buffalobills.com

September 1, 1971 -- BILLS TALK WITH NEW YORK ABOUT MOVE TO YANKEE STADIUM
A Newsweek story reported the Bills had begun talking with New York Mayor John Lindsay about moving the Bills to Yankee Stadium because the Giants had announced their intentions to move to New Jersey in 1975. Speculation arose because of Buffalo's ongoing difficulties in building a new county stadium.

September 1, 1975 -- BILLS WIN LABOR DAY SPECIAL
In a Labor Day special, the Bills ripped Cleveland at Municipal Stadium, 34-20, as Joe Ferguson reclaimed his position as the undisputed No. 1 quarterback with 174 passing yards.

September 1, 1977 - MARANGI RETURNS TO BILLS
QB Gary Marangi failed his physical, so his trade to the Green Bay Packers was voided and he returned to camp at Niagara University.

September 1, 1980 - DELAMIELLEURE TRADED TO CLEVELAND
After trying to trade him for four months, Chuck Knox completed a deal for Joe DeLamielleure. The veteran guard was shipped to Cleveland for two draft choices.

September 1, 1991 -- BILLS PILE UP TEAM RECORD 583 YARDS
The Bills opened the season with an exciting 35-31 win over Miami, their ninth win over the Dolphins in the last ten meetings. Buffalo set a team record for total offense (583 yards), and Jim Kelly set a regular-season career-high with 381 passing yards.

September 1, 1992 -- SEALS TRADED TO EAGLES
Leon Seals was traded to Philadelphia for a 1993 draft choice, meaning that Phil Hansen would be the starting left defensive end.

September 2, 1968 -- ALL-TIME RUSHER RELEASED
RB Wray Carlton, Buffalo's all-time leading rusher, was released by the Bills.

September 2, 1979 -- BILLS LOSE 19th STRAIGHT TO DOLPHINS
Tom Dempsey missed a 34-yard field goal on the final play, preventing the Bills from beating Miami. The Dolphins escaped with their 19th straight victory over the Bills, 9-7, in front of 69,441 at rain-soaked Rich Stadium, which was deluged by a storm in the fourth quarter.

September 2, 1988 -- BRUCE SMITH SUSPENDED
Bruce Smith was suspended for 30 days by the NFL, missing the first four games of the season.

September 3, 1973 -- STRATTON TRADED TO SAN DIEGO
Mike Stratton, an 11-year member of the Bills, was traded to San Diego for a draft choice.

September 3, 2000 - BILLS DEFEAT TITANS IN OPENER
The Bills exerted a small amount of revenge for their 1999 playoff defeat with a 16-13 win over the Tennessee Titans in the season opener at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

September 4, 1959 -- RALPH C. WILSON, JR. JOINS AFL OWNERS
Detroit businessman Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. expressed interest in owning an AFL franchise in Miami, Fla.

September 4, 1971 -- FIRST ROUND PICK HURT IN PRESEASON GAME
The Bills defeated the Detroit Lions, 31-17, as Dennis Shaw passed for 234 yards. No. 1 draft choice J.D. Hill suffered a knee injury. He underwent surgery a few days later and was not expected back until late in the season.

September 4, 1985 -- McGRODER JOINS WALL OF FAME
The Bills announced that Patrick McGroder would join O.J. Simpson and Jack Kemp on the Wall of Fame. The team also said rookies Andre Reed and Bruce Smith would start the season opener against San Diego, as would QB Vince Ferragamo.

September 4, 1988 -- THOMAS IMPRESSIVE IN NFL DEBUT
Thurman Thomas rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut, as the Bills beat the Vikings 13-10 at Rich Stadium for their first season-opening victory since 1982.

September 5, 1993 -- BILLS BEAT PARCELLS AND BLEDSOE IN OPENER
The Bills opened the regular-season at home with a 38-14 victory over New England in Bill Parcells' first game as Patriots head coach and rookie Drew Bledsoe's first start.

September 6, 1969 -- PRESEASON OVER WITH HORRIBLE LOSS
The Bills ended their preseason with a horrible 50-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at the L.A. Coliseum. O.J. Simpson's return to the Coliseum did not go well as he got 20 yards on seven carries.

September 6, 1974 -- BILLS GO TO OVERTIME FOR FIRST TIME IN TEAM HISTORY
The Bills ended the longest preseason game in team history when Wayne Mosley's 4-yard TD run 8:14 into overtime beat the N.Y. Giants 23-17 at Rich Stadium. It was the first overtime game in team history.

