Sunday is the 40th anniversary of the final regular season game of 1972. I remember it well, particularly the frustrating end to the fourth quarter. You would think the fans would have been elated to complete a perfect regular season but that was hardly the feeling in the Orange Bowl as the game ended. We never doubted we would win. Baltimore was weak that year, by far their worst season in memory. But they were surprisingly tough in the finale, particularly on defense.
Miami spent the fourth quarter determined to get 1000 yards for Mercury Morris, which would mean the first team with two 1000 yard backs in the same season. Csonka was already there. Rick Weaver provided the countdown on WIOD. You could hear those pocket radios everywhere in the stands. Frustration mounted in Weaver's voice and throughout the Orange Bowl as the Colts shut down one Morris rush after another. We'd pitch it to him and the Colts swarmed to the ball, stuffing the play for virtually nothing. Frankly, it was difficult to believe. Everything broke positively for the Dolphins in 1972 and 1973 with very rare exception. This was one of them.
Morris ended up with a then-career high 26 rushing attempts. Only one time in his career did he match or surpass that 26 attempts. But against the Colts he managed barely 3 yards per carry, and he finished 8 yards shy of 1000. I'll never forget the down mood as everyone filtered out of the stadium.
Then days later the NFL discovered 8 missing yards from an earlier game, pushing Morris to exactly 1000. Those missing yards were mocked by fans and media alike. One wag found hundreds of yards needed by a different running back. But I tell you what, it was legit. The play in question was a major screw up by the statistical crew. It was obvious at the time. Earl Morrall threw a quick pass to the left that only traveled a foot or so before being swatted by a defensive lineman. The ball ricocheted deep into the backfield, where Morris alertly fell on it. This was in the Orange Bowl, I believe against Buffalo. Everyone in the crowd howled at the call, wondering how the referees missed that it rightfully was an incomplete forward pass, not a lateral. At the time we were livid at the 8 yard loss but it came in handy at season's end.
That was the first major statistical change I can think of, long after the fact.
Thank you for that. Boy, that there is what I am talking about our history and pride our fans have. Yes, the current team and franchise is not what it was was but, we can BUILD it back up to that once again. Thanks for sharing. GO DOLPHINS!!!!