It’s Time for 49ers to Repay Old Debt

Near the end of the Monday night exhibition game between the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos in August, 49er Coach Bill Walsh was seen gesturing heatedly toward the Denver sideline.

According to his players, Walsh was upset that Bronco Coach Dan Reeves was still using his regulars after the 49ers had starting using rookies and reserves.

The Broncos, exploiting the mismatch, overcame a 13-3 deficit to win the game, 20-13.

As the Broncos were driving for a final field goal with 1:50 remaining, Walsh called his players together for a meeting on the sideline. The camera showed him storming back and forth and pointing angrily.

What was he saying?

The next day, a 49er tight end who asked that his name not be used, quoted Walsh as saying: “We’re gonna beat the bleep out of these guys the next time we play ‘em.”

The rematch is tonight.

Trivia Time: Ron Jaworski and Mike Quick of the Philadelphia Eagles tied an NFL record Sunday when they combined on a 99-yard touchdown pass play. The record, which has been tied seven times, most recently was equaled in 1983. By whom? (Answer below.)

Add Forgettable Quotes: Indianapolis Coach Rod Dowhower told Bob Sudyk of the Hartford Courant last week that the AFL East had been reduced to a race between New England and New York. Of Miami, he said: “Their defense isn’t what it should be yet. And Dan Marino liking to throw downfield and force some balls has caught up with them.”

See Page 5.

Buddy Martin of the Denver Post, on the bowl prospects of Air Force after its 45-7 rout of Army: “If you’re looking for omens, reserve fullback Pat Vellanti ran 57 yards for a touchdown Saturday. His fiancee is Stephanie Hicks, the Orange Bowl queen.”

Add Orange Bowl: Said Nebraska tailback Doug DuBose, looking ahead to Kansas and Oklahoma, after the 49-0 rout of Iowa State: “We have two tough games left. But if we play the way we did today, we’ll go to Miami in good shape. I’m starting to get my shorts out.”

Woody Widenhofer, the Missouri coach would advise Doug to cool it. After Oklahoma routed his Tigers, 51-6, Woody said of the Sooners: “They are a lot better than Nebraska.”

Trivia Answer: Jim Plunkett to Cliff Branch, Raiders vs. Washington Redskins. Others: Sonny Jurgensen-Gerry Allen (Washington), 1968; Karl Sweetan-Pat Studstill (Detroit), 1966; George Izo-Bobby Mitchell (Washington), 1963; Otto Graham-Mac Speedie (Cleveland), 1947; Frank Filchock-Andy Farkas (Washington), 1939.

Quotebook

Skip Bayless of the Dallas Times Herald, on the bizarre happenings in the stands at RFK Stadium: “Think about it, a lot of Redskin fans run this country.”