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. 15
1995 — Bills 27, Seahawks 21 — Bill Brooks filled in well for an injured Andre Reed with 109 yards receiving and two touchdowns, second-year tight end Lonnie Johnson chipped in 74 yards and caught a third TD pass from Jim Kelly (275 yards) and Buffalo improved to 5-1 for the fifth time in eight years, a record the Bills have achieved twice in Josh Allen’s eight seasons. Bryce Paup had two of the Bills’ four sacks while Jeff Burris, Kurt Schulz and Thomas Smith intercepted Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer, the No. 2 pick in the draft two years prior. Attendance at Rich Stadium was 74,362.
2000 — Bills 27, Chargers 24 (OT) — The crowd was 72,351 for Buffalo’s wild comeback win against a winless Chargers opponent. Trailing 24-10 late in the third quarter, Rob Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Shawn Bryson, and led a 69-yard drive in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter (though a game-losing interception slipped through Junior Seau’s hands) setting Steve Christie’s tying field goal from short range. Johnson would then separate his shoulder on a Neil Smith hit early in OT, and after Henry Jones’ intercepted Jim Harbaugh, it was Doug Flutie putting the Bills (3-3) in position for Christie’s winning kick from 46 yards out. Eric Moulds caught 11 passes for 170 yards, Sammy Morris scored on a 32-yard run and lineman Jerry Ostrowski recovered a Jonathan Linton fumble for the only touchdown of his eight-year career.
2023 — Bills 14, Giants 9 — Josh Allen led two late touchdown drives after getting shut out for three quarters and the Bills held on against a Giants team with old friends Tyrod Taylor at quarterback and Brian Daboll coaching. Taylor had a chance to win the game on the final play but his pass from the 1-yard line bounced off tight end Darren Waller’s hand. Buffalo was favored by two touchdowns but got outgained 317 yards to 297 and committed the only two turnovers of the game. Stefon Diggs caught 10 passes for 100 yards had 71 yards on 14 carries. Attendance at Highmark Stadium was 70,515, and the Bills moved to 4-2 after losing the week before in London.
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.