1973 Week 12


Roster Moves
BOS: DB Tim McGovern | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
BUF: TE Nino Duggets | Reserve List -> Active Roster
BUF: LB Virgil Rolosson | Reserve List -> Active Roster
CGY: OL Tristan Glaukos | Active Roster -> Reserve List
HFX: S Sampson Wendel | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
HFX: DB Jack Holly | Active Roster -> Reserve List
HFX: OL Joseph Gibson | Reserve List -> Active Roster
HFX: DB Arthur Longsjo Jr. | Reserve List -> Active Roster
IND: S Geno Aranda | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
IND: DB Byron Knight | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LDN: TE Lucas Warmer | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LDN: TE Pete Mayfield | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
LI: LB Brent Mayiski | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
LI: DB Dan DeLeon | Reserve List -> Active Roster
MIN: DB Chandler Gage | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
MIN: DB Tony Rhodes | Active Roster -> Reserve List
MIN: OL Jordan Bryson | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
MIN: OL Fernand Nielson | Active Roster -> Waivers -> Reserve List
MIN: WR Ferdinand Matthews | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
MTL: RB Dre Bell | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
MTL: RB Tank Ferguson | Active Roster -> Waivers -> Reserve List
MTL: DL Alan Franjkovic | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
MTL: DL Stewart DuBoeuf | Active Roster -> Reserve List
OTT: OL Matt Helmut | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
OTT: LB Isaac Snyder | Reserve List -> Active Roster
PIT: WR Lukas Sanchez | Active Roster -> Reserve List
PRO: TE Kairos Knight | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
PRO: TE Reuben Gilbertson | Reserve List -> Active Roster
PRO: OL Louie DeBois | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
PRO: OL Justin Tuckest | Active Roster -> Reserve List
PRO: LB Brian O’Flaherty | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
REG: OL Ian Robertson | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
REG: OL James Bathgate | Active Roster -> Reserve List
TOR: OL Millard Streety | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
VAN: LB Shawn Anderson | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
VAN: LB Alejo O’Connor | Active Roster -> Reserve List
VAN: WR Jessie Lambert | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
VAN: TE Taro Ueyama | Reserve List -> Active Roster
WPG: DL Graham de Veres | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
WPG: DL Justin Bardouche | Active Roster -> Reserve List
WPG: TE Douglas Northway | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
WPG: TE John Wells | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve
WPG: OL Ian Yager | Injured Reserve -> Active Roster
WPG: OL Claude Balderson | Active Roster -> Injured Reserve

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Winnipeg Falcons - 19 @ London Tigers - 44 - Western Fair Stadium - Friday, September 7, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 27,877
1st Q
3-0: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
3-3: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
10-3: WPG - RTD RB Joe Rivers
13-3: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
2nd Q
13-10: LDN - PTD QB Henry Johnsson -> WR Cole Fletcher
13-17: LDN - RTD RB Maxwell Greenfield
3rd Q
13-20: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
13-27: LDN - PTD QB Henry Johnsson -> WR Juwan Sylvester
16-27: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
4th Q
16-34: LDN - RTD RB Maxwell Greenfield
19-34: WPG - FG K Jordan Hollingsworth
19-37: LDN - FG K Nimrod Handsworth
19-44: LDN - DTD INT DB Ray Hallatt

The Tigers rolled over the Falcons on Friday night to capture their 3rd consecutive win. 
Winnipeg started the game strong with a shocking 13-3 lead in the first quarter, which was helped by a S Vernon Redgate interception. However, in the 2nd, despite losing RB Jeremy Royal, the Tigers’ offence started rolling, scoring twice to take the lead into halftime. The 3rd, saw the Tigers grow their lead with WR Juwan Sylvester scoring against his old team. The game continued at this pace up to a pick-6 from DB Ray Hallatt, who was getting more snaps down the stretch. 

