Charger Free Agents Make It Look Easy in Shutout of Dallas

This was the big time for Charger free-agent quarterback Rick Neuheisel. After all, there were no locusts at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium Saturday night.

“The last pro game I played in was in San Antonio against the Portland Breakers and there were locusts,” Neuheisel said.

And earlier that season, the lights went out during a game. And he didn’t get paid for his last four weeks with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the now-dormant USFL.

So, it’s no wonder the National Football League looked so good to Neuheisel, as he helped lead the Chargers to a 29-0 exhibition game victory over the Dallas Cowboys in front of 48,020 fans Saturday night.

“Like I told someone on the sideline, even if this is it, it’s worth it,” said Neuheisel, who completed 12 of 16 passes for 102 yards and directed the Chargers to one touchdown and two field goals in nearly two quarters.

“I was in an NFL stadium, playing the Dallas Cowboys,” Neuheisel said. “It was a big thrill. Throwing a couple of balls. We scored a touchdown. It was a blast.”

It was the first appearance in a professional game since 1985 for the former UCLA star who was the Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player in 1984.

“I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t feel some butterflies,” he said. “But butterflies turned to adrenaline.”

Neuheisel wasn’t the only free agent to have a memorable night for the Chargers.

Kevin Scott, a running back from Stanford, dashed 74 yards for a touchdown with just 1:15 remaining in the game.

“All throughout the game, I was hoping I’d get to play at tailback,” Scott said.

“I felt like asking myself what am I doing here playing with these guys,” he said. “But then after the first hit, you settle down and get into the game.”

On Scott’s first run, he broke through the middle, cut to the outside and was gone.

Free-agent running back Frank Middleton, who played with the Indianapolis Colts in 1984 and ‘85, scored on a two-yard leap into the end zone. Free-agent Vince Abbott from Cal State Fullerton kicked field goals of 44 and 39 yards, and free-agent Jeff Gaffney of Virginia kicked a 47-yarder.

It was not only a memorable night for the free agents, but also for the defense.

It was the second year in a row the Chargers opened their exhibition season with a shutout of the Cowboys (20-0 last season).

“Mechanically, we were fairly sound on a lot of things,” said Ron Lynn, Charger defensive coordinator. “We were further ahead this year than we were last year.”

Coach Al Saunders--already looking ahead to Monday’s practice--said he was pleased with the “intensity of the defense” and “happy to win the football game.” But he was disappointed with the consistency of the special teams and the running game.

Dallas Coach Tom Landry was even more disappointed.

“I thought it turned out about as bad as it could have,” Landry said. “We should have gotten beat worse, probably. I don’t like to look bad and play the way we did.”

The teams played a scoreless first quarter. The Chargers had the best scoring opportunity when they marched 80 yards to the Dallas 13, but newly acquired running back Barry Redden fumbled on an off-tackle run and the ball was recovered by linebacker Mike Hegman at the 12.

On the Chargers’ next possession, starting quarterback Mark Herrmann hit wide receiver Trumaine Johnson on passes of 17 and 12 yards. On first and goal from the Dallas 17, Herrmann hit Lionel James in the left corner of the end zone. James easily beat Dallas linebacker Jeff Rohrer, who was trying to cover Little Train one-on-one.

The Chargers converted a fumble recovery by linebacker Woodrow Lowe into three points when Abbott kicked a 44-yarder with 1:49 remaining in the first half to make it 10-0.

On the Cowboys’ next possession, punter Mike Saxon fumbled the snap and then passed to Michael Downs for a loss of five yards. Four plays later, the Chargers increased their lead to 13-0 on a 47-yarder by Gaffney with one second left in the half.

Later came Middleton’s touchdown, another Abbott field goal and a touchdown run by Scott. And a lot of postgame excitement from Neuheisel.