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Green Bay vs. Buffalo
8/16/97 - Packers win 35-3 (Preseason)
NOTEWORTHY:
- In recognition of the Packers' victory over the Bills, team President Bob
Harlan was tendered the American Bowl Trophy by Val Pinchbeck, Jr., senior
vice president-broadcasting & national television for the National Football
League, in a postgame ceremony at midfield.
- For the record, the SkyDome, currently the only stadium in the world with
a retractable roof, was opened approximately 1 1/2 hours prior to the 3 p.m.
(CDT) kickoff, then later closed late in the first quarter when word of an
approaching storm was received.
- It takes approximately 24 minutes for the SkyDome machinery to open or
close the retractable roof. The decision on whether to open or leave closed
the "dome" is based largely upon the weather forecast and prevailing
conditions.
- An ecstatic Robert Brooks literally leaped into the air, churning his
legs in exultation, when he was being introduced with the Packers' starting
offensive lineup during the pregame introductions.
- Rookie specialist Ryan Longwell again handled all of the Packers'
placekicking duties when fellow yearling Brett Conway was left behind to
rest his "tight" thigh.
- Longwell has been highly efficient while filling in for the Conway,
making 9 consecutive conversions in as many attempts and all three field
goals he has tried. He also improved his kickoff distance average from the
Oakland to the Buffalo games, averaging 65 yards for 6 kickoffs against the
Bills after averaging just under 61 yards for 8 kickoffs against the
Raiders.
- Travis Jervey made an impressive "debut" on offense, sweeping right end
for an 18-yard gain on his initial rushing attempt of the contest late in
the second quarter.
- Quarterback Doug Pederson collaborated with tight end Jeff Thomason to
produce the Packers' longest play from scrimmage of the preseason early in
the third quarter, hitting Thomason for a 54-yard gain to the Buffalo
16-yard line. Pederson then completed his work-in-progress by finding
Derrick Mayes in the end zone three plays later with a 16-yard strike for
the Packers' fourth touchdown of the game.
- Veteran safety Mike Prior made one of the better special teams plays of
the game late in the second quarter, leaping to bat down a Craig Hentrich
punt which teammate Lamont Hollinquest promptly downed at the Buffalo
one-yard line.
- Rookie wideout Chris Miller pulled off a similar maneuver late in the
third quarter, also downing a Hentrich punt at the Bills' one-yard line.
- Aaron Hayden's 54-yard kickoff return following Buffalo's third quarter
field goal was the Packers' longest KOR of the preseason.
- Aaron Taylor (offense), Gilbert Brown (defense) and Keith McKenzie
(special teams) were the Packers' game captains.
- An elephant, representing the Garden Brothers Circus of Canada
participated in the pregame ceremonies, carrying the game ball to the
center of the field in its trunk for the coin toss. The elephant was
ridden to midfield, with the official coin in hand, by the circus founder,
Ian Garden.
- Former Packers nose tackle Esera Tuaolo sang the "Star Spangled Banner"
during the ceremonies, a function he also had performed while with the
Packers. Louise Pitre, star of "I Love you, You're Perfect, Now Change,"
playing at Toronto's New York Theatre, sang the Canadian National Anthem.
- The American Bowl halftime show featured 500 dancers and gymnasts from
the Toronto area, including teams from the Toronto Police Department and
Toronto media celebrities.
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