September 6, 1992 -- LOFTON PASSES LARGENT IN RECEIVING YARDS
In a season opening 40-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams, James Lofton became the NFL leader in receiving yards, breaking Steve Largent's record of 13,089 yards.

September 7, 1970 -- RAUCH CUTS VETERANS BEFORE SEASON STARTS
John Rauch took a deep cut out of the Bills' past as he cut veterans Al Bemiller, George Saimes and Harry Jacobs. Bemiller had started every game since 1961, a streak of 173; Saimes and Jacobs had been starters since 1963.

September 7, 1977 -- LONG HOLDOUT ENDS
Neil O'Donoghue ended one of the longest holdous in team history by signing a three-year contract.

September 7, 1980 -- STREAK ENDS AS BILLS BEAT DOLPHINS
One of the greatest days in Bills history was enjoyed by a crowd of 79,598 at Rich Stadium as the Bills ended their 20-game losing streak to the Miami Dolphins with a 17-7 victory.

September 7, 1986 -- JIM KELLY ERA BEGINS
Before a sellout crowd of 79,951 at Rich Stadium, rookie Jim Kelly threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-24 loss to the Jets.

September 7, 2003 -- BILLS OPEN SEASON WITH 31-0 ROUT OF VISITING PATRIOTS
The Bills shutout the Patriots 31-0 in the season opener at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Defensive newcomers Sam Adams, Lawyer Milloy (who had been released by the Patriots earlier that week) and Takeo Spikes sparked the win as the Bills posted a 21-0 halftime lead and coasted to victory.

September 8, 1963 -- OLD TEAM HAUNTS KEMP
Quarterback Jack Kemp threw three interceptions against the San Diego Chargers in San Diego as the Bills lost, 14-10.

September 8, 1964 -- MILLER TRADED TO OAKLAND
Wide receiver Bill Miller, who set a team record with 69 receptions in 1963, was traded to the Oakland Raiders for a draft choice.

September 8, 1969 -- VETERAN DEFENSIVE PLAYERS CUT
The Bills released veteran linebacker Marty Schottenheimer and defensive end Tom Day.

September 8, 1975 - NFL DRAFT RULED ILLEGAL
A federal judge in Washington ruled that the NFL's college draft was illegal because it violated anti-trust laws. The NFL promised an appeal.

September 8, 1991 - BILLS PILE 52 POINTS ON STEELERS
The Bills notched their second-highest scoring output ever in a 52-34 rout of Pittsburgh at Rich Stadium. Jim Kelly set team records with six touchdown passes, including four to Don Beebe, and 31 completions.

September 8, 1998 - THE BROWNS ARE BACK
The NFL announced that it would be returning to Cleveland in 1999 when the new Browns would begin play as an expansion team.

September 8, 2001 - ANDRE REED RETURNS, RETIRES
WR Andre Reed signed a one-day contract and retired as a member of the Buffalo Bills.

September 8, 2002 -- BILLS LOSE TO JETS ON OVERTIME KICKOFF RETURN
The Bills lost a heart-breaking 37-31 season opener to the visiting NY Jets when Chad Morton returned the overtime kickoff all the way for a TD. It was Morton's second KO return for a TD in the game.

September 9, 1962 -- BILLS FANS SET A RECORD
A War Memorial Stadium record crowd of 31,236; saw the Bills lose to the Houston Oilers 28-23.

September 9, 1979 -- HOOKS SCORES FOUR TD'S ON FIVE CARRIES
Roland Hooks carried only five times, but scored four touchdowns as the Bills routed Cincinnati, 51-24, at Rich Stadium. Jerry Butler enjoyed his first 100-yard day.

September 9, 1990 -- BILLS SCORE 1,000th TOUCHDOWN
Butch Rolle's touchdown reception was the Bills 1,000th TD in team history. Buffalo won the opener 26-10 over Indianapolis at Rich Stadium.

September 10, 1961 -- HALFBACK OPTION PASS HURTS BILLS TWICE
Buffalo loses the season opener 22-10, as two halfback-option passes were completed for touchdowns. Gene Mingo completed the passes that were the key to Denver's victory.

