1972 San Diego Chargers season

1972 San Diego Chargers season
1972 San Diego Chargers season
Owner	Eugene V. Klein
General manager	Harland Svare
Head coach	Harland Svare
Home stadium	San Diego Stadium
Results
Record	4–9–1
Division place	4th AFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	None
Pro Bowlers	4 WR Gary Garrison; QB John Hadl; DE Deacon Jones; G Walt Sweeney;

The 1972 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's third season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 13th overall. The team failed to improve on their 6–8 record in 1971. The Chargers would get off to a poor start, as they were devoured 34–3 in their season opener at San Francisco. After their week 2 win against the Denver Broncos, the Chargers would play to a 17–17 draw with another cross-state rival, the Oakland Raiders. It was San Diego's fourth tie in 3 seasons (they tied 3 times in 1970). Even after they defeated the Baltimore Colts in the week following the tie, the Bolts would stumble the rest of the year, winning only 2 more games en route to a 4–9–1 season.

This squad featured several players like Duane Thomas, Tim Rossovich, Dave Costa and John Mackey who were unwanted by most of the other NFL teams.^[1]

Offseason

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1972 San Diego Chargers draft
2	36	Pete Lazetich	Defensive end	Stanford
3	61	Bill McClard	Kicker	Arkansas
5	116	Jim Bishop	Tight end	Tennessee Tech
5	130	Harry Gooden	Defensive end	Alcorn State
6	141	Bruce Ward	Guard	San Diego State
9	221	Fran Schmitz	Defensive tackle	St. Norbert
10	246	Lon Kolstad	Linebacker	Wisconsin–Whitewater
11	270	John Turner	Tight end	Long Beach State
12	295	Sam Key	Linebacker	Elon
13	321	Andy Selfridge	Linebacker	Virginia
14	351	John Van Reenen	Defensive end	Washington State
15	376	Charles Neugent	Defensive back	Tuskegee
16	401	James Shaw	Defensive back	Tulsa
17	423	Oscar Dragon	Running back	Arizona State University
17	426	Bob Tackett	Tackle	Texas at El Paso
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

**1972 San Diego Chargers roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 13 Wayne Clark 21 John Hadl Running backs (RB) 34 Oscar Dragon 35 Cid Edwards FB 20 Mike Garrett 42 Jesse Taylor 38 Lee White Wide receivers (WR) 83 Mike Carter 28 Chuck Dicus 27 Gary Garrison 46 John Sykes 84 Dave Williams Tight ends (TE) 81 John Andrews 89 John Mackey 88 Pettis Norman		Offensive linemen (OL) 55 Carl Mauck C 76 Terry Owens T 78 Walt Sweeney G 70 Russ Washington T 54 Ralph Wenzel G 63 Doug Wilkerson G 79 Ernie Wright T Defensive linemen (DL) 87 Lionel Aldridge DE 64 Dave Costa DT 77 Ron East DT 80 Kevin Hardy DT 75 Deacon Jones DE 68 Greg Wojcik DT		Linebackers (LB) 60 Bob Babich 59 Pete Barnes 50 Lee Roy Caffey 66 Rick Redman 82 Tim Rossovich Defensive backs (DB) 40 Joe Beauchamp CB 35 Chuck Detwiler 39 Lenny Dunlap CB 44 Chris Fletcher FS 24 Bob Howard CB 23 Ray Jones 30 Bryant Salter SS Special teams (ST) 10 Bill McClard K 29 Dennis Partee P		Reserve 25 Jerry LeVias WR (IR) 53 Mel Rogers LB (IR) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	August 5	Atlanta Falcons	W 30–7	1–0	San Diego Stadium
2	August 12	at Minnesota Vikings	L 13–24	1–1	Metropolitan Stadium
3	August 19	San Francisco 49ers	W 17–16	2–1	San Diego Stadium
4	August 26	at New Orleans Saints	W 16–14	3–1	Tulane Stadium
5	September 2	Los Angeles Rams	W 14–13	4–1	San Diego Stadium
6	September 6	New York Jets	T 20–20	4–1–1	San Diego Stadium

^[2]

