Don Cockroft's field goal at Cleveland Stadium with 13 seconds left paves the way for the Browns' final playoff appearance until 1980. Steelers, about to begin their dynasty, went on to postseason for first time in 27 years.
Don Cockroft was the Browns placekicker from 1968 to 1980.By Mike Peticca, Plain Dealer Reporter
Game story by Chuck Heaton, The Plain Dealer
Cleveland, Ohio -- Little did anyone know the mediocrity the Cleveland Browns would soon fade to when the team prepared for a key 1972 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And though it was apparent the Steelers were becoming an elite team, little did anyone suspect they were about to become a dynasty.
The Browns were 6-3, one game behind the Steelers in the American Football Conference Central Division, when Pittsburgh visited Cleveland on Nov. 19, 1972. The Browns won, 26-24, in the final seconds, as The Plain Dealer's Browns beat writer, the late Chuck Heaton, described in his game story (to follow).
The Browns went on to a 10-4 record, including a 30-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Dec. 3. They made the playoffs as the AFC wild card, then lost a tense divisional playoff game to the Dolphins, 20-14, on Christmas Eve. It was Cleveland's last postseason game until 1980.
The Steelers finished 11-3 to win the division title. Pittsburgh, which had played one postseason game in its previous 39 NFL seasons, topped the Oakland Raiders, 13-7, in a divisional playoff contest decided on the famous fourth-and-long, 60-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw to Franco Harris in the final seconds; the so-called "Immaculate Reception." The flukey play on which Bradshaw scrambled, fired a desperation heave that bounced off Pittsburgh's John "Frenchy" Fuqua when he was hit by Oakland's Jack Tatum, and the football plucked from the air by the trailing Harris just as it was about to hit the ground.
Pittsburgh lost the AFC championship game to Miami, 21-17. Miami defeated the Washington Redskins, 14-7, to win the Super Bowl and complete its 17-0 season.
The Plain Dealer's Browns history database features PD stories on every Browns regular season and playoff game in the team's history. Click on to the highlighted game result for The Plain Dealer game stories. Click on to highlighted dates for the game box score via Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Chuck Heaton's Plain Dealer game story follows.
By Chuck Heaton
Plain Dealer Reporter
Nov. 19, 1972
The Browns have rallied to win many last-second games during their more-than-bright quarter-century in football. They won one Sunday afternoon in the mud and gloom of the Stadium that ranks with the most dramatic ever.
The 26-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had been favored by eight points, was a team triumph. It also was a most satisfying moment for coach Nick Skorich and his staff.
They had supplied the blueprint which made the upset possible. Also, they convinced their players that the Steelers, despite successive victories over Cincinnati and Kansas City, were not supermen who could not be beaten.
IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, it all came down to Don Cockroft in one of the most testing moments of his career. Only moments earlier, the blond booter had been wide to the right with a 27-yard field-goal attempt which would have put the Browns ahead.
That came with under two minutes left. The Browns regained the football, thanks to a tremendous defensive effort. They moved into field-goal position on pinpoint passes by Mike Phipps, who certainly has come of age as the club's quarterback.
There were 13 seconds remaining as Skorich gave the sign to Cockroft. The ball was on the Pittsburgh 18-yard line. A steady drizzle was falling, and the field had been churned up in that section where the football must be set down.
COCKROFT EARLIER HAD KICKED field goals of 26, 38 and 12 yards, without which this final trial wouldn't have been meaningful. He undoubtedly had some mental assists from Cleveland followers in the standing-room-throng of 83,009, who, after an afternoon of crazy shouting, suddenly went quiet as the field-goal team took the field.
There was a good snap from Fred Hoaglin. Phipps set the ball down perfectly in the mud, and Cockroft kicked it in a beautiful arc through the uprights from the 26-yard line.
The signal from the officials that it was a field goal and three points brought a great roar of approval. Some of the lower-deck fans couldn't resist swarming on the field, and suddenly it almost seemed that the sun was shining.
There was time for the kickoff and one incomplete pass by Terry Bradshaw. Then the final gun sounded, and the Browns found themselves tied with Pittsburgh for first place in the Central Division of the American Football Conference.