September 10, 1967 -- GREATEST COMEBACK BY BILLS IN THE 1960s
Buffalo rallied for 20 fourth quarter points to upset the N.Y. Jets, 20-17, in front of a War Memorial Stadium record crowd of 45,748.

September 10, 1978 -- MISSED EXTRA POINT LOSES GAME
Tom Dempsey's missed extra point proved to be the difference as the Bills lost to the Jets, 21-20, at Rich Stadium.

September 10, 1995 -- DISAPPOINTING RETURN FOR REICH
Jim Kelly had one of the worst games of his career, going just 4-for-21 passing with three interceptions, against the expansion Carolina Panthers. Former Bills QB Frank Reich, who was making his return as the Panthers' starter, was equally bad in a 31-9 Buffalo victory.

September 11, 1960 -- FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME
Bills lose their first regular season game to the New York Titans 27-3, at the Polo Grounds in New York.

September 11, 1965 -- RECORD CROWD AT OPENER
In front of a record crowd of 45,502 at War Memorial Stadium in the regular-season opener, the Bills defeated the Boston Patriots 24-7. Buffalo's defense held the Patriots to 215 total yards.

September 11, 1966 -- 21-POINT FIRST QUARTER DEFICIT TOO MUCH FOR BILLS
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Bills 42-20, on the strength of a 21-point first quarter and a 79-yard punt return by Mike Garrett. Ed Rutkowski had a 73-yard punt return, the longest in Bills history.

September 11, 2001 -- AMERICA ATTACKED
In the worst terrorist attacks ever on U.S. soil, hijacked commercial airplanes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, destroying the World Trade Center. The NFL cancelled all games scheduled for the following Sunday, including the Bills' contest at Miami.

September 11, 2005 -- LOSMAN MAKES IMPRESSIVE DEBUT
Making his first start with the Bills, QB J.P. Losman looked impressive in a 22-7 season-opening win over the Houston Texans at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

September 12, 1975 -- BILLS LOSE STAR FOR SEASON
The preseason schedule mercifully came to an end, but not before another star player was felled by a knee injury. Wide receiver Ahmad Rashad was lost for the year during the Bills 9-7 loss to Kansas City at Rich Stadium.

September 12, 1976 -- O.J. RETURNS TO BUFFALO
After vowing never to play in Buffalo again, O.J. Simpson agreed to a three-year, $2.5 million contract that made him the highest-paid player in football.

September 12, 2004 -- BILLS LOSE MULARKEY'S DEBUT
In Mike Mularkey's debut as head coach, the Bills lost 13-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Byron Leftwich's TD pass to Ernest Wilfork on the last play of the game.

September 13, 1964 -- BILLS WIN HOME OPENER FOR FIRST TIME
The Bills won their first season opening game, 34-17 over Kansas City. The Bills scored a team-record (for points in a quarter) with 31.

September 13, 1976 -- BILLS LOSE MONDAY NIGHT OPENER
O.J. Simpson played sparingly as the Bills opened their season on Monday Night Football with a 30-21 loss to Miami before 77,683 at Rich Stadium. The Dolphins beat the Bills for the 13th straight time; Simpson gained 28 yards on five carries and caught a 43-yard pass. John Leypoldt missed three field goals.

September 13, 1992 -- NFL RECORD, NO-PUNT GAME
In a wild shootout the Bills defeated the 49ers 34-31 at Candlestick Park. For the first time in NFL history, there were no punts attempted in a game.

September 14, 1969 -- SUPER BOWL CHAMPS SPOIL DEBUT
Super Bowl III Champion N.Y. Jets spoiled O.J. Simpson's professional football debut, 33-17, in front of a record crowd of 46,165 at War Memorial Stadium. Simpson had 35 yards rushing and 64 receiving yards.

September 14, 1972 -- NFL BLACKOUT RULE ADOPTED
Congress adopted experimental legislation (for three years) requiring any NFL game that had been sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff be made available for local television broadcast.

September 14, 1976 -- BILLS WAIVE ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER
After missing three field goals in the opener, John Leypoldt, the Bills all-time leading scorer, was waived and Benny Ricardo was signed.

September 14, 1978 -- BILLS TURN L.A. DOWN
It was revealed that the Bills turned down an offer to move to the Los Angeles Coliseum, which would be left vacant when the Rams moved to Anaheim in 1980.

September 14, 1980 -- SIMPSON BECOMES FIRST MEMBER OF WALL OF FAME
O.J. Simpson became the first member of the Bills Wall of Fame. Buffalo defeated the Jets 20-10.

