This date in Bills stadium history: Sept. 16

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.

September 16

1974 — Bills 21, Raiders 20 — Buffalo’s first Monday Night Football win was a thrilling affair for both the 80,020 present at Rich Stadium and the national television audience. With helmets sporting the Bills’ new charging bison emblem, O.J. Simpson, after rushing for 2,000 yards the year before, started a new season with 78 yards on 12 carries in the first half before getting hurt. Joe Ferguson had three touchdown passes, two going to Ahmad Rashad in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter. Raiders kicker George Blanda turned 47 at midnight, moments before missing a 50-yard field goal attempt for the win.

1982 — Bills 23, Vikings 22 — Joe Ferguson led the Bills back from a 19-0 deficit in a Thursday Night Football game broadcast by ABC but blacked out on local TV because Rich Stadium was not sold out. Ferguson had 330 yards passing with touchdown passes to Jerry Butler (twice) and Frank Lewis. With running back Joe Cribbs holding out, Roosevelt Leaks and Curtis Brown combined for 136 yards rushing. Rashad returned after making four Pro Bowls in seven years with Minnesota but failed to have a reception this evening of his final NFL season. Buffalo improved to 2-0 with its second home win in five days but would not play here again until Nov. 21 due to the NFL players strike. The Bills would win two of their three remaining home games while losing all four on the road to finish with a 4-5 record.

2012 — Bills 35, Chiefs 17 — After opening the last season with Chan Gailey at coach and Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback with a blowout loss on the road against Rex Ryan’s Jets, the Bills put forth a strong showing in the home opener for the 69,402 at The Ralph. C.J. Spiller had 170 total yards and two early touchdowns, Fitzpatrick threw TDs to Stevie Johnson and Scott Chandler, and Leodis McKelvin returned a punt 88 yards for a score that gave Buffalo a 35-3 lead in the third quarter. 

2018 — Chargers 31, Bills 20 — Josh Allen’s first NFL start and first real game in the stadium sputtered early on but had some highlights. Allen finished 18 of 33 passing for 245 yards and a late touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin along with two interceptions. Allen also took five sacks, losing more yardage than he gained rushing. Philip Rivers threw for 256 yards and three TDs in leading the Chargers to a 28-6 lead at halftime — when Bills cornerback Vontae Davis decided to retire from football.