Ottawa Royals - 20 @ Montreal Rouge - 34 - Mount Royal Stadium - Saturday, September 8, 1973 - 12:00 PM ET - Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Attendance: 46,415
1st Q
7-0: OTT - PTD QB Drake Young -> WR Sterling Underhill
7-7: MTL - RTD RB Bo Frazier
10-7: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
2nd Q
10-14: MTL - PTD QB Landon Ross -> WR Nathan Hackman
11-14: OTT - Single K Ira Foster
11-17: MTL - FG K Buster McDooley
3rd Q
11-24: MTL - PTD QB Landon Ross -> WR Evan Moore
14-24: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
14-27: MTL - FG K Buster McDooley
4th Q
17-27: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
20-27: OTT - FG K Ira Foster
20-34: MTL - PTD QB Landon Ross -> WR Taylor Karis

A late gamble pays off for Montreal, who steals back the tie-breaker from the Royals in the rivalry rematch.
The Royals and Rouge traded blows back and forth in the first half, however, after a missed field goal in the 2nd, the game started to get away from the Royals. Montreal, led by QB Landon Ross, extended their lead up to 14-27 by the start of the 4th. In the final frame, the Royals would slowly claw their way back to a 1-score game. However, the offence stalled and Montreal would get the ball and start making their way down the field play-by-play. Eventually, the Rouge would take a gamble at the 10, with Ross dropping back and hitting WR Taylor Karis in the back of the endzone. The touchdown would put Montreal at a 14-point lead, which is greater than Ottawa’s 12-point win in the first meeting this season, thus handing Montreal the tiebreaker when the game finally ended.

Providence Gold Stars - 25 @ Louisville Thunder - 30 - Thunder Stadium - Saturday, September 8, 1973 - 12:00 PM ET - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 45,414
1st Q
0-7: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman
7-7: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Justin Palmer
14-7: PRO - RTD RB Tresean Jones
2nd Q
14-14: LOU - RTD RB Neil Bradley
17-14: PRO - FG K Gilbert O’Neill
3rd Q
17-17: LOU - FG K Rhys Kupp
24-17: PRO - PTD QB Red King -> WR Colby Bancana
4th Q
24-24: LOU - PTD QB Buck Murphy -> WR Ben Graham
25-24: PRO - Single K Gilbert O’Neill
25-30: LOU - PTD Buck Murphy -> WR Casey Coleman

A battle of division leaders would see the Thunder take home their 4th straight win in a classic game.
The two teams were evenly matched, with one of the top offences (LOU) going up against one of the top defences (PRO). Providence held a small 17-14 lead at halftime and again a 24-17 lead in the 3rd; however, the game slipped away as Louisville’s offence managed to turn it up just a bit more in the 4th to put up 2 touchdowns to steal away the win. Providence’s offense struggled to match the pace after RB Tresean Jones left the game early, only managing a single point in the final frame.

Calgary Predators - 19 @ Toronto Steelheads - 9 - Anderson Stadium - Saturday, September 8, 1973 - 3:30 PM ET - Weather: - Attendance: 50,341
1st Q
3-0: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
2nd Q
6-0: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
6-3: TOR - FG K Frank Hughes
3rd Q
9-3: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
12-3: CGY - FG K Billy Eichelberger
19-3: CGY - RTD RB John Drexel
4th Q
19-9: TOR - PTD QB Ryan Alexander -> RB JC Skyes

Calgary picked up their 5th win in their last 6 games, taking down the Steelheads on the road.
Toronto’s defence continued to show that they can handle even the most offensively inclined teams, keeping Calgary out of the endzone until the 3rd. However, Calgary was still able to move the ball well enough to score 4 field goals before that. Unfortunately for Toronto, their offence was unable to stay with the Predators’ offense as they only were able to put up 3 points in that same time frame. Calgary puts themselves in a solid spot to still push for a playoff spot, while Toronto likely is out of the running following the loss.