September 14, 1986 -- BILLS BLOW 10-POINT LEAD, LOSE IN OVERTIME
The Bills blew a 10-point lead in the final 5:19 and lost to Cincinnati 36-33 on Jim Breech's 20-yard field goal in overtime.

September 15, 1962 -- BILLS USE CAMERAS TO DETERMINE FORMATIONS
The Bills used a still camera to take a look at opponent formations for the first time. Buffalo lost the game, which was played at War Memorial Stadium, 23-20, to the Denver Broncos.

September 15, 1963 -- WINLESS ON THE WEST COAST
The Bills went winless on the West Coast in one season for the first time as they lost to the Oakland Raiders, 35-17.

September 15, 1968 -- OAKLAND DEALS BILLS WORST LOSS EVER
The Oakland Raiders dealt the Buffalo Bills the worst loss in team history, 48-6. Oakland's George Atkinson set an AFL record of 205 yards on five punt returns.

September 15, 1968 -- COLLIER REPLACED BY HARVEY JOHNSON
Joe Collier was relieved of coaching duties after the Bills lost their second game of the season to Oakland, 48-6. Harvey Johnson, Bills personnel director, was named interim head coach. Collier's career record with the Bills was 13-17-1.

September 15, 1982 -- PLAYERS AGREE TO GO ON STRIKE
Barring a last-minute breakthrough in negotiations over the weekend, the NFL players decided they would go on strike on Tuesday, September 21.

September 15, 2002 -- BLEDSOE SETS PASSING RECORD
In a thrilling 45-39 overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome, Drew Bledsoe set a team record for passing yards in a game with 463 yards as he completed three TD passes, including a 48-yard strike to Peerless Price for the winning TD.

September 16, 1968 -- SMITH RESIGNS
Buffalo offensive line coach Jerry Smith resigned because he had hoped to become head coach of the Bills and was not selected.

September 16, 1973 -- O.J SETS NEW RUSHING RECORD
O.J. Simpson set a new NFL record for rushing yards in a single game, totaling 250 on 29 carries as the Bills set a team record of 360 rushing yards and routed New England, 31-13, in the season opener at Schaefer Stadium.

September 16, 1974 -- MONDAY NIGHT THRILLER
In their second Monday Night Football appearance, the Bills stunned the Oakland Raiders, 21-20, in one of the most exciting games in team history. Ahmad Rashad caught two TD passes in the final two minutes to give the Bills the victory.

September 16, 1982 -- BILLS COME BACK TO BEAT VIKINGS
In a special Thursday night match-up on ABC the Bills overcame a 19-0 first half deficit to beat the Vikings 32-22 at Rich Stadium. It was the team's first victory over Minnesota.

September 16, 1985 -- DELAMIELLEURE AND PRUITT CLAIMED OFF WAIVERS
The Bills claimed former Bills star Joe DeLamielleure and fullback Mike Pruitt from Cleveland.

September 17, 1967 -- BILLS SET RECORD & STILL LOSE
The Bills set a War Memorial Stadium record by holding the Houston Oilers to only nine first downs. They also held Houston to 26 net passing yards. The Bills still lost the game, 20-3.

September 17, 1968 -- BASS CONTROLS THE LINE
Head Coach Harvey Johnson hired Marvin Bass as the Bills' new offensive line coach.. Bob Celeri became assistant receivers coach. The rest of the coaching staff remained the same.

September 17, 1971 -- GILCHRIST FIRST MEMBER OF BILLS HALL OF FAME
Cookie Gilchrist became the first member inducted into the new Bills Hall of Fame.

September 17, 1972 -- BILLS LOSE FINAL OPENER AT WAR MEMORIAL
The Bills regular-season opener, the final one at War Memorial Stadium, was spoiled by the Jets, 41-24, even though Joe Namath completed only five passes.

September 18, 1960 -- FIRST HOME GAME
Denver prevailed, 27-21, in Bills' regular season home opener before 15,229 at War Memorial Stadium.

September 18, 1966 -- NUMEROUS FRANCHISE RECORDS SET IN BILLS VICTORY
The Bills crushed the Miami Dolphins, 58-24, in the first meeting ever between the two teams. Buffalo set scoring and margin of victory records in the game. Booth Lusteg also set a record for most point-after touchdowns in one game with seven.

