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Birmingham Vulcans Saturday, August 30th, 1975 Attendance 18,500 Legion Field Birmingham
Birmingham broke a two-game losing streak to defeat the Shreveport Steamer 21-8 in an unspectacular manner that left all in attendance satisfied with the result. Birmingham never let the visitors from Louisiana create any suspense, taking an early lead and never letting it go. QB Matthew Reed came back from injury to guide the Vulcans, steering the attack well, but Willie Burkes, Bob Brown, and Dennis Homan all sustained injuries. Birmingham appeared to be headed for points in its opening drive, but Joe Profit fumbled at the Steamer 16. The teams exchanged possessions then Birmingham punter Rusty Jackson punted the Steamer deep in a hole, sending the ball out of bounds at the seven. Shreveport QB Edd Hargett threw too close to Vulcans cornerback Gerard Williams and he picked it off at the Vulcans 30. Reed hit Nate Fergerson on third down for 54 yards to the visitors 20. There the drive stalled and Ron Slovensky converted a 37-yard field goal to give Birmingham the early lead 3-0.Early in the second quarter, Vulcans safety Larry Willingham recovered a Steamer fumble at the Vulcans 40. Reed then directed a 13-play drive that covered 60 yards, all on the ground. Reed scored from one yard out, and, though the action point was incomplete, the Vulcans now led 10-0 with 8:55 remaining until halftime. Shreveport could generate no offense against the stingy Birmingham defense, and the home team had the ball again. Reed quickly moved the offense down the field with passes to TE Ted Powell for 24 and 14 yards, plus a 13- yarded to RB Art Cantrelle. The Streamer defense stiffened, so Slovensky kicked another field goal with 49 seconds to play in the first half. 13-0 Vulcans.The third quarter was a back and forth scene between the two teams, before Shreveport finally got on the board. After returning a punt to the 48 yard line, the Steamer scored in one play. Hargett threw to Ricky Scales who went 52 yards doen the sideline to score. Virgil Robinson ran the AP in, bringing the Steamer closer, 13-8. The Vulcans then mounted a 65-yard drive, mostly on the ground. Profit, Cantrelle, and Johnny Musso were the workhorses with a 28-yard pass to TE Bob Brown mixed in. Brown was taken down hard at the five-yard line, but his helmet continued to roll down the field after the play. Brown was knocked cold on the play and stayed down for several minutes before being removed from the field on a stretcher and to the hospital. Afterwards Cantrelle ran to the one and Musso carried it in for the TD. Reed passed to Cantrelle for the AP, 21-8, Vulcans ahead for good.Shreveport tried to fight back, but Williams intercepted Hargett in the end zone, then later Willingham grabbed another interception. Each time the Vulcans couldn’t move the ball, but chewed up the clock. Shreveport even blocked a Jackson punt late in the game, but still couldn’t get by the Vulcans stop troops. Reed & Co. ran out the remaining three minutes of the game and went into the dressing room a winner. Coach Marvin Bass had praise for Profit, Cantrelle, and Musso for their game running the ball, along with Harry Gooden, Larry Estes, and Bob Tatarek as well for their defensive line play, helping to keep Shreveport RB Jim Nance in check all night. Williams and Willingham led the secondary.
Johnny Musso helps the refs signals Matthew Reed’s TD
Dennis Homan with a third down catch
Center John Matlock anchored the offensive line all evening
Bob Tatarek & Harry Gooden hem in Steamer RB Jim Nance
Bob Brown loses his helmet after going down hard
Johnny Musso picks up big yardage
Ron Slovensky converts on one of his two field goals
Musso can block too, as a Steamer defender finds out
Bob Tatarek pressures Steamer QB Edd Hargett
Jim Kregel leads to way for a Birmingham running back
Steamer DB and Birmingham native Richmond Flowers blocks Rusty Jackson’s punt in the 4th quarter
Final score 21-8
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