly more than they did during the regular season.
On the other hand, which such versatile athletes thrived in the Fall Classic? The premier pitcher and player overall in this category probably is Bob Gibson (Creighton) while the most regal regular may come from among outfielders Earle Combs (Eastern Kentucky), Tony Gwynn (San Diego State) and Riggs Stephenson (Alabama). Following is an All-Mr. October Team featuring former varsity basketball players who attended schools that are or were major colleges before excelling in the World Series:
| Position | Ex-College Hooper | DI School | World Series Participation Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Marius Russo | Long Island | Permitted only one earned run in winning both of his Fall Classic complete games with Yankees - 1941 (vs. Dodgers) and 1943 (Cardinals). |
| RHP | Bob Gibson | Creighton | Compiled 7-2 record and 1.89 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 81 innings with Cardinals in 1964 (Yankees), 1967 (Red Sox) and 1968 (Tigers). |
| Reliever | Ron Reed | Notre Dame | Allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings in five relief appearances with Phillies in 1980 (Royals) and 1983 (Orioles). |
| C | Tom Haller | Illinois | Hit .286 (4-for-14 including one homer off Hall of Fame P Whitey Ford) with Giants in 1962 (Yankees). |
| 1B | Hank Greenberg | NYU | Hit .318 (27-for-85) with 14 extra-base hits and 22 RBI for Tigers in 1934 (Cardinals), 1935 (Cubs), 1940 (Reds) and 1945 (Cubs). |
| 2B | Charles "Buddy" Myer | Mississippi State | Hit .286 (8-for-28) in eight games with Senators in 1925 (Pirates) and 1933 (Giants). |
| 3B | Billy Werber | Duke | Hit .326 (14-for-43) in games with Reds in 1939 (Yankees) and 1940 (Tigers). |
| SS | Alvin Dark | LSU/USL | Hit .323 (21-for-65) in 16 games for Braves (.167) and Giants (.415) in 1948 (Indians), 1951 (Yankees) and 1954 (Indians). |
| LF | Riggs Stephenson | Alabama | Hit .378 (14-for-37) in nine games with Cubs in 1929 (Athletics) and 1932 (Yankees). |
| CF | Earle Combs | Eastern Kentucky | Hit .350 (21-for-60) in 16 games with Yankees in 1926 (Cardinals), 1927 (Pirates), 1928 (Cardinals) and 1932 (Cubs). |
| RF | Tony Gwynn | San Diego State | Hit .371 (13-for-35) with Padres in 1984 (Tigers) and 1998 (Yankees). |
| Most Underrated | Charlie Keller | Maryland | OF hit .306 (22-of-72 with 10 extra-base hits) in 19 games with Yankees in 1939 (Reds), 1941 (Dodgers), 1942 (Cardinals) and 1943 (Cardinals). |
| Manager | Walter Alston | Miami (Ohio) | Seven N.L. pennants with Dodgers resulted in four World Series championships (1955-59-63-65). |
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 22 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 22
LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall basketball third-leading scorer and rebounder in 1961-62) purchased from the Houston Astros by the San Diego Padres in 1969.
Boston Red Sox 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) hit safely in all seven 1975 World Series games against the Cincinnati Reds.
C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 when he was team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) traded by the California Angels to the Milwaukee Brewers in a nine-player swap in 1973.
OF Joe Lahoud (letterman for New Haven CT in mid-1960s) traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the California Angels in a nine-player swap in 1973.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 21 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 21
1B Bill Davis (averaged 12.5 ppg in 1963-64 for Minnesota basketball team including eventual NBA standouts Archie Clark and Lou Hudson) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the San Diego Padres in 1968.
Kansas City Royals RHP Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) lost Game 6 when the Philadelphia Phillies clinched the 1980 World Series championship.
RHP Dave Giusti (made 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60) traded with C Dave Ricketts (Duquesne's leading scorer with 17.9 ppg in 1956-57) by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) provided his third multiple-hit game in four World Series contests against the New York Yankees in 1998.
In 1995 opener against the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four squad compiling 35-3 record) became the first player since 1921 to steal two bases in one inning of a World Series game.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) made his lone World Series appearance, hurling two innings of shutout relief for the Minnesota Twins in Game 4 of the 1987 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1935.
OF Richie Scheinblum (averaged 6.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 1962-63 and 1963-64 with LIU-C.W. Post) purchased from the Texas Rangers by the Kansas City Royals in 1971.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 20 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 20
Texas Rangers RHP Mike Adams (played basketball for Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1996-97) registered a victory in Game 2 of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Philadelphia Athletics SS Jack Barry (hoops letterman for Holy Cross in 1908) contributed three hits and three runs against the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the 1910 World Series.
St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) captured the 1931 N.L. MVP.
Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoop scholarship in late 1920s) won 1935 A.L. MVP.
Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) named Seattle Mariners manager in 2004.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on October 19 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
OCTOBER 19
RHP Bob Garibaldi (starting basketball forward for Santa Clara in 1961-62 when averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg) traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Kansas City Royals in 1970.
Kansas City Royals LF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed a pinch-hit triple against the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of the 1985 World Series.
In 1978, Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) named player-manager of the Chicago White Sox after they dismissed Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA titlist).
St. Louis Cardinals RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college in mid-1970s with Butler County PA) tossed a four-hitter in a 13-1 romp over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 6 of the 1982 World Series.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
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: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
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 player 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 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 (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 (member of 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 (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg), 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 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 squad) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Chicago Cubs in 1962.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (played as freshman 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: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
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 squad in mid-1960s) supplied his second three-hit game in the 1979 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
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 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 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 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 (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) 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 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.
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: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
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 (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 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 (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) 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 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 (played in J.C. 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: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
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 (member of 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 (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) jacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 6 of the 1992 NLCS.
OF Jim Lyttle (led Florida State in free-throw shooting 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 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 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: Ex-College Hoopers Make Their Mark on 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 hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.
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
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading basketball 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.
Pages
