|
|
|
Make Birmingham Americans your home page Add Birmingham Americans to your Favorites Presented by Nestle
We are Still Constructing this site so please check back often
|
Birmingham Vulcans Saturday August 9th 1975 Attendance 21,000 Legion Field Birmingham
Duron engineered the first scoring drive, a 97-yard journey that started big, Duron fading into his own end zone and hitting Dennis Homan with a 39 yard pass to get the Vulcans out of a deep hole. After two runs, by Johnny Musso and Cantrelle, Duron found TE Bob Brown for 37 yards. Two plays later Duron hit Cantrelle with a swing pass that covered the final 14 yards and Birmingham drew first blood. Duron then found Homan in the corner of the end zone for the Action Point, Vulcans on top 8-0. In the second quarter, Philadelphia punter Linn Wells put Birmingham in another hole. His punt went out of bounds at the Birmingham four. Two plays later, Vulcans FB Ted Powell was trapped in the end zone on a sweep giving the Bell a safety. Rusty Jackson’s free kick was brought back to the Vulcan 42. Jim “King” Corcoran had the Bell in the end zone in six plays, J.J. Jennings running it in from three yards. Corcoran’s AP pass made it 10-8 with 9:38 to play until halftime. Birmingham mounted a late drive before intermission, but Ronnie Slovensky’s field goal attempt was wide to the right. The two teams traded turnovers early in the third quarter. Musso fumbled at the Bell 27, Bell punt returner Greg Butler couldn’t hold on to Jackson’s punt and Jim Bishop recovered it, only to have Musso lose control of the ball at the Bell 10. The Bell then mounted a drive only to see the Vulcans defense hold on 4th down at the Birmingham 28. Larry Willingham came in hard on a safety blitz to bury the Bell running back. The Vulcans would only need four plays to regain the lead. Joe Profit ripped a 20-yard run, Musso followed it up with a three-yarder , Homan caught Reed’s pass and gained 25 yards, then Reed ran a naked bootleg to the left and took it down the left sideline for the score. The AP was no good, but Birmingham led 15-10 with 11:47 remaining in the game. Philadelphia re-took the lead with Corcoran leading a 10-play 59-yard drive. The key was a pass interference penalty on third down that gave the Bell new life at the Vulcan’s one-yard line. Claude Watts took it in from there. The AP was no good, but the Bell now had the advantage, 17-15 with 6:38 remaining. Willie Burkes returned the Bell kick to the 35 and Reed move the Vulcans 65 yards in 9 plays. Profit, Musso, and Cantrelle contributed big runs, Bishop had a 20 yards reception, and Reed rolled around left end and, carrying to Bell tacklers with him, covered the final 10 yards. Profit scored the AP and the 23-17 score held. Philadelphia never got a chance to win it. On their first play after the ensuing kickoff, Willie Smith made a vicious hit on Bell RB John Land after he had caught a short Corcoran pass and Land fumbled. Willingham made the recovery and sealed it for the home team. Reed and Duron both look sharp passing, with Duron going out early with a knee sprain, but the running game, again, did the most damage. Musso was the leading rusher, followed by Profit, Cantrelle, and Reed. Musso was forced to wear jersey #20 after his customary #22 was stolen prior to kickoff. Homan, Brown, Cantrelle, Bishop, and Musso each contributed big catches from Reed or Duron.
Captains Willingham & Brown for the coin toss
King Corcoran hand of to Claude Watts
Paul Costa leads a sweep
Joe Profit scores the action point for the Vulcans
QB Matthew Reed on his way to the winning TD
Johnny Musso wore #20 after his #22 jersey was stolen
Final score 23-17
|
|
|
vs Philadelphia Bell
Welcome!
You are Visitor
