1965 NFL

"GAME-OF-THE-WEEK"

Detroit Lions

vs

Los Angeles Rams

The October 31, 1965 Lions-Rams NFL “Game-Of-The-Week” film is another nostalgic title from the vast Rare Sportsfilms library of old pro football films produced over a generation ago! Narrated by Jack Whitaker, this 25-minute film, now available on DVD, is in gorgeous COLOR!

Both the Lions and Rams had poor seasons in ’65, finishing at the bottom of the Western Division. The excellent Lion defense could not carry the club in ’65, as a season long flood of injuries and an off-year by #1 quarterback Milt Plum doomed the team to a sixth-place 6-7-1 record. The Rams finished last at 4-10 with a young team. QB Bill Munson led the Rams to only one win in their first 10 games before his knee injury forced young “QB of the future” Roman Gabriel off the bench.

To start the game, Ram’s deep receiver Bobby Smith takes Wayne Walker’s kickoff in the end zone, runs it out to the 16 and fumbles! The Lion’s Ernie Clark recovers and after Joe Don Looney scores, it’s 7-0 Lions with only 43 seconds gone in the game! The Lions fair catch the kickoff, and start again on offense from their own 39. George Izo, making his first start for the Lions at quarterback, tosses a 61 scoring pass to Terry Barr down the sidelines, and the Lions are quickly out in front, 14-0! With a 4th and 20 at the Lions 41-yd line, the Rams go for a 48-yd FG, but Bruce Gossett’s kick is short. Later in the quarter, on 4th and 8 at the Ram 30, the Lions try a 37 yd FG, but the Rams block Walker’s kick, leaving the score 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Lions drive to the Rams 28, and on 4th down, Walker tries another FG, this one from 34 yds away, but his kick is wide. With less than two minutes to go in the first half, the Rams are threatening to score, with the ball first and ten on the Lions 14. Ram QB Bill Munson tosses a pass down the middle to Les Josephson, but the ball is intercepted at the 5-yd line by Lion linebacker Joe Schmidt, and at halftime, the score is still 14-0 Lions.

In the third quarter with the Lions on the Ram 47, George Izo tosses a bomb down the sidelines to Terry Barr, but rookie Clancy Williams is guilty of pass interference at the 12-yd line. On second down and 7 at the Ram 9, Joe Don Looney takes the ball in for his second TD of the afternoon, and the score mounts to 21-0 Lions. On their next possession, the Rams drive to the Lions 47. Marlin McKeever takes Munson’s short pass over the middle and rambles all the way for the Rams first TD, tightening the score to 21-7.

On the Rams’ first possession of the fourth quarter, Munson throws his third interception of the day, with Dick LeBeau picking off his second of the game, this one on the Ram 45. Milt Plum, who takes over the Lions quarterbacking chores late in the third period, throws a short toss to Pat Studstill, who after a nice 43-yd run, is pushed out of bounds on the Ram one! Plum next sneaks over from the one, and the Lions are cruising, 28-7. Later in the quarter, the Rams have a first down at the Lions 17. Munson turns and hands to Terry Baker in the backfield, who tosses to McKeever at the goal line for an apparent TD. But CB LeBeau punches the ball out of McKeever’s arms, and Night Train Lane falls on the ball for Detroit, essentially wiping out all hope of a Ram comeback! Late in the game the Rams hold the Lions, and Pat Studstill kicks to Dick Bass, who signals for a fair catch – but he fumbles! The Lions John Henderson recovers at the Rams 33. The Rams hold the Lions there, but Wayne Walker kicks a 34-yd FG, making the final score read Lions 31, Rams 7.

Throughout the game you’ll see many other Lions of the day: Nick Pietrosante, Sam Williams, Bruce Maher, Tom Watkins, Amos Marsh, Wayne Rasmussen, Ron Kramer, Gail Cogdill, Roger Brown, Larry Hand, and Tom Vaughn. In action for the Rams are Ben Wilson, Billy Lothridge, Tommy McDonald, Ed Meador, Jerry Richardson, Chuck Lamson, Doug Woodlief, Frank Molden, Dan McIlhany, Tony Guillory, Fred Brown, Jack Snow and of course, the “fearsome foursome” of Lamar Lundy, Roosevelt Grier, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones.

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