Sept. 28, 1964 - That was the game that was, featuring seven Colt touchdowns, seven Colt extra points, and a Colt field goal.
That was the game that was, featuring a gang-tackling Colt defense which goose-egged the defending world champion Chicago Bears.
That was the game that was played yesterday as the Colts atoned for past Bear indignities with a 52-0 pasting before 56,537 howling Memorial Stadium fans.
It also was a game where the Colts had everything going for them as they reaped retribution for six straight losses to the Bears, including a 57-0 humiliation on this same field in 1962.
And it was the game where the Bears suffered the worst defeat in their history, which extends back to 1920.
It was the game where Joe Don Looney made his debut as a fullback. In his brief fourth-quarter stint, he helped add insult to injury with a 58-yard touchdown dash.
Johnny Unitas threw three touchdown passes, two in the first half as the Colts jumped to a 24-0 lead.
The Colt defense and specialty team set up all but the first and last two Baltimore touchdowns with great runbacks by Alex Hawkins and Wendell Harris and Tony Lorick, a fine interception by Don Shinnick, and a fumble recovery by Jim Welch.
The Colt defense was so good it allowed only one deep penetration by the Bears. In the fading moments of the first half, Chicago raced down to the Colt 13 and then scored on a Bill Wade to Mike Ditka pass.
However, the Bears were guilty of pushing in the end zone. The touchdown was cancelled, and the first and last Bear threat died.
“We were stinko,” said Bear coach George Halas afterward. “That’s the only word to describe our offense and defense. The only thing I can see that was favorable about this game was that we got everything rotten out of our system at once.
“But give credit where it belongs — to the Colts. They were ready and overwhelmed us. And a great quarterback had a great day.”
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