Bills 23, Raiders 20 Oct 3, 1964

by Bill Choinski

BillsZone.com recalls and celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Buffalo Bills and their 1964 AFL Championship Season. Buffalo had opened the season with 3 straight home wins over AFL West division teams and wound up an unusual 4th consecutive home game against yet another AFL Western team, Al Davis’ Oakland Raiders. Back in 1964, the Raiders were far from the intimidating “Just Win , Baby” Raiders that would dominate the football landscape of the late 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. Struggling ownership, a shaky product on the field, and small crowds threatened the Raiders with mere survival. The newly expanded War Memorial Stadium would hold 36,461 Bills fans on this day- and it would be the largest crowd ever to witness the Raiders in their team’s 5 year history.

The Bills methodically moved the ball downfield on their first possession, but the drive ended with another untimely Kemp interception. Raider DB Tommy Morrow stepped in front of the Kemp pass at the 7 and raced 77 yards to the Buffalo 16. The vaunted Bills defense took over, albeit with some luck. One Oakland TD was called back due to a penalty, and another Easy TD reception was dropped by WR Billy Cannon. The Raiders had to settle for a 3-0 lead.

In the second quarter, Bills CB Booker Edgerson intercepted Raider’s QB Cotton Davidson thwarting another Raider threat at the Bills 27. Jack Kemp directed a 73 yard drive for a score just before the Half. Kemp tucked the ball away and ran it in himself from 9 yards out to give Buffalo their first lead of the game.

In the 3rd, the underdog Raiders took the lead again after a Cotton Davis 4th and goal 4 yard TD. It capped an 85 yard scoring drive that consumed 6:23. The Impatient Bills coach, Lou Saban, then substituted Daryle Lamonica for Kemp for the third consecutive game. The second year QB ignited the Bills offense on the ensuing drive. Lamonica gave the Bills a 14-10 lead on a 1 yard QB plunge capping off an 80 yard drive.

The 4th quarter saw a tough Oakland club refusing to go without a fight. The Raiders closed to within a point at 14-13 with a Mike Mercer FG. But Lamonica, building a reputation that would soon earn him the nickname “The Mad Bomber” struck on the ensuing drive. He would hit a streaking Elbert Dubenion with what would prove to be a back-breaker- a 44 yard TD strike. Then it was the Bills defense, which held Oakland to 250 yards that afternoon, who would salt the game away. On the ensuing drive, Ron McDole sacked Cotton Davidson in the endzone for a Safety, and a 23-13 lead.

The Raiders made the game close in the final 2:37. Buffalo Kicker Pete Gogolak’s 45 yard attempt was blocked by Raider DE Big Ben Davidson setting up a 4 yard TD reception by Jan Barrett. Oakland’s defense forced a Buffalo punt in the dying minute of the game. The Raiders would reach the Buffalo 37 but without time outs left, were unable to set up the tying FG by Mercer. Buiffalo would hang on for the 23-20 win.

Cookie Gilchrist was the Bills workhorse in the game, Gaining 178 total yards, 91 on the ground and 87 through the air. Kemp and Lamonica would combine for 299 yards passing. Coach Lou Saban was left with a QB controversy on his hands. Lamonica had led 3 successful relief efforts, but Kemp still provided the veteran leadership. Buffalo’s final 10 games would be a test- as 7 of them would be on the road.

Next up- Buffalo travels to Houston to visit the Oilers