Halifax Mariners -17 @ Vancouver Wolves - 27 - Vancouver Exhibition Stadium - Saturday, September 8, 1973 - 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT - Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Attendance: 35,068
1st Q
3-0: HFX - FG K Albert Wickerweaver
3-7: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westwood -> WR Tristian Lewis
2nd Q
3-14: VAN - PTD QB Kevin Westood -> TE Johnny Temple
3rd Q
3-21: VAN - PTD QB Jerome Sheppard -> WR Akira Sakamoto
10-21: HFX - PTD QB Todd Sparrow -> WR Shane Steadman
4th Q
10-24: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks
17-24: HFX - RTD RB Axel Vandal
17-27: VAN - FG K Sterling Brooks

Vancouver picked up their 3rd straight win, defeating the Mariners despite a few injuries. 
The Wolves were well in control of the game from the start, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the first half to give them a 3-14. However, in the 2nd half, the team would switch out QB Kevin Westwood for QB Jerome Sheppard after Westwood took a bit of a bump near the end of the 1st. Sheppard would throw a touchdown over everyone to Sakamoto, and Vancouver was well out in front. However, Halifax would give them a bit of a scare late with a pair of 2nd half touchdowns that would cut the lead to just 7, but the Wolves’ defence would clamp down and hold off the comeback.

SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Buffalo Blue Wings - 23 @ Pittsburgh Blacksmiths - 27 - Riverfront Stadium of Pittsburgh - Saturday, September 8, 1973 - 7:00 PM ET - Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Attendance: 48,384
1st Q
3-0: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
3-7: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> TE Jesse Butler
10-7: BUF - PTD QB Charles Lemieux -> WR Tracy Driscoll
2nd Q
10-14: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin
10-15: PIT - Single K Dante DiBernardo
3rd Q
13-15: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
20-15: BUF - RTD RB Jasper Dickerson
20-21: PIT - RTD RB Raymond Green
4th Q
23-21: BUF - FG K Ryan Perch
23-27: PIT - PTD QB Louis Vaughn -> WR Taylor Austin

Pittsburgh gets an important win over their central division rivals to keep them in the playoff hunt.
The game started off with both teams trading blows, leading to a Pittsburgh lead at half time. However, the game turned up the heat when RB Max Tracy got pulled down awkwardly, leading to a pectoral strain that would take him out of the game. The Blacksmiths would rally behind their fallen star and backup RB Raymond Green to keep pace with Buffalo, but the Blue Wings were right there to punch back, taking a lead in the 4th. QB Louis Vaughn would come up clutch in the 4th, leading a game-winning drive to give Pittsburgh the vital win.

Indiana Victors - 13 @ Long Island Raiders - 30 - Long Island Stadium - Sunday, September 9, 1973 - 1:00 PM ET - Weather: Partly Cloudy - Attendance: 40,131
1st Q
0-7: LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> TE Eric Peterson
3-7: IND - FG K Ross Poindexter
3-10: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
2nd Q
3-17: LI - PTD QB Ivan Sanchez -> WR Larry Mossholder
3-20: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
3rd Q
10-20: IND - PTD QB Nathan Houle -> WR Jake Abbredezzi
10-23: LI - FG K Vic Greatwood
4th Q
10-30: LI - RTD RB Rudy Saunders
13-30: IND - FG K Ross Poindexter

Sunday’s action kicked off with the Raiders crushing the Victors to regain 1st place in the East Division. 
The offence was hot in the first half, scoring 20, including a pair of touchdown passes from QB Ivan Sanchez. They added 10 more in the 2nd on the legs of RB Rudy Saunders, who was making his first start for the Raiders in place of the injured RB Scott Norton. Indiana had moments of hope with QB Nathan Houle tossing a big touchdown pass to WR Jake Abbredezzi, but the defence just couldn’t keep up with HC Levi Bray’s Raider offence. Bray also had a way to beat his old DC, Theo Espinoza, and his now Victors’ defence. 