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 17	at San Francisco 49ers	L 3–34	0–1	Candlestick Park	59,438	Recap
2	September 24	Denver Broncos	W 37–14	1–1	San Diego Stadium	49,048	Recap
3	October 1	at Oakland Raiders	T 17–17	1–1–1	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	53,455	Recap
4	October 8	at Baltimore Colts	W 23–20	2–1–1	Memorial Stadium	55,459	Recap
5	October 15	at Miami Dolphins	L 10–24	2–2–1	Miami Orange Bowl	80,010	Recap
6	October 22	at Detroit Lions	L 20–34	2–3–1	Tiger Stadium	54,371	Recap
7	October 29	Kansas City Chiefs	L 14–26	2–4–1	San Diego Stadium	54,533	Recap
8	November 5	Dallas Cowboys	L 28–34	2–5–1	San Diego Stadium	54,476	Recap
9	November 13	Cleveland Browns	L 17–21	2–6–1	San Diego Stadium	54,205	Recap
10	November 19	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 27–17	3–6–1	Arrowhead Stadium	79,011	Recap
11	November 26	Houston Oilers	W 34–20	4–6–1	San Diego Stadium	46,289	Recap
12	December 3	Oakland Raiders	L 19–21	4–7–1	San Diego Stadium	54,611	Recap
13	December 10	at Denver Broncos	L 13–38	4–8–1	Mile High Stadium	51,478	Recap
14	December 17	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 2–24	4–9–1	San Diego Stadium	52,873	Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 1: San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	0	0	0	3
49ers	7	17	7	3	34

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

Date: September 17
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 59 °F (15.0 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 59,438
Referee: Bernie Ulman
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SF – Gene Washington 13-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 8:28. 49ers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards.
SDG – Dennis Partee 30-yard field goal, 2:06. 49ers 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:22.

Second quarter

SF – Bruce Gossett 43-yard field goal, 12:10. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 13 plays, 39 yards, 4:56.
SF – Gene Washington 23-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 3:23. 49ers 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:13.
SF – Gene Washington 45-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick), 0:42. 49ers 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 61 yards, 0:38.

Third quarter

SF – Jimmy Thomas 4-yard run (Bruce Gossett kick), 7:36. 49ers 31–3. Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:07.

Fourth quarter

SF – Bruce Gossett 20-yard field goal, 10:28. 49ers 34–3. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:12.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 11/25, 109 yards, 2 INT
SF – John Brodie – 11/19, 156 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Mike Garrett – 19 rushes, 80 yards
SF – Jimmy Thomas – 13 rushes, 64 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Dave Williams – 3 receptions, 83 yards
SF – Gene Washington – 8 receptions, 140 yards, 3 TD

Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 2: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	0	0	7	14
Chargers	13	21	0	3	37

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: September 24
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 13 mph
Game attendance: 49,048
Referee: Jim Tunney
Box score

Game information

First quarter

DEN – Randy Montgomery 94-yard kickoff return (Jim Turner kick), 14:45. Broncos 7–0.
SDG – Dennis Partee 45-yard field goal, 9:29. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 40 yards, 5:16.
SDG – Dennis Partee 11-yard field goal, 6:24. Broncos 7–6. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:22.
SDG – Mike Garrett 41-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:42. Chargers 13–7. Drive: 3 plays, 57 yards, 0:28.

Second quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 9-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:21. Chargers 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 4:21.
SDG – Dave Williams 31-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:05. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 1:47.
SDG – Joe Beauchamp 47-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 2:07. Chargers 34–7.

Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

DEN – Steve Ramsey 8-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Chargers 34–14. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 4:14.
SDG – Bill McClard 47-yard field goal, 0:55. Chargers 37–14. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 3:52.

Top passers

DEN – Steve Ramsey – 14/25, 192 yards, 3 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 15/32, 188 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

DEN – Fran Lynch – 5 rushes, 43 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 21 rushes, 104 yards, TD

Top receivers

DEN – Rod Sherman – 6 receptions, 95 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 69 yards, TD

Week 3: at Oakland Raiders

Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	7	0	10	17
Raiders	14	0	0	3	17

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Date: October 1
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 83%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 53,455
Referee: Dick Jorgensen
Box score

Game information

First quarter

OAK – Raymond Chester 23-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 7:26. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:16.
OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 3:20. Raiders 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 3:10.

