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Birmingham Americans Wednesday, October 9th, 1974 Attendance 25,621 Legion Field Birmingham
25,621 fans saw the Birmingham Americans snap a two game losing skid with an impressive win over the Portland Storm. The Ams had perfect football weather, cool & crisp, to execute their game plan to almost perfection. The game started out anything but that way, however. Portland started out by showing its resolve to extend Birmingham’s losing streak to three games. The Storm took the opening kickoff and promptly drove 69 yards to take an early 8-0 lead. However, Birmingham slammed the door after that and allowed Portland no more points while running roughshod over and through the Storm defense. After Pete Beathard’s eight yard TD pass to Robert Holmes and subsequent action point, Birmingham blew one scoring opportunity at the Storm 11, but then came back to score on a one-yard Charley Harraway run. That ended a 38-yard, six-play drive. The AP was no good and Porland held a one point advantage.On Portland’s next possession, Birmingham LB Steve Manstedt intercepted Beathard setting the Ams up at the Storm 45. 10 plays later Joe Profit scored from two yards out. Paul Robinson literally ran over a Storm defender for the AP, Ams were up 15-8, which is how they stood at the half.Birmingham took the second half kickoff and, aided by a personal foul penalty on the return, drove 39 yards in seven plays to add to its lead. Mira found Dennis Homan in the corner of the end zone for the score from seven yards out. Then Mira passed to TE Bob Brown for the AP, Ams now led 23-8 with 10:35 left in the 3rd quarter.Early in the 4th quarter Randy Lee intercepted a Storm pass, setting Birmingham up at the Portland 44. Jim Bishop caught Mira’s bullet after going down on his knees, jumped up and sprinted in for a 13-yard TD. The AP was no good, but Birmingham’s 30-8 lead with 10:27 to play was enough. The Ams defense continued to hammer Portland and the Birmingham offense eased off the throttle to end it. The Birmingham defense put the clamps on Portland’s passing game, holding Beathard to only 82 yards passing, while reserve QB Greg Barton tallied two passing yards. The Storm ground game could muster but 94 yards. Meanwhile, Birmingham rushed for 169 yards, with Joe Profit being the leading ground-gainer with 91 yards, followed by Robinson, Cantrelle, Edwards, and Harraway. Mira’s 116 yards through the air came on 10 completions in 19 attempts, with an interception, but the Matador’s play calling as masterful, keeping the Storm defense off balance all night. The defense had plenty of big plays to go around, with Manstedt and Lee garnering interceptions. The LB crew of Warren Capone, Ross Brupbacher, and Manstedt, kept passing lanes clogged up underneath, while the secondary shut down the deeper routes. Defensive end Larry Estes was lost for the season with a separated shoulder.Head Coach Jack Gotta remarked “A lot of people missed some good football, but our core fans were there, the hard core of fans who have been with us all along were there. Believe me, we appreciate it.
RB Jimmy Edwards follows big FB Charley Harraway on a sweep
Paul Robinson high steps for yardage against the Storm defense
LB Ross Brupbacher brings down Storm QB Greg Barton |
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vs.
Portland Storm
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