Today in Bills stadium history: Oct. 19

In the sunset season for the concrete cathedral so often overflowed with as many as 80,000 passionate patrons, WIVB News 4 Buffalo is taking a daily look back over 400 games played in the Orchard Park stadium’s 52 years.

Oct. 19

1986 — Buffalo 24, Indianapolis 13 — Jim Kelly threw for 252 yards with a pair of touchdown passes to Andre Reed as Buffalo beat a winless opponent for its second victory of the ’86 season following five losses in the six weeks. “I didn’t want anybody saying a 1-6 Buffalo Bills team, what’s Jim Kelly doing,” the quarterback said in approaching halftime of his first NFL season. Kelly had missed a practice earlier in the week due to a sore arm and completed just 2 of his first 9 passes. Defensive back Rodney Bellinger scored the Bills’ first touchdown on a 15-yard fumble return. Ronnie Harmon had 101 scrimmage yards (86 rushing) and Chris Burkett led the Bills with 76 yards receiving. Attendance at Rich Stadium was 50,050.

2003 — Buffalo 24, Washington 7 — The crowd was 73,149 for Bruce Smith's return as a visiting player on a day former teammate Darryl Talley’s name went up on the stadium’s Wall of Fame. Travis Henry had 167 yards rushing with two touchdowns, Josh Reed (no relation to WIVB’s sports director) added 109 yards receiving and caught a touchdown pass from Drew Bledsoe (244 yards), and the Bills improved to 4-3 on the season. Former Bills QB Rob Johnson came on in relief and was sacked by Aaron Schobel on his second dropback. The Bills totaled 432 yards while allowing only 169. Washington coach by Steve Spurrier's offense gained eight first downs, and Buffalo possessed the ball for more than 35 minutes. 

2008 — Buffalo 23, San Diego 14 — A game most remembered for what stopped happening due to a power outage in the first half. Ralph Wilson Stadium’s lights, scoreboard, sound system and game clock went down for the crowd of 71,602, along with broadcast television coverage. John Murphy’s radio commentary continued, and fans listened as Trent Edwards completed 25 of 30 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown to Lee Evans (89 yards receiving), Marshawn Lynch had 92 scrimmage yards (70 rushing) and a scoring run, linebacker Kawicka Mitchell forced a late fumble on Philip Rivers after intercepting the Chargers quarterback earlier in the game, and the Bills improved to 5-1 for the first time in 16 years. Dick Jauron’s team would go on to lose eight of the final 10 games.

2014 — Buffalo 17, Minnesota 16 — Kyle Orton passed for 283 yards and two touchdowns to Sammy Watkins, the last one coming with 1 second left on the clock lifting the Bills to a 4-3 record. Watkins finished with 122 yards on nine receptions, a breakout game for the rookie receiver. Orton led the Bills on a 15-play, 80-minute winning drive starting with less than three minutes to play. Watkins caught three passes for 39 yards on the last series. Leodis McKelvin made two interceptions and Marcell Dareus had two of Buffalo’s five sacks. The Bills overcame four turnovers, six sacks and eight penalties in the victory. Attendance was 68,477. 

2020 — Kansas City 26, Buffalo 17 — In the early days of this modern rivalry, the Chiefs controlled the Monday night matchup, outgaining the Bills 466 to 206 and possessing the ball nearly 38 minutes. Patrick Mahomes accounted for 257 yards with a pair of touchdown passes to Travis Kelce, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown. Josh Allen produced 164 yards with touchdown passes to Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley, and Buffalo’s running game never got going. The 4-2 Bills would win 11 of their next 12 games including playoffs, but this loss to the 5-1 Chiefs cost them home-field for the AFC championship game rematch.