File Under: Joe Namath, Emerson Boozer, Houston Oilers, Matt Snell, Don Trull, Bob Davis, Astrodome
10/21 — This is the sixth in a series of Radar entries on the 16 games of the Jets' 1968 Super Bowl III season:
Sunday, Oct. 20, 1968
Astrodome, Houston, Texas (51,710)
A late drive, climaxed by Matt Snell’s scoring plunge, carried the Jets to victory. Oilers reserve QB Don Trull had drilled a pair of touchdown passes in the final period, with his 19-yard strike to rookie WR Jim Beirne giving them a 14-13 lead with four minutes left. Joe Namath contributed with a scoring run in the opening quarter.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot | |
| JETS (4-2) | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Houston Oilers (2-5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
| Qtr | Team | Scoring Play |
| 1 | NYJ | Safety: Paul Crane blocks punt through end zone |
| 2 | NYJ | Joe Namath 1 run (Bill Mathis pass from Babe Parilli) |
| 4 | NYJ | Jim Turner 12 FG |
| 4 | HOU | Alvin Reed 9 pass from Don Trull (Wayne Walker kick) |
| 4 | HOU | JIM BEIRNE 19 pass from Trull (Walker kick) |
| 4 | NYJ | Matt Snell 2 run (Turner kick) |
Game Trivia
■ The victory was the first of a streak of eight wins in the last nine regular-season games that carried the Jets to the AFL's Eastern Division title and into the league's penultimate championship game.
■ Second-year QB Bob Davis, before being relieved by Trull, got the start opposite Namath, three years before he started seven games behind the injured Joe Willie and Al Woodall for the Jets in 1971.
■ The Jets played their first game ever in the Astrodome. Prior to this they played the Oilers on the road at Jeppesen Stadium and Rice Stadium. The Green & White's all-time 'Dome record: 3-8.
Quote Now
RB Emerson Boozer: “It was a big win and the passing game helped us to a comeback. I can remember catching one just off the surface — right off the carpet there — to keep the drive alive, and we went and pulled the doggone thing out. It was a good ballgame and a good ballgame for us to win. We had to get on track, and we did."
Quote Then
Head coach Weeb Ewbank: “If we'd lost, I would’ve had to blame it on our beating ourselves again.”
Row Said:
Wed, October 22, 2008 - 4:56pm EDT"Randy, I hate to ask this, but is it true we lose our 1st round pick if we make the play-offs? To the bloggers... I'm starting to worry about this season, if this is Brett's final hoorah, where are we going to be without a 1st round pick and with Coles probably giving up the cleats? I have enjoyed the changes so far, but is this the best we can be? Anyone have any presumptions?"
Randy Lange Said:
"Row, I don't have any info on the terms of the Brett Favre trade, although I'm sure there have been reports by Jets and Packers beat writers about what the compensation would be."
Drew Said:
Wed, October 22, 2008 - 5:37pm EDT"Row....From what I read we give up a 1st rounder only if we make the SB not the playoffs. I think we give up a 2nd or 3rd if we make the playoffs I forget which.....We need team to pull together ASAP or this is going to be a frustrating season. Finishing 8-8 is a nightmare with this roster of veterans. Favre probaly done and a less than spectacular Clemens in the bullpen for 09? Scary!!"
uncle joe Said:
Thu, October 23, 2008 - 6:47am EDT"Row,if we make the playoffs they get a 2 just like Drew said,we make the Supe they get a 1.If he dont play next year we get a 4 from them which has been our #1 for like 4 years straight anyway.Coles will play next year because he gets about 7 mil.He's damaged and a complainer so let him go.Stuckey,Wright,Clowney,Smith,and Marcus Henry,plus Keller,I think we'll be alright.Ratliff will beat Clemens."
jet jeff Said:
Tue, October 21, 2008 - 8:15pm EDT"I am really disapointed in our defense , I have watched every game and we cant stop anybody , why did we get rid of vilma it would seem harris and him would have helprd"
Offensive Comment?