Regina Wheat Kings - 23 @ Minnesota Serpents - 29 - Midgard Stadium - Sunday, September 9, 1973 - 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT - Weather: Cloudy - Attendance: 48,333
1st Q
0-3: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
3-3: REG - FG K Mark Mundle
3-10: MIN - RTD RB Tyler Kuhn
2nd Q
3-17: MIN - RTD RB George Seahorse
3-18: MIN - Single K Ray Bough
10-18: REG - PTD QB Stanley Evans -> WR Leonard Green
3rd Q
13-18: REG - FG K Mark Mundle
13-25: MIN - PTD QB Martin Keller -> TE Xavier Francis Langford
4th Q
13-26: MIN - Single K Ray Bough
20-26: REG - PTD QB Stanley Evans -> WR Colt Robbins
20-29: MIN - FG K Ray Bough
23-29: REG - FG K Mark Mundle

Minnesota escapes a late-game push from Wheat Kings to keep themselves in a playoff spot heading into the final 3 games of the season.
Minnesota was in control of this one for much of the 1st half, taking a 3-17 lead, however, a RB Tyler Kuhn injury would slow them down a bit going into the 2nd half. Regina would climb back into the game with the next 10 points before Minnesota was finally able to get back to the endzone in the 3rd. Regina wouldn’t go away, however, and they would eventually cut the lead down to just 6 in the 4th. Minnesota’s defence would ultimately get it together in the 4th, holding off the Wheat Kings’ attack, but the fans in Midgard Stadium were certainly worried about another disappointing result.

Boston Independents - 34 @ Edmonton Rangers - 18 - Forest Heights Park - Sunday, September 9, 1973 - 4:30 PM ET/2:30 PM MT - Weather: Mostly Cloudy - Attendance: 27,933
1st Q
0-7: EDM - PTD QB Mike Key -> WR Elliot Gold
7-7: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Edward Webb
2nd Q
14-7: BOS - PTD QB Nathaniel Braddock -> WR Craig Nunnery
21-7: BOS - RTD RB Reggie Whitehead
21-8: EDM - Single K Nigel Stewart
3rd Q
24-8: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
24-14: EDM - RTD RB Howie Bowman
31-14: BOS - RTD RB Wesley Wu
4th Q
34-14: BOS - FG K Woody Woodstock
34-17: EDM - FG K Nigel Stewart

Boston would close out Week 12 with a dominant win over the Rangers, keeping them in the playoff hunt.
Edmonton was the first to score with a strong opening drive, however, the Independents responded with 3 touchdowns to immediately put the game out of sight for the struggling Rangers. Even when Edmonton scored a touchdown in the 3rd to cut into the lead, Boston would answer back with another touchdown to kill any hope of a comeback.

Injury Report
BOS: DB Claus Pickering - Knee Swelling - 6 Weeks
BOS: S Ernie Osborne - Tight Calf - Day-to-Day
BUF: OL Peter Manning - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
CGY: OL Alan Farquharson - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
CGY: OL Charles Schwartz - Tight Calf - Day-to-Day
EDM: LB Perry Stevenson - Mild Ligament Sprain - 4 Weeks
IND: RB Mark Waters - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
IND: WR Lew Wallendowski - Mild Ligament Sprain - 6 Weeks
IND: RB Ronnie Byers - Torn Muscle - 8 Weeks
LDN: RB Jeremy Royal - Groin Strain - 1 Week
LI: WR Frank Drysdale - Broken Bone - 6 Weeks
LOU: LB Le’Darius Wynn - Sports Hernia - 11 Weeks
LOU: DL Gavin Shaw - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
MIN: RB Tyler Kuhn - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
MIN: RB Allen Navarro - High Ankle Sprain - 11 Weeks
MIN: OL Elias McCarren - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
MIN: DB Austin Sherebernikoff - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
MTL: DL Bjorn Sigmarsson - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
OTT: S Marc Bellecourt - Mild Ligament Sprain - 4 Weeks
OTT: DB Maxwell Holmes - Mild Soreness -Day-to-Day
OTT: DL Leonard Albert - Strained Hamstring - 3 Weeks
PIT: RB Max Tracy - Pectoral Strain - 6 Weeks
PIT: OL Robin Beard - Knee Swelling - 3 Weeks
PIT: DL Terrence Strickland - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
PIT: DL Arthur Bradshaw - Illness - Day-to-Day
PRO: RB Tresean Jones - Moderate Concussion - 4 Weeks
REG: DL Pete Gingers - Mild Ligament Sprain - 5 Weeks
TOR: WR Alex Browne Sr. - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
TOR: OL Phil Ampertis - Tight Hamstring - Day-to-Day
VAN: OL James Denison - Strained Hamstring - 2 Weeks
VAN: QB Kevin Westwood - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day
VAN: LB Jaylen Murray - Knee Swelling - 5 Weeks
WPG: WR Izzy Woods - Minor Bruise - Day-to-Day
WPG: S Sully Callahan - Sprained Ankle - 2 Weeks
WPG: LB Magnus Pearce - Mild Soreness - Day-to-Day

