Buccaneers vs. Denver Broncos 
LOSS - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13 Denver Broncos 48
With the score tied 10–10, Buccaneer linebacker Cal Peterson suffered a career-ending injury untouched when his knee gave out while running in an interception for what would have been a touchdown.
Lee Roy Selmon also suffered a season-ending knee injury.
After taking a 13–10 lead on a Dave Green field goal, the injury-riddled Buccaneers were doomed by an 18½ minute span in which the Broncos scored 38 points. Coach McKay accused Broncos coach John Ralston of running up the score and stormed off of the field, refusing to shake hands with him after the game. He later referred to Ralston as a “horse’s ass” and said, “I don’t like any part of him. His day is coming”. Ralston responded by pointing out that most of the Broncos points came on fumble recoveries and interceptions. McKay later revealed his thoughts on the team’s likely high draft position, saying “This team needs a catalyst. Ricky Bell can run through a wall”.
GAMEDAY BRIEF
OFFICALS
- REFEREE: Don Wedge
- UMPIRE: Frank Sinkovitz
- LINE JUDGE: Dean Look
- HEAD LINSMAN: Gill Mace
- FIELD JUDGE: Bill O'Brien
- BACK JUDGE: Bob Rice
SCORING
- BRONCOS: 10:05-1Q Turner FG19
- BRONCOS: 02:29-1Q Armstrong 36 pass from Ramsey (Turner kick)
- BUCCANEERS: 12:58-2Q Carter 3 run (Green kick)
- BUCCANEERS: 06:51-2Q Green FG45
- BUCCANEERS: 04:07-3Q Green FG35
- BRONCOS: 03:07-3Q Moses 71 pass from Ramsey (Turner kick)
- BRONCOS: 02:11-3Q Gradishar 31 interception return (Turner kick)
- BRONCOS: 12:44-4Q Turner FG33
- BRONCOS: 11:03-4Q Perrin 9 run (Turner kick)
- BRONCOS: 10:04-4Q Rowser 32 interception return (Turner kick)
- BRONCOS: 09:34-4Q Poltl 21 fumble return (Turner kick)
STARTERS OFFENSE
- WR: #89 J. McKay
- LT: #71 S. Young
- LG: #72 H. Fest
- C: #51 D. Ryczek
- RG: #79 S. Wilson
- RT: #74 M. Current
- TE: #86 B. Moore
- WR: #85 M. Owens
- QB: #11 S. Sperrier
- RB: #43 E. Williams
- RB: #32 L. Carter
STARTERS DEFENSE
- LE: #78 C. Rudolph
- LT: #76 D. Pear
- RT: #63 L. Selmon
- RE: #66 P. Toomey
- LLB: #30 J. Gunn
- MLB: #56 B. Cooper
- RLB: #54 R. Wood
- LCB: #40 M. Washington
- RCB: #46 D. Reese
- LS: #25 C. Jorden
- RS: #28 K. Stone
SUBSTITUTIONS
- 4 Green, 18 Dickinson, 19 Johnson, 22 McNeill, 26 Davis, 27 Davis, 33 Cotney, 35 DuBose, 44 Moore, 52 Reese, 53 Ball, 55 Hunt, 58 Peterson, 61 Selmon, 64 Robinson, 67 Alward, 70 Young, 77 Little, 80 Novak, 82 Pagac, 84 Douglas, 88 Smith
DID NOT PLAY
- none.
INACTIVE
- 5 Hanratty
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
- BUCCANEERS: Carter 16-39, Johnson 5-22, Williams 5-20, Spurrier 3-19, Dickinson 3-15, McNeill 1-(-3).
- BRONCOS: Armstrong 18-116, Kiick 6-18, Keyworth 7-17, Perrin 3-14, Ramsey 3-10, Odoms 1-9, Weese 1-8.
PASSING
- BUCCANEERS: Spurrier 32-16-131-1-0, Dickinson 5-0-0-1-0.
- BRONCOS: Ramsey 18-9-200-2-2, Weese 3-1-28-0-0.
RECIEVING
- BUCCANEERS: B.Moore 5-43, Owens 3-41, Williams 3-12, McKay 2-26, Carter 1-4, McNeill 1-3, DuBose 1-2.
- BRONCOS: Armstrong 3-64, Odoms 3-60, Moses 2-88, Keyworth 2-16.
INTERCEPTIONS
- BUCCANEERS: C.Peterson 1-15, Jordan 1-10.
- BRONCOS: Gradishar 1-31, Rowser 1-32.
KICK RETURNS
- BUCCANEERS: McNeil 2-67, Douglas 2-37, Johnson 1-20.
- BRONCOS: Perrin 3-101, Franckowiak 1-14.
PUNT RETURNS
- BUCCANEERS: Reece 1-4.
- BRONCOS: Upchurch 4-74, Schultz 0-0.
SACKS
- BUCCANEERS: D.Selmon 1-6.
- BRONCOS: Hammond 1-2, Smith 1-7.