September 18, 1977 -- BILLS LOSE 15th STRAIGHT TO MIAMI IN OPENER
The Bills opened the regular season in front of 76,097 rain-soaked fans at Rich Stadium and were shutout by Miami, 13-0, the Dolphins' 15th straight victory in the series.

September 18, 1994 -- BILLS KICK THEIR WAY TO VICTORY
Buffalo defeated the Houston Oilers 15-7 on the leg of Steve Christie who kicked a career high five field goals in the game providing all of the Bills scoring.

September 19, 1961 -- BILLS SIGN NEW QB
The Bills sign quarterback M.C. Reynolds to a free agent contract.

September 19, 1965 -- COOKIE CRUMBLES AGAINST BILLS
Former Bills running back Cookie Gilchrist was held to 26 yards on 12 carries, as the Bills beat the visiting Denver Broncos 30-15.

September 19, 1971 -- BILLS FALL TO COWBOYS IN THRILLER
The Bills lost the defending NFC champion Dallas Cowboys in a 49-37 thriller in the season opener at War Memorial Stadium.

September 19, 1999 -- BILLS OPEN RENOVATED RALPH WITH WIN
The Bills beat the Jets 17-3 in the first regular season at the newly renovated and renamed Ralph Wilson Stadium.

September 20, 1964 -- LAMONICA REPLACES KEMP IN VICTORY
The Bills defeated the Denver Broncos, 30-13 as Daryle Lamonica replaced the ineffective Jack Kemp and revved up the running game in the second half.

September 20, 1970 -- BILLS LOSE INAUGURAL NFL GAME
In front of the smallest opening-day crowd (34,882) at War Memorial since 1964, the Bills lost their inaugural game in the new NFL, 25-10, to Lou Saban's Denver Broncos.

September 21, 1975 -- O.J. CRUSHES JETS IN OPENER
The Bills crushed the Jets, 42-14, in the season opener before 77,895 at Rich Stadium. O.J. Simpson rushed for 173 yards and he had 71 yards in runs called back due to penalties.

September 21, 1978 -- FORMER BILL JOHN TRACEY DIES
Former Bills linebacker John Tracey died after a short illness in New Jersey.

September 21, 1986 -- KELLY GETS FIRST VICTORY AS A BILL
The Bills ended their eight-game regular season losing streak and Jim Kelly got his first career NFL victory in a 17-10 win over St. Louis at Rich Stadium.

September 21, 1987 -- PLAYERS GO ON STRIKE
The Bills reluctantly agreed to honor the players' union's plan to strike. "We don't want to strike. We're here to play football, but it seems like our backs are against the wall," Fred Smerlas said. The players officially went on strike after the Jets' 43-24 victory over the Patriots on Monday Night Football.

September 21, 1997 -- BILLS RALLY FOR SECOND LARGEST NFL COMEBACK
The Bills fell behind Indianapolis, 26-0, at Rich Stadium, and then staged an incredible comeback to take a thrilling 37-35 victory. It ranked as the second-biggest comeback in NFL regular-season history.

September 22, 1962 -- BEER CAN BARRAGE
The Bills' record fell to 0-3 as the N.Y. Titans beat the Bills at War Memorial Stadium, 17-6, bringing a shower of beer cans and boos.

September 22, 1968 -- BILLS LOSE TO BENGALS
The Bills lost, 34-23, to the expansion Cincinnati Bengals at Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

September 22, 1985 - CHAMPIONS HONORED ON 20TH ANNIVERSARY
The Bills honored the members of the 1964-65 AFL Championship teams at Rich Stadium, but they saw the Bills fall to 0-3 after a 17-14 loss to the Patriots.

September 23, 1960 -- FIRST REGULAR SEASON WIN
First regular season victory over Boston Patriots, 13-0 at Boston University's Nickerson Field.

September 23, 1969 -- DARRAGH BACK WITH BILLS
Buffalo QB Dan Darragh returned from his Army National Guard duty and QB Tom Flores was released.

September 23, 1971 -- ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE AGREES TO NEW LEASE WITH BILLS
The Erie County legislature approved a $23.5 million bond resolution to build a new 80,000 seat stadium in Orchard Park, and it also agreed to a lease with the Bills.

September 23, 1973 - STRATTON EXACTS SOME REVENGE ON BILLS
LB Mike Stratton, who was recently traded from the Bills to the San Diego Chargers, had two interceptions for San Diego in a 34-7 Charger rout of the Bills.