Players of the Week


OFF: QB Louis Vaughn PIT - 3 Passing Touchdowns, 341 Passing Yards


DEF: DL Alan Franjkovic MTL - 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Sacks, 6 Tackles

Standings
WEST
Vancouver - 9-2
Minnesota - 6-5
Calgary - 6-5
Regina - 4-7
Edmonton - 3-8
Winnipeg - 2-9

CENTRAL
Louisville - 9-2
London - 7-4
Pittsburgh 6-5
Toronto - 4-7
Buffalo - 3-8
Indiana - 3-8

EAST
Long Island - 8-3
Montreal - 7-4
Providence - 7-4
Boston - 6-5
Ottawa - 6-5
Halifax - 3-8

Playoff Picture
1 - C: Louisville - 9-2
2 - W: Vancouver - 9-2
3 - E: Long Island - 8-3
4 - Montreal - 7-4
5 - London - 7-4
6 - Providence - 7-4
7 - Minnesota - 6-5
8 - Pittsburgh - 6-5
==============
9 - Calgary - 6-5
10 - Boston - 6-5
11 - Ottawa - 6-5
12 - Regina - 4-7
13 - Toronto - 4-7
14 - Edmonton - 3-8
15 - Buffalo - 3-8
16 - Indiana - 3-8
17 - Halifax - 3-8
18 - Winnipeg - 2-9

Power Rankings
1 - Vancouver - 
2 - Louisville -
3 - Long Island +1
4 - Providence -1
5 - London +1
6 - Montreal +2
7 - Pittsburgh +4
8 - Boston -1
9 - Ottawa -4
10 - Minnesota -1
11 - Calgary -1
12 - Buffalo -
13 - Toronto -
14 - Indiana -
15 - Regina -
16 - Halifax -
17 - Winnipeg -
18 - Edmonton -

Week 13 Games
MTL (7-4) @ HFX (3-8) - SEP 14 - 6:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
VAN (9-2) @ MIN (6-5) - SEP 14 - 9:00 PM ET - Friday Night Football
*VAN clinches West Division with Win or Loss by < 16 points + CGY Loss
*VAN clinches Playoff Spot by clinching the West Division or 3 of (PIT, CGY, BOS, OTT) Losses
LDN (7-4) @ IND (3-8) - SEP 15 - 12:00 PM ET
REG (4-7) @ LOU (9-2) - SEP 15 - 3:30 PM ET
*LOU clinches Central Division with Win or LDN Loss
*LOU clinches Playoff Spot clinching the Central Division or 3 of (MIN, PIT, CGY, BOS, OTT) Losses
PRO (7-4) @ CGY (6-5) - SEP 15 - 3:30 PM ET
BOS (6-5) @ OTT (6-5) - SEP 15 - 7:00 PM ET - Saturday Night Football
BUF (3-8) @ TOR (4-7) - SEP 16 - 1:00 PM ET
LI (8-3) @ WPG (2-9) - SEP 16 - 1:00 PM ET
*LI clinches Playoff Spot with Win + 3 of (MIN, PIT, CGY, BOS, OTT) Losses
EDM (3-8) @ PIT (6-5) - SEP 16 - 4:30 PM ET