Today in Bills stadium history: Oct. 12

In the sunset season for the concrete cathedral so often overflowed with as many as 80,000 passionate patrons, WIVB News 4 Buffalo is taking a daily look back over 400 games played in the Orchard Park stadium’s 52 years.

Oct. 12

1980 — Colts 17, Bills 12 — Buffalo was the only unbeaten team in the NFL before this dreary performance on a rainy day at sold-out Rich Stadium. The Bills punted on six of eight drives through the first three quarters, and one of those Greg Cater punts was shanked 17 yards leading to a Colts field goal. Joe Ferguson was inefficient in completing 17 of 36 passes for 210 yards with an interception on the game’s final pass. Joe Cribbs rushed for 76 yards and Roosevelt Leaks had 56 yards and a touchdown. 

1981 — Bills 31, Dolphins 21 — After the Bills ended their decade-long losing streak the year prior, the Monday Night Football spotlight came to Orchard Park for this game between the reigning AFC East champions and a Dolphins team that was unbeaten coming in. With a Talkin’ Proud crowd of 78,576, Joe Ferguson was fabulous passing for 338 yards and three touchdowns, two going to Jerry Butler. Joe Cribbs had 126 yards from scrimmage and the other TD reception, Roosevelt Leaks also ran for a score, the defense intercepted Miami quarterback Don Strock four times, and Buffalo led 31-7 at halftime on its way to a 4-2 record.

2014 — Patriots 37, Bills 22 — The Pegula family was welcomed with One Buffalo fanfare during a pregame ceremony after finalizing purchase of the franchise earlier that week, but it was Tom Brady who asserted his ownership stake on this day passing for 361 yards and four touchdowns to reclaim the division lead. Kyle Orton had 299 yards passing for the Bills with touchdowns to Robert Woods and Chris Hogan. Orton turned the ball over twice however, and C.J. Spiller also lost a fumble while Buffalo’s defense didn’t have any takeaways. Attendance at Ralph Wilson Stadium was 70,185.