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“DIARY OF A WINNER”
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THE PATRIOTS' FIRST TITLE September 29, 1963 ... Rookie John McCormick took over the Denver Broncos in the second half and led his team to a come from behind 14-10 victory over the Patriots. McCormick steered Denver in from the 23 yard line to start it all, and then pulled off a 76 yard pass play to give the Broncos the win. Two weeks removed from being cut by the Minnesota Vikings, McCormick took over from Mickey Slaughter who was unable to lead the Denver team with any offense. The Patriots offense was not much of a threat. Babe Parilli started well and got the ball down to the Denver 11 yard line in five plays and a penalty. There the Pats stalled and called upon Gino Cappeletti to kick an 18 yard field goal. That where the score stood at half time, 3-0 in favor of the Patriots. Early in the third quarter, Parilli hit Cappeletti and the ball ended up on the Broncos 31 yard line. He hit Cappy again on a pass at the 10 and Gino ran it in for a touchdown. With his extra point, the Pats led 10 to 0. Meanwhile, the Patriots defense was playing another strong game. It was unlikely that Denver could score enough points to overcome the Patriots lead. Denver’s Jim Fraser punted one high into the Denver wind and Pats returner, Tommy Stephens grabbed the ball and lost it when hit by Denver’s Chuck Gavin on the Pats 23. In came McCormick and in nine plays lead the Broncos in for their first score.
After that, every time the Broncos started to move, the Patriots’ defense tightened up and cut them short. Gene Mingo missed three field goals and gave the Broncos no threat. When McCormick got the ball the last time, he went to work. With beautiful protection, he took his time at his own 28. Lionel Taylor took the ball down the middle, then Gene Prebola went down the left side and Bob Scarpito took one down the right side. Down they moved to the Boston 34, where Taylor was given the ball again and sped into the end zone. Babe Parilli now had his back against the wall with 1:11 left to play, and threw up an interception to Denver’s Wahoo McDaniel to end any threat of a Patriots’ comeback. Then McCormick simply had to run out the clock. Holovak had high praise for Boston College’s Artie Graham after his performance against the Jets. Graham caught six passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns and gives the Pats another weapon in addition to Larry Garron, Gino Cappelletti and Jim Colclough. |
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