BOTH TEAMS HAVE RECORDS of seven victories and three defeats after this fifth straight Cleveland victory, which ended a string of five consecutive Steelers triumphs. Now the title is up for grabs between the two clubs, with a meeting in Pittsburgh a week from Sunday looming very important in the aspirations of both teams.
There are formidable assignments for both next Sunday, with the Steelers probably having the more difficult task. They'll be playing host to the Minnesota Vikings, as the Browns entertain O.J. Simpson and the Buffalo Bills on the lakefront.
It really would have been a shame for the Browns to lose this game, because they outplayed a squad that was supposed to be more physical and have more talent. Pride is important in a football team, and the 1972 Browns showed that they are similar to Cleveland clubs of old in the regard.
Except for one major lapse when Franco Harris, the Steelers' flashy rookie running back shook loose for 75 yards from scrimmage for a touchdown, the defense was very tough. It gave up yardage reluctantly with Nick Roman, starting at defensive end, being a major contributor.
NOT ENOUGH CAN BE said for the offensive line and particularly John Demarie. They answered the challenge of Mean Joe Greene and friends by opening holes which were used to the fullest advantage by Leroy Kelly and Bo Scott.
Phipps also gained new stature before a press box audience which included some writers on hand to watch Pittsburgh move closer to its first division title. Mike, who certainly has answered any critics who doubted his ability to perform under pressure, clicked on 14 of 25 passes for 194 yards.
The former Purdue University star was thrown three times for losses of 22 yards and has two interceptions, but he averaged 8 yards on three carries. He also made the two big plays when the chips were down.
After the defense forced a punt in the closing seconds, Kelly returned 9 yards to the Browns' 42-yard line. There were 52 seconds left when Phipps went to work.
HE STARTED WITH A pass to Fair Hooker over the middle for 17 yards. That used up 12 seconds. Then came another down the middle to Frank Pitts for 18 yards.
The Cleveland timeouts had been used up, and the clock had to be stopped. Phipps again passed toward Pitts. It was a dangerous throw that might have been an interception for a touchdown for the Browns.
Neither Pitts nor safety Mike Wagner could get the football. The Steelers were offside on the play, so Cockroft had his reprieve with the ball on the 18-yard line.
Harris, thanks primarily to that 75-yard touchdown jaunt, led both teams on the ground with 136 yards. Kelly was superb, however, with amazing second effort for 107 yards on 21 carries. Scott, playing despite a very sore foot, gained 84 yards on 14 tries for a 6-yard average. And this came against a team that completely shut off the Kansas City running game last Sunday.
BRADSHAW CLICKED ON 10 of 21 passes for 136 yards. He was thrown four times for 33 yards and a touchdown. The latter came on a pass to Gerry Mullins, a guard who shifted out to end for the play. It was a toss of 3 yards just before the half which saw the Browns with a 21-10 bulge.
The Steelers had gone to the front at the start on a 39-yard field goal by Ray Gerela. The Browns tied it in that first period with Cockroft's 26-yard boot and went ahead on Phipps' sneak for 1 yard and a touchdown.
Cockroft hiked the lead with a 38-yard field goal, and Pitts added to the margin by taking a 17-yard toss from Phipps. Then came Mullins' score for the visitors just before the half.
Cleveland got on the board first in the third quarter with Cockroft's 12-yard field goal. John Fuqua, held to 46 yards, hit the line for 1 yard to reduce the bulge to six points.
THEN CAME THE 75-YARD dash by Harris in the fourth quarter. He pounded his left end in a short-yardage situation, eluded Walt Sumner at midfield and romped into the end zome. Gerela's kick put the Steelers on top, 24-23.
There was time enough for three Cleveland tries. John Rowser killed off the first with a pass interception. Then Cockroft missed on his 27-yard field goal try.
This is an unusual Browns team, however. It refused to accept defeat. So the opportunity was provided for Cockroft's game-winning three points.
Cleveland has Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and the New York Jets in that order. The last three games are on the road.