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1968 Buffalo Bills season

9th season in franchise history

9th season in franchise history

FieldValue
teamBuffalo Bills
year1968
record1–12–1
division_place5th AFL Eastern
coachJoe Collier and Harvey Johnson
ownerRalph Wilson
stadiumWar Memorial Stadium
playoffsDid not qualify
shortnavlinkBills seasons

The 1968 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s ninth season.

The Bills' 1–12–1 record in 1968 (a 0.107 winning percentage) is the second-worst in team history: the 1971 Bills went 1–13. They were one of only two teams in AFL history (the other being the 1962 Oakland Raiders) to finish the season with only one victory.

The Bills, coming off a 4–10 season in 1967, fired coach Joe Collier after an 0–2 start in 1968. Defensive backfield coach Harvey Johnson was promoted to interim head coach, where he went 1–10–1 to finish the year.

With the release of running back Wray Carlton, wide receiver Elbert Dubenion was the last player from the Bills' original roster in 1960 to still be with the team.

The majority of Buffalo's games were started by backup quarterback Dan Darragh, after injuries claimed the seasons of long-time starter Jack Kemp and new addition Tom Flores. Even Darragh and new addition Kay Stephenson were injured. Ultimately, running back Ed Rutkowski, who hadn't played the quarterback position since college six years prior, ended up starting at quarterback for the Bills.

Buffalo's only win of the season was a home victory over the New York Jets, who eventually went on to win Super Bowl III. In that game, the Bills held a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter before giving up two late touchdowns to the Jets. Ultimately, the Bills were able to hold on to the two-point win. Through the 2022 season, this is the only instance in which a team that had only 1 win have that win come against the eventual Super Bowl champion.

Offseason

  • August 24: Bills sign fullback Wayne Patrick.
  • August 27: Bills acquire quarterback (and future Bills head coach) Kay Stephenson from the San Diego Chargers for a Fifth Round Pick.
  • August 28: Bills acquire fullback Bob Cappadona from the Boston Patriots for a ninth round draft pick.
  • September 2: The Bills cut running backs Wray Carlton, wide receiver Ed Rutkowski (who would return later in the season as a quarterback), tight end Charley Ferguson and defensive tackle Dudley Meredith.

AFL draft

Personnel

Coaches/Staff

1968 Buffalo Bills staff
  • Source: https://pro-football-history.com/franchise/7/buffalo-bills-coaches

Final roster

  • Elbert Dubenion WR (Retired) [[Image:Injury icon.svg|7px]]

Preseason

Buffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"WeekBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"DateBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"OpponentBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"ResultBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"RecordBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"VenueBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"Recap12345
August 5Detroit LionsW 13–91–0War Memorial StadiumRecap
August 11Miami DolphinsT 28–281–0–1War Memorial StadiumRecap
August 17Cincinnati BengalsL 6–101–1–1Nippert StadiumRecap
August 23Houston OilersL 7–371–2–1AstrodomeRecap
August 30Cleveland BrownsL 12–221–3–1War Memorial StadiumRecap

Regular season

Schedule

Buffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"WeekBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"DateBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"OpponentBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"ResultBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"RecordBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"VenueBuffalo Billsyear=1968border=2}}"Recap1234567891011121314
September 8Boston PatriotsL 7–160–1War Memorial StadiumRecap
September 15Oakland RaidersL 6–480–2War Memorial StadiumRecap
September 22at Cincinnati BengalsL 23–340–3Nippert StadiumRecap
September 29New York JetsW 37–351–3War Memorial StadiumRecap
October 5Kansas City ChiefsL 7–181–4War Memorial StadiumRecap
October 12at Miami DolphinsT 14–141–4–1Miami Orange BowlRecap
October 20at Boston PatriotsL 6–231–5–1Fenway ParkRecap
October 27Houston OilersL 7–301–6–1War Memorial StadiumRecap
November 3at New York JetsL 21–251–7–1Shea StadiumRecap
November 10Miami DolphinsL 17–231–8–1War Memorial StadiumRecap
November 17San Diego ChargersL 6–211–9–1War Memorial StadiumRecap
November 24at Denver BroncosL 32–341–10–1Mile High StadiumRecap
November 28at Oakland RaidersL 10-131–11–1Oakland-Alameda County ColiseumRecap
December 7at Houston OilersL 6–351–12–1AstrodomeRecap

Standings

Game summaries

Week 12 vs. Raiders

;Bills

  • Ed Rutkowski 10/25, 160 Yds, 2 INT
  • Max Anderson 11 Rush, 60 Yds, TD 2 Rec, 31 Yds ;Raiders
  • Daryle Lamonica 12/32, 145 Yds, INT
  • Charlie Smith 12 Rush, 54 Yds
  • Warren Wells 3 Rec, 61 Yds

Thanksgiving Day

Awards and Records

  • Bob Kalsu, Team Rookie of the Year

References

References

  1. Johnson would be promoted to head coach again before the [[1971 Buffalo Bills season. 1971 season]]
  2. Johnson resumed his defensive coaching duties under [[John Rauch]] in [[1969 Buffalo Bills season. 1969]], but would later be promoted to head coach again for one year in 1971.
  3. [Neft, David S.; Cohen, Richard M.; and Korch, Rich [https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/0312110731/soft-cover/ The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Football, 12th Edition], p.144, Martin's Press, August 1994, {{ISBN. 0-312-11073-1
  4. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196809290buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference: New York Jets 35 at Buffalo Bills 37, Sunday, September 29, 1968]
  5. Rockin’ the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, p.392, Jeffrey J. Miller, ECW Press, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-55022-797-0
  6. Rockin’ the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, p.393, Jeffrey J. Miller, ECW Press, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-55022-797-0
  7. Rockin’ the Rockpile: The Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, p.513, Jeffrey J. Miller, ECW Press, 2007, {{ISBN. 978-1-55022-797-0
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