On This Date in Sports October 26, 1980: A Dozen by the Sack
In collaboration with the Sportsecyclopedia.com
The St. Louis Cardinals stunned the Baltimore Colts 17-10 at Memorial Stadium. The Cardinals defense sets a record in the game, sacking Colts quarterback Bert Jones 12 times. The Colts came into the game at 4-3, while the Cardinals were scuffling at 2-5. Getting sacked would be a problem in Jones’ career as he often was behind a less than adequate offensive line.
Bert Jones could have been the best quarterback in NFL history, according to Colts scout Ernie Accorsi. He was born on September 7, 1951, in Ruston, Louisiana. After playing at LSU, Jones was drafted second overall by the Colts in the 1973 NFL Draft, becoming the replacement for Johnny Unitas in Baltimore. After struggling his first two seasons, Bert Jones enjoyed a breakout season in 1975. A year later, he was named NFL MVP, passing for 3,104 yards to lead the NFL.
After another strong season in 1977, Bert Jones began to suffer injuries as he often found himself under duress as the Colts line failed to protect him. In 1978 and 1979, Jones played a combined seven games. As a result, the Colts went from three straight division titles to finishing last place in the AFC East at 5-11.
Bert Jones was healthy again in 1980 as the Colts started 4-2 under coach Mike McCormick. The St. Louis Cardinals also had a first-year coach named Jim Hanifan. Both teams came into Week 8 after a loss in Week 7. The Cardinals were shutout by the Washington Redskins 23-0, while the Colts lost at home to the New England Patriots 37-21.
The Cardinals took an early lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Otis Anderson. It was the only score of the first half. The Cardinals defense was able to pressure Jones all day, as Curtis Greer had four and a half sacks. The Cardinals 12 sacks of Bert Jones equaled a record set by the Dallas Cowboys in a 1966 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cardinals added a second touchdown in the third quarter as Pat Tilley caught a ten-yard pass from Jim Hart. The Cardinals would eventually build a 17-0 lead on a field goal by Neil O’Donoghue. The Colts would make it look close by scoring ten points in the fourth quarter, with Roger Carr catching a nine-yard touchdown score from Bert Jones with two seconds left in the game.
The Cardinals would lose seven of their final ten games, posting a record of 7-9, while the Cardinals struggled all season and posted a 5-11 record for the second year in a row. Bert Jones would play just one more season in Baltimore before finishing his career with the Los Angeles Rams in 1982.