Second quarter

SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 2:10. Raiders 14–7. Drive: 12 plays, 55 yards, 6:54.

Third quarter

No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Carl Mauck offensive fumble recovery in end zone (Dennis Partee kick), 14:12. Tied 14–14. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:18.
SDG – Dennis Partee 41-yard field goal, 7:02. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 5:43.
OAK – George Blanda 40-yard field goal, 4:28. Tied 17–17. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:34.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 9/13, 156 yards, INT
OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/26, 152 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 18 rushes, 97 yards, TD
OAK – Marv Hubbard – 16 rushes, 58 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 100 yards
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 5 receptions, 75 yards

Week 4: at Baltimore Colts

Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Baltimore Colts – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	7	0	10	17
Colts	14	0	0	3	17

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Date: October 8
Game time: 2:00 p.m. PDT
Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 15 mph
Game attendance: 55,459
Referee: Fred Wyant
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 7:40. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:20.

Second quarter

BAL – Jim O'Brien 22-yard field goal, 7:28. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 3:55.
SDG – Dennis Partee 51-yard field goal, 2:55. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 4:33.

Third quarter

BAL – Don Nottingham 13-yard run (Jim O'Brien kick), 10:19. Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:41.
BAL – Jim O'Brien 20-yard field goal, 6:06. Colts 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:08.
BAL – Don Nottingham 3-yard run (Jim O'Brien kick), 0:11. Colts 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:39.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Mike Garrett 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:05. Colts 20–17. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 1:52.
SDG – Dennis Partee 40-yard field goal, 2:14. Tied 20–20. Drive: 7 plays, 12 yards, 1:46.
SDG – Dennis Partee 28-yard field goal, 0:04. Chargers 23–20. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 1:04.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 12/20, 148 yards, 3 INT
BAL – Johnny Unitas – 14/22, 130 yards

Top rushers

SDG – Mike Garrett – 27 rushes, 132 yards, 2 TD
BAL – Don Nottingham – 17 rushes, 85 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 59 yards
BAL – Cotton Speyrer – 3 receptions, 34 yards

Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	0	0	7	10
Dolphins	3	14	7	0	24

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Date: October 15
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 78 °F (25.6 °C), relative humidity 72%, wind 10 mph
Game attendance: 80,010
Referee: Chuck Heberling
Box score

Game information

First quarter

MIA – Garo Yepremian 37-yard field goal, 5:18. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 2:00.
SDG – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal, 0:56. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 4:22.

Second quarter

MIA – Dick Anderson 35-yard fumble return (Garo Yepremian kick), 13:51. Dolphins 10–3.
MIA – Howard Twilley 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick), 4:25. Dolphins 17–3. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 2:10.

Third quarter

MIA – Paul Warfield 19-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick), 9:25. Dolphins 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 46 yards, 5:35.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Cid Edwards 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Bill McClard kick), 4:56. Dolphins 24–10. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:58.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 12/22, 117 yards, TD, 2 INT
MIA – Earl Morrall – 8/10, 86 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

SDG – Mike Garrett – 22 rushes, 68 yards
MIA – Larry Csonka – 13 rushes, 70 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 4 receptions, 39 yards, TD
MIA – Howard Twilley – 2 receptions, 41 yards, TD

Week 6: at Detroit Lions

Week 6: San Diego Chargers at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	6	0	0	14	20
Lions	6	7	14	7	34

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

Date: October 22
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 47 °F (8.3 °C), relative humidity 96%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 54,371
Box score

Game information

First quarter

DET – Errol Mann 25-yard field goal, 8:49. Lions 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 49 yards, 4:17.
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (kick blocked), 1:55. Chargers 6–3. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 6:54.
DET – Errol Mann 41-yard field goal, 0:47. Tied 6–6. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:08.

Second quarter

DET – Mel Farr 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 6:54. Lions 13–6. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 7:53.

Third quarter

DET – Mel Farr 2-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 7:55. Lions 20–6. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 7:05.
DET – Larry Walton 24-yard pass from Greg Landry (Errol Mann kick), 4:21. Lions 27–6. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 2:04.

Fourth quarter

DET – Greg Landry 5-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 12:03. Lions 34–6. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 5:16.
SDG – Gary Garrison 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 10:08. Lions 34–13. Drive: 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:55.
SDG – Gary Garrison 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 6:40. Lions 34–20. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 0:56.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 12/27, 161 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
DET – Greg Landry – 12/24, 151 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 9 rushes, 42 yards, TD
DET – Mel Farr – 22 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 7 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD
DET – Larry Walton – 7 receptions, 101 yards, TD

Week 7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	3	10	13	26
Chargers	0	7	0	7	14

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: October 29
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 62 °F (16.7 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 8 mph
Game attendance: 54,533
Referee: Norm Schachter
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 33-yard field goal, 8:52. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 16 plays, 54 yards, 9:05.
SDG – Mike Garrett 27-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:41. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 5:11.

Third quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 50-yard field goal, 12:37. Chargers 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 2:23.
KAN – Ed Podolak 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:40. Chiefs 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 3:18.

Fourth quarter

KAN – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal, 9:20. Chiefs 16–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:46.
SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 3:17. Chiefs 16–14. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 6:03.
KAN – Robert West 8-yard offensive fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:49. Chiefs 23–14. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:28.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal, 0:31. Chiefs 26–14. Drive: 4 plays, -5 yards, 0:40.

Top passers

KAN – Len Dawson – 14/27, 154 yards, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 18/36, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

KAN – Ed Podolak – 18 rushes, 71 yards, TD
SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 55 yards

Top receivers

KAN – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 86 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 7 receptions, 93 yards

Week 8: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 8: Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	10	14	7	3	34
Chargers	0	0	7	21	28

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: November 5
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), relative humidity 75%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 54,476
Referee: Bernie Ulman
Box score

Game information

First quarter

DAL – Mike Montgomery 54-yard fumble return (Toni Fritsch kick), 13:16. Cowboys 7–0.
DAL – Toni Fritsch 25-yard field goal, 7:32. Cowboys 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:39.

Second quarter

DAL – Walt Garrison 9-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 10:25. Cowboys 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 2:22.
DAL – Mike Ditka 1-yard pass from Craig Morton (Toni Fritsch kick), 0:43. Cowboys 24–0. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 3:26.

Third quarter

DAL – Craig Morton 7-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 6:31. Cowboys 31–0. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 3:47.
SDG – Chuck Dicus 46-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:56. Cowboys 31–7. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:35.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 42-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:39. Cowboys 31–14. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:26.
SDG – Chuck Dicus 20-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 10:09. Cowboys 31–21. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 1:36.
DAL – Toni Fritsch 31-yard field goal, 3:47. Cowboys 34–21. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 6:22.
SDG – Dave Williams 47-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:00. Cowboys 34–28. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards.

Top passers

DAL – Craig Morton – 15/21, 161 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 11/26, 211 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

DAL – Walt Garrison – 13 rushes, 44 yards, TD
SDG – Mike Garrett – 17 rushes, 88 yards

Top receivers

DAL – Ron Sellers – 3 receptions, 79 yards
SDG – Chuck Dicus – 4 receptions, 77 yards, 2 TD

Week 9: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 9: Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	7	0	14	21
Chargers	0	3	7	7	17

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: November 13
Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 58 °F (14.4 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 6 mph
Game attendance: 54,205
Box score

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

SDG – Dennis Partee 26-yard field goal. Chargers 3–0.
CLE – Mike Phipps 1-yard run (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 7–3.

Third quarter

SDG – Cid Edwards 4-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 10–7.

Fourth quarter

CLE – Ken Brown 2-yard run (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 14–10.
SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 17–14.
CLE – Frank Pitts 38-yard pass from Mike Phipps (Don Cockroft kick). Browns 21–17.

Top passers

CLE – Mike Phipps – 13/21, 186 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 12/21, 140 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

CLE – Leroy Kelly – 17 rushes, 67 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 17 rushes, 91 yards

Top receivers

CLE – Frank Pitts – 5 receptions, 96 yards, TD
SDG – Pettis Norman – 3 receptions, 47 yards

Week 10: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 10: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	17	3	0	27
Chiefs	7	0	3	7	17

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Date: November 19
Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
Game weather: 32 °F (0.0 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 23
Game attendance: 79,011
Referee: Jack Reader
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:54. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 63 yards, 1:38.
KAN – Wendell Hayes 4-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:08. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 4:46.

Second quarter

SDG – Dennis Partee 46-yard field goal, 10:37. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 3:08.
SDG – John Hadl 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 6:31. Chargers 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 4:06.
SDG – Gary Garrison 20-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:22. Chargers 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:26.

Third quarter

SDG – Dennis Partee 24-yard field goal, 11:17. Chargers 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:14.
KAN – Jan Stenerud 28-yard field goal, 1:47. Chargers 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:37.

Fourth quarter

KAN – Robert West 36-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 4:11. Chargers 27–17. Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 4:14.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 17/28, 216 yards, TD
KAN – Mike Livingston – 19/30, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 12 rushes, 62 yards
KAN – Ed Podolak – 18 rushes, 71 yards, TD

Top receivers

SDG – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 82 yards
KAN – Mike Adamle – 9 receptions, 34 yards

Week 11: vs. Houston Oilers

Week 11: Houston Oilers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	3	0	17	20
Chargers	10	10	7	7	34

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: November 26
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 61 °F (16.1 °C), relative humidity 51%, wind 7 mph
Game attendance: 46,289
Box score

Game information

First quarter

SDG – Jesse Taylor blocked punt recovery in end zone (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 7–0.
SDG – Dennis Partee 31-yard field goal. Chargers 10–0.

Second quarter

HOU – Skip Butler 49-yard field goal. Chargers 10–3.
SDG – Dennis Partee 11-yard field goal. Chargers 13–3.
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 20–3.

Third quarter

SDG – Cid Edwards 31-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 27–3.

Fourth quarter

HOU – Skip Butler 47-yard field goal. Chargers 27–6.
SDG – Dave Williams 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 34–6.
HOU – Rhett Dawson 3-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Skip Butler kick). Chargers 34–13.
HOU – Fred Willis 7-yard pass from Kent Nix (Skip Butler kick). Chargers 34–20.

Top passers

HOU – Dan Pastorini – 17/35, 166 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 13/24, 141 yards, TD

Top rushers

HOU – Paul Robinson – 17 rushes, 67 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 17 rushes, 102 yards

Top receivers

HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 52 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 44 yards

Week 12: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 12: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	7	7	0	7	21
Chargers	0	10	6	3	19

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 3
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 71%, wind 9 mph
Game attendance: 54,611
Referee: Ed Marion
Box score

Game information

First quarter

OAK – Raymond Chester 16-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 5:01. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 58 yards, 5:39.

Second quarter

SDG – Dennis Partee 15-yard field goal, 14:14. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 5:47.
SDG – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:00. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 6:28.
OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 36-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 1:49. Raiders 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:11.

Third quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 52-yard pass from John Hadl (kick blocked), 6:09. Chargers 16–14. Drive: 1 play, 52 yards, 0:08.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Dennis Partee 18-yard field goal, 12:31. Chargers 19–14. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 2:43.
OAK – Charlie Smith 9-yard run (George Blanda kick), 1:18. Raiders 21–19. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:13.

Top passers

OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 14/23, 223 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
SDG – John Hadl – 15/26, 221 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

OAK – Marv Hubbard – 15 rushes, 68 yards
SDG – Mike Garrett – 28 rushes, 145 yards

Top receivers

OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 71 yards
SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 79 yards, TD

Week 13: at Denver Broncos

Week 13: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	3	3	7	13
Broncos	7	14	17	0	38

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Date: December 10
Game time: 12:00 p.m. MST
Game weather: 7 °F (−13.9 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 7 mph, wind chill -20
Game attendance: 51,478
Box score

Game information

First quarter

DEN – Floyd Little 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 7–0.

Second quarter

SDG – Bill McClard 26-yard field goal. Broncos 7–3.
DEN – Joe Dawkins 4-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 14–3.
DEN – Charlie Greer 65-yard punt return (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 21–3.

Third quarter

SDG – Bill McClard 48-yard field goal, 9:29. Broncos 21–6.
DEN – Jim Turner 12-yard field goal, 4:47. Broncos 24–6.
DEN – Haven Moses 11-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Broncos 31–6.
DEN – Haven Moses 7-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick), 4:47. Broncos 38–6.

Fourth quarter

SDG – Gary Garrison 23-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:21. Broncos 38–13.

Top passers

SDG – John Hadl – 22/44, 288 yards, TD, 2 INT
DEN – Charley Johnson – 6/10, 85 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 59 yards
DEN – Jim Krieg – 1 rush, 63 yards

Top receivers

SDG – Gary Garrison – 10 receptions, 156 yards, TD
DEN – Haven Moses – 3 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD

Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	7	3	7	24
Chargers	2	0	0	0	2

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Date: December 17
Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 60 °F (15.6 °C), relative humidity 37%, wind 6 mph
Game attendance: 52,873
Referee: Pat Haggerty
Box score

Game information

First quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 11:51. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 1:19.
SDG – Safety, Dave Costa sacked Terry Bradshaw in end zone, 6:42. Steelers 7–2.

Second quarter

PIT – John Fuqua 2-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 6:05. Steelers 14–2. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 1:29.

Third quarter

PIT – Roy Gerela 26-yard field goal, 1:57. Steelers 17–2. Drive: 6 plays, 13 yards, 1:26.

Fourth quarter

PIT – Ron Shanklin 17-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick), 6:03. Steelers 24–2. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 4:01.

Top passers

PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 12/23, 152 yards, TD, INT
SDG – John Hadl – 11/26, 122 yards, 4 INT

Top rushers

PIT – John Fuqua – 17 rushes, 51 yards, TD
SDG – Cid Edwards – 13 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

PIT – John Fuqua – 3 receptions, 50 yards
SDG – Cid Edwards – 3 receptions, 42 yards

Standings

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Oakland Raiders	10	3	1	.750	3–2–1	7–3–1	365	248	W6
Kansas City Chiefs	8	6	0	.571	4–2	6–5	287	254	W3
Denver Broncos	5	9	0	.357	2–4	4–6	325	350	W2
	4	9	1	.321	2–3–1	4–6–1	264	344	L3

Notable events

In their last game for the year, the Chargers became the thirty-third team in the NFL or leagues that merged with the NFL to score only a safety in a full game. This unusual occurrence has been repeated only six times since: by the 1980 Buffalo Bills, the 1983 Minnesota Vikings, the 1993 Cincinnati Bengals, the 2011 Atlanta Falcons (the only team to do so in a playoff game), the 2013 Jacksonville Jaguars, and the 2024 Houston Texans.

Awards

Deacon Jones, John Hadl, Walt Sweeney and Gary Garrison were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad;^[3] No Chargers were named All-Pro by the Associated Press, nor were any named the best in his Conference.^[4]

References

^ Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times: John Mackey's Week," The New York Times, Tuesday, September 19, 1972. Retrieved October 22, 2020
^ "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.
^ "1972 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
^ "1972 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.

[1] Anderson, Dave. "Sports of The Times: John Mackey's Week," The New York Times, Tuesday, September 19, 1972. Retrieved October 22, 2020

[2] "2021 Los Angeles Chargers Media Guide". chargers.com.

[3] "1972 NFL Pro Bowlers". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.

[4] "1972 NFL All-Pros". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.

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Los Angeles Chargers
Founded in 1960 Played in San Diego (1961–2016) Based in Inglewood, California Headquartered in El Segundo, California
Franchise	Franchise History in San Diego NFL in Los Angeles Coaches Seasons All-time roster Retired numbers Hall of Fame Anniversary teams 40th 50th Starting quarterbacks First-round draft picks
Stadiums	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Balboa Stadium San Diego Stadium San Diego stadium proposals Dignity Health Sports Park SoFi Stadium
Culture	Fearsome Foursome Air Coryell Alex Spanos "San Diego Super Chargers" Los Angeles Charger Girls Bruise Brothers
Lore	Holy Roller Epic in Miami Freezer Bowl Snowball Game 2006 playoff game vs. New England Patriots
Rivalries	Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders
Wild card berths (5)	1995 2013 2018 2022 2024
Division championships (15)	1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 1979 1980 1981 1992 1994 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009
Conference championships (1)	1994
League championships (1)	1963
Media	Broadcasters KYSR Matt "Money" Smith
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: West Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)
Category

Los Angeles Chargers seasons
Played in San Diego (1961–2016)
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) victory Italics indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) appearance