September 23, 1979 -- BUTLER HAS 4 TDS AND 255 RECEIVING YARDS IN WIN
Joe Ferguson set a team record with five TD passes and threw for a career-high 367 yards while Jerry Butler caught 10 passes and set team records for yards (255) and TDs (four) as the Bills routed the Jets, 46-31, at Rich Stadium. NBC broadcaster John Brodie said of Butler: "That was the best single-game performance I've ever seen from a wide receiver. I played 16 years, but I've never seen anything like that."

September 23, 1982 -- FIRST GAME CANCELLED BY STRIKE
A special Thursday night contest between Atlanta and Kansas City was the first NFL game cancelled because of the players' strike.

September 24, 1967 -- ROCKPILE PART OF AFL HISTORY
The 10 millionth fan to see an AFL game passed through the turnstiles at War Memorial Stadium.

September 24, 1967 -- AFTER 142 GAMES, A BUFFALO FIRST
After 142 games including the postseason, the Bills suffered their first shutout loss, 23-0, to the Boston Patriots.

September 24, 1972 -- O.J. DOMINATES FORMER IDOLS
O.J. Simpson, playing against "football men I idolized as a teenager," rushed for 138 yards and the Bills rallied for two touchdowns in the final 4:08 to shock San Francisco, 27-20, at War Memorial.

September 24, 1978 -- CHUCK KNOX WINS FIRST GAME
Chuck Knox won his first game as Bills head coach as Buffalo topped Baltimore, 24-17. Curtis Brown tied a team record with a 102-yard kickoff return for a TD.

September 24, 1987 -- NFL CANCELS GAMES BECAUSE OF STRIKE
The NFL officially cancelled all games for the upcoming weekend, wiping out the Bills' game at Dallas. The league also said it would resume games on October 4 with replacement players.

September 24, 1989 -- BILLS WIN SHOOTOUT IN HOUSTON
In one of the most memorable wins in franchise history, the Bills outgunned the Oilers 47-41 in overtime. Jim Kelly threw for 366 yards and 5 TDs, including the game-winner to Andre Reed for Buffalo's first win in the Astrodome since 1966.

September 24, 1990 -- THOMAS RUSHES FOR CAREER HIGH
Thurman Thomas ran for a career high 214 yards in a 30-7 victory over the Jets on Monday Night Football.

September 25, 1962 -- KEMP COMES TO BUFFALO
Jack Kemp became a member of the Bills after the team claimed him on waivers from the San Diego Chargers for $100.

September 25, 1966 -- CLARKE LEADS THE WAY TO VICTORY
Buffalo defensive back Hagood Clarke intercepted a George Blanda pass and returned 66 yards for a touchdown with 27 seconds left. It gave the Bills a 27-20 victory over the Houston Oilers in Buffalo.

September 25, 1983 -- CRIBBS RUNS FOR CAREER HIGH
Joe Cribbs ran for a career high 166 yards as the Bills beat Houston, 30-13 at Rich Stadium. It was their first victory over the Oilers since 1966.

September 26, 1962 -- BILLS STEAL JACK KEMP
Jack Kemp became a member of the Bills when the team claimed him on waivers from San Diego. Chargers' coach Sid Gillman waived Kemp with the intent of recalling him, but fouled up paperwork and three teams put in a claim.

September 26, 1964 -- BILLS CRUSH SAN DIEGO
The Bills got their third victory in a row as they defeated the San Diego Chargers, 30-3 at War Memorial Stadium. A record crowd of 40,167 saw the game.

September 26, 1965 -- DUBENION LOST FOR SEASON
Wide receiver Elbert Dubenion suffered a season-ending knee injury in Buffalo's 33-21 win over the N.Y. Jets. Quarterback Joe Namath made his first regular season start in the game.

September 26, 1976 -- BILLS SURVIVE AGAINST EXPANSION BUCS
The Bills avoided a terrible embarrassment by edging the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 14-9, on Reuben Gant's fourth quarter reception.

September 26, 1989 -- JAMES LOFTON SIGNED
Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver James Lofton was signed as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders.

September 26, 1994 -- BILLS HONOR FOUR TEAM ORIGINALS
The Bills defeated the Broncos 27-20 in a Monday night game at Rich Stadium. The team celebrated its 35th anniversary all weekend and, during a pregame ceremony, honored four people-owner Ralph Wilson, trainer Ed Abramoski, Buffalo News columnist Larry Felser, and play-by-play man Van Miller-who had been with or associated with the team since its inception.

