Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 18, 1993 TAG: 9301180104
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press, Knight-Ridder/Tribune and Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
SMITH RISES TO OCCASION
Held to 3 1/2 sacks in 14 previous games against the Dolphins, Bruce Smith made up for his lack of success against Miami by keying Buffalo's defense in the Bills' 29-10 victory over the Dolphins in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.The former Virginia Tech All-American led the Bills with four unassisted tackles, seven total tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble, despite playing with painfully sore ribs.
"I just think they don't give me my just due," Smith said. He said the Dolphins have double-teamed him in the past, which allows other Bills' defenders to make plays.
"They say my stats haven't been that great against the Miami Dolphins," he said. "While my stats might have not been great, they were turning everybody loose - like Jeff Wright, Phil Hansen and Cornelius Bennett - and they were able to get in there and make some plays."
"If I have to sacrifice myself to have somebody else be on a one-on-one block, that's fine and dandy," Smith said. "Just as long as we win."
Smith said Buffalo's approach to handling Dan Marino was simple. "You just make sure he doesn't step up in the pocket," he said. "Because if he gets started, there's no stopping him."
There was no stopping Smith on Sunday.
"Bruce is the best pass-rusher probably in football," Marino said.
\ ETC.: Dallas' 30-20 victory at San Francisco, coupled with Buffalo's 29-10 win at Miami marked the first time both visiting teams won in the championship games since the 1966 season, when Green Bay won at Dallas 34-27 and Kansas City won at Buffalo 31-7. . . . Jerry Rice's 5-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter gave the 49ers receiver 13 TD receptions in the postseason, an NFL record. Rice also had eight receptions to become the all-time postseason leader in receptions with 75. . . . The Cowboys will become the first team to appear in six Super Bowls. Washington and Miami each have appeared in five. . . . Pete Stoyanovich's 51-yard field goal in the second quarter was the sixth longest in playoff history. He holds the record for the longest, a 58-yarder in the 1990 playoffs against Kansas City. Buffalo kicker Steve Christie made five field goals to tie the game playoff record.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL