Bills Record a Safety and Pin 23-9 Loss on Colts : AFC: Buffalo scores two quick touchdowns after Henry Jones sacks Jeff George in the end zone.

L.A. Times Archives

Nov. 22, 1993 12 AM PT

From Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo safety Henry Jones sacked Jeff George in the end zone for a safety to start a 16-point spurt in the second quarter as the Bills beat the Indianapolis Colts, 23-9, Sunday.

“I always try to tell our team that a safety can be a nine-point play,” Buffalo Coach Marv Levy said. “It turned out to be a 16-point play.”

Jones’ safety cut the Colts’ lead to 6-2, and the Bills took the ensuing free kick and scored the go-ahead touchdown.

On the kickoff after that, the Colts lost a fumble that the Bills turned into another touchdown.

The safety came one play after the Colts stopped a Buffalo drive at the Indiananpolis two on an interception by Ray Buchanan. The Bills sent Jones in on a blitz from the right side of their defense--George’s blindside--and the quarterback never saw him.

“They had some momentum,” Jones said. “They had just stopped us at the line and they had the lead, so we really needed a big play at that time. Fortunately, I was able to get it.”

Indianapolis Coach Ted Marchibroda said the Colts were trying to throw deep. “We gambled on that play, tried to go for the home run,” he said.

The Colts (3-7) couldn’t stop the Bills (8-2) after the free kick that followed the safety. Buffalo moved 55 yards, with Thurman Thomas carrying the ball seven times, before Ken Davis went over from the one on fourth down for a 9-6 lead.

On the kickoff after Davis’ touchdown, Richard Harvey forced Clarence Verdin to fumble the kick, and Keith Goganious recovered on the Colts’ 26.

Jones said the recovery was the game’s turning point rather than his safety. “That really gave us momentum,” he said.

Two plays after the recovery, Jim Kelly connected with ex-Colt Billy Brooks on a 23-yard touchdown pass play.

Indianapolis ran the ball effectively in the first 20 minutes, but two drives inside the 10 stalled and Dean Biasucci kicked field goals of 26 and 22 yards.