September 27, 1967 -- BROWN GIVEN CINCINNATI FRANCHISE
The AFL awarded the Cincinnati expansion franchise to Cleveland Browns founder Paul Brown, who named the team the Bengals.

September 27, 1970 -- BILLS LOSE FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME AGAINST ORIGINAL NFL TEAM
The Los Angeles Rams came to Buffalo and disappointed a record crowd of 46,206 by blanking the Bills, 19-0. It was Buffalo's first regular-season game against an old NFL team.

September 27, 1981 -- BILLS SUFFER FIRST OVERTIME LOSS
Cincinnati pulled off an upset at Riverfront Stadium, beating Buffalo in overtime, 27-24. It was the first overtime loss in team history.

September 28, 1969 -- WIN FOR FIRST TIME IN A YEAR
The Bills won for the first time in almost a calendar year, as O.J. Simpson enjoyed his first 100-yard rushing game in a 41-28 victory over the Denver Broncos at War Memorial Stadium.

September 28, 1975 -- BILLS GET REVENGE FOR PLAYOFF LOSS
O.J. Simpson rushed for 227 yards, including an 88-yard TD run, as the Bills got revenge on the Pittsburgh Steelers for their 1974 playoff loss with a 30-21 victory at Three Rivers Stadium over the defending Super Bowl champions.

September 28, 1980 -- BILLS OFF TO BEST START SINCE 1975
The Bills improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1975 with a 24-7 win over the Raiders at Rich Stadium. Oakland managed just 179 yards of offense.

September 29, 1968 -- BILLS SHOCK JETS
The Bills shocked the N.Y. Jets, 37-3, at War Memorial Stadium. Defensive backs Tom Janik, Butch Byrd and Booker Edgerson all returned interceptions for touchdowns. Kicker Bruce Alford, in his first game with the Bills, kicked three field goals and four extra points.

September 29, 1971 -- NEW STADIUM READY FOR '73
A revised timetable for the Bills' new stadium in Orchard Park was unveiled. Construction would begin in April 1972 and should be completed by July 1973, in time for the '73 season.

September 29, 1974 -- BILLS FAIL TO COMPLETE A PASS AND STILL WIN
With winds gusting up to 40 mph, the Bills failed to complete a pass for the first time in team history, yet still defeated the Jets at Rich Stadium, 16-12.

September 29, 1991 -- LARGEST CROWD AT RICH STADIUM
The Bills treated the largest crowd in Rich Stadium history (80,366) by defeating the Bears, 35-20, in a battle of unbeaten teams.

September 29, 1994 -- TWO BILLS GET PLAYER OF THE MONTH HONORS
Bruce Smith was named AFC defensive player of the month and kicker Steve Christie was named the AFC special teams player of the month.

September 30, 1961 -- HERGERT MISSES FOUR FIELD GOALS
The Bills lose at home 19-11, to San Diego, as Joe Hergert missed four field goals.

September 30, 1963 -- BILLS MAKE FOUR CUTS
Buffalo released four players including running back Fred Brown.

September 30, 1973 -- BILLS WIN FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME AT RICH STADIUM
In the first regular-season game played at Rich Stadium, a sellout crowd watched the Bills' defense turn in one of their best efforts in years in a 9-7 victory over the New York Jets.

September 30, 1979 -- FERGUSON HAS BACK-TO-BACK 300 YARD GAMES
The Bills improved to 3-2, their best start since 1975, as Joe Ferguson topped 300 yards passing for the third time in his career and the first time in back-to-back games in a 31-13 rout of the Colts at Baltimore.

September 30, 1984 -- FERGUSON'S CONSECUTIVE STARTS STREAK ENDS
QB Joe Ferguson, who had been tied with Philadelphia's Ron Jaworski for the NFL's longest streak of 107 consecutive starts, didn't play in the Bills' game at Indianapolis. Joe Dufek got the start and threw for 205 yards in the 31-17 loss.

September 30, 1990 -- BILLS SCORE 20 POINTS IN 77 SECONDS
The Bills exploded for 20 points in a 77 second span in the fourth quarter and overcame Denver, 29-28 before a sell-out crowd at Rich Stadium.