Today in Bills stadium history: Oct. 29

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. 29

1973 — Bills 23, Chiefs 14 — In the first Monday Night Football game ever played at One Bills Drive, O.J. Simpson flashed his star power with 157 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Simpson set an NFL record carrying the ball 39 times and went over 1,000 yards in the seventh game of the season. Howard Cossell proclaimed O.J. “the most powerful offensive force in football today,” on the MNF broadcast. His two TD runs in the first quarter were set up by Bills linebacker Jim Cheyunski forcing Chiefs QB Len Dawson into a couple turnovers. Fullback Larry Watkins added 81 yards rushing as the Bills ran the ball on 65 of 77 offensive plays. John Leypoldt kicked three field goals in the third quarter and Buffalo improved to 5-2 before losing the next three games.

1989 — Bills 31, Dolphins 17 — Setting an attendance record with 80,280 crowded into Rich Stadium, the Bills won their third game in a row with Frank Reich at quarterback to take command of the AFC East with a 6-2 record at midseason. Thurman Thomas scampered for 169 yards from scrimmage with a rushing touchdown, and fullback Larry Kinnebrew had 121 yards on a day the Bills ran the ball on 51 of 60 snaps. Reich was 6 of 9 passing for 123 yards with a 63-yard TD pass to rookie speedster Don Beebe. Buffalo defenders Jeff Wright and Cornelius Bennett sacked Dan Marino, breaking a streak of 19 games Miami’s star quarterback hadn’t been taken down. Kirby Jackson had two intercepts, and Bennett also picked off Marino. 

2000 — Bills 23, Jets 20 — New millennium mediocrity was settling in for the Bills coming into this game with a losing record and 0-3 against division opponents. The Jets (6-2) were leading the AFC East following their Monday Night Miracle comeback win agains the Dolphins. After throwing away an early advantage, Doug Flutie rallied the Bills (4-4) back with three field goal drives in the fourth quarter. Steve Christie had his first attempt blocked but drilled a 32-yarder as time expired to win the game. Eric Moulds had 137 yards receiving, Henry Jones returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown, Sammy Morris rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown, and Keith Newman forced a late fumble by Curtis Martin that benefitted Buffalo’s comeback. Attendance at Ralph Wilson Stadium was 72,861.

2017 — Bills 34, Raiders 14 — LeSean McCoy rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown, Tyrod Taylor was efficient passing for 165 yards and a touchdown to Andre Holmes, and Matt Milano returned a fumble 40 yards for his first career defensive touchdown as the Bills improved to 5-2 during the season that ended The Drought. Micah Hyde and Trae Elston had interceptions as the Bills took the ball away four times with no turnovers on offense. Elston also was Buffalo’s leading tackler in the only game the free safety started in his NFL career. Khalil Mack had a quiet day with two tackles and one quarterback hit in the Raiders All-Pro defender’s first game at the stadium since playing for University at Buffalo. Attendance at New Era Field was 69,599.

2018 — Patriots 25, Bills 6 — A year later with journeyman Derek Anderson starting at quarterback in place of an injured Josh Allen, the Bills never reached the end zone or even the red zone to waste a strong defensive effort against Tom Brady. Holding the Patriots to four field goals through three quarters, the Bills didn’t allow a touchdown until less than 10 minutes remained. Devin McCourty then returned an interception 84 yards to put the game away. Anderson was 22 of 39 passing for 290 yards, and the Bills never got much going on the ground (47 yards rushing) while going 4 of 16 on third and fourth downs. Brady was 29 of 45 passing for 324 yards with no touchdowns. The Bills dropped to 2-6 midway through Allen’s rookie season.