Broncos’ Duranko Runs Across Ex-Mate Stofa
By NEIL AMDUR
Herald Sports Writer
Sept 18, 1967
Like all of Denver's five rookie
linebackers, Pete Duranko spent Sunday learning the facts of pro football
life. For Duranko, however, education came at the expense of an ex-high school
teammate and to the benefit of a college nemesis.
Duranko, a consensus All-America at Notre
Dame last year, played on the same Johnstown, Pa. high school team as Dolphin
quarterback John Stofa. He did not learn until after Miami's 35-21 victory
that his blitzing tackle in the first quarter would send Stofa to the hospital
and pave the way for rookie Bob Griese. Every Notre Dame player of the past
three years knows Griese.
"Griese took the situation in hand
— Just like he did at Purdue," Duranko said. “I thought he'd be
a little more shaky, and we thought we could get him on the blitz. But he
has a lot of poise.
Duranko said Griese was "reading"
Denver defenses like a veteran. "You knew he was checking off (changing
plays)." Duranko said. "If I went into a blitz, they'd take a little
longer to run the play. You'd hear Griese call some kind of color or signal.
"Bob doesn't say much. He's more
of an actor. But he's quick and smart."
On the play that injured Stofa in the
first quarter, Duranko said Denver had the blitz on. "I didn't know John
was hurt when I hit him." he said. "I'd hate to be the one who put
him in that position."
Denver used four different middle linebackers
Sunday because Coach Lou Saban is "looking for leadership." Middle
linebacking is new to the 250-pound Duranko and the three weeks he spent at
All-Star camp has not helped the transition from tackle.
'"We've got some young rookies who
made mistakes today," Saban said, words reporters may hear frequently
this season. "But playing these boys is the avenue we chose. It's tough
but we'll stay with it."
Denver inexperience at linebacker showed
up noticeably on the first play of the game when Stofa flipped a soft pass
to Joe Auer in the flat and Auer went 45 yards. On the same play in the third
quarter, Auer took Griese's pitch and ran 68 yards to put Miami ahead, 21-7.
Saban withheld comment on the errant
pass coverage, but Duranko admitted Bronco linebackers were covering the wrong
men.
"Somebody forgot his assignment
for a second." Duranko said. "I guess the linebacker dropped off
to get the end. That's all it takes to beat you though,"
Saban said Griese "called a good
game" but felt deflected passes caught by Howard Twilley and Karl Noonan
were decisive. "They scored on us after both catches," Saban said.
"How does that make us look? Inexperienced.”
The Steve Tensi Mystery at quarterback
continued Sunday. Acquired earlier this year from San Diego, the former Florida
State great has spent two frustrating Sundays (0-51 to Oakland last week)
since beating Boston. Tensi threw for just 55 yards on six of 20 passes.
"I haven't been throwing well at
all." Tensi said afterward. "It's not my arm. My arm feels fine.
A lot of it has to do with timing. It seems I'm getting the ball out late.
I had good protection today but when you're not throwing well, it's tough
to do anything right."
Tensi said Denver changed offensive tactics
in the third quarter by utilizing two tight ends and concentrating on a running
game. "We weren't moving well in the air," he said. "But the
offensive line did a great job."
So did Syracuse rookie Floyd Little.
Little returned five kickoffs for 185 yards and led the blocking for another
rookie, Bo Hickey.
Hickey left Maryland after a fine sophomore
season and played minor league ball before earning a tryout from Saban, another
Maryland expatriate. He gained 42 yards in seven carries and scored two touchdowns.
"Bo did a great job," Little
said. "I was satisfied with my blocking but my running hasn't been up
to par the past few weeks. I think I was more concerned with blocking today
and Bo was following me through real well."
Hickey, a 225-pound fullback, is not
even listed among the eight fullbacks in the Broncos' brochure. But an injury
to Cookie Gilchrist and Saban's rookie experiment won Hickey a look, which
may warrant starting status.
"Hickey looked good," Saban
said. "So did most of the rookies. We just broke down in coverage a couple
of times. Our own silly mistakes beat us. That's inexperience, but somewhere
these kids are going to get together. When that happens, we're going to win."