THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 28, 1996 TAG: 9610280127
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 74 lines
The good: RB Terry Allen running right, cornerback Tom Carter
covering deep, Brian Mitchell's punt and kickoff returns.
The bad: The tackling against Colts QB Jim Harbaugh. He slipped
tackles as though he'd painted his jersey with melted butter.
The ugly: Colts DE Richard Dent throwing Redskins TE Scott
Galbraith to the ground and sucker-punching him after Galbraith
knocked him down on Scott Blanton's first-quarter field goal. Dent
was ejected.
Turning point: The Redskins were clinging to a 17-13 lead in the
third quarter when Brian Mitchell returned Chris Gardocki's 48-yard
punt 71 yards to the Indianapolis 1. Two plays later, Allen scored
and the rout was on.
And don't forget: Three plays before the punt, the Colts
converted a second-and-21 when Harbaugh hit Marvin Harrison for 22
yards. But it was nullified by an illegal-block penalty against Doug
Widell. Instead of a first down, Indy faced second-and-30.
Unsung heroes: Start with Redskins FB Marc Logan, who caught
three passes for 30 yards and carried five times for an 8.6-yard
average. After a rough start, Joe Patton, moved from tackle to guard
last week, negated Colts DT Tony Siragusa.
Numbers crunching: Allen now has six touchdowns in two weeks, the
first time in his career he has had back-to-back three-touchdown
games. . . . The Colts had surrendered just 85.5 yards rushing a
game. Washington nailed them for 215. . . . Gus Frerotte's 72
percent completion rate (18 of 25 attempts) was far and away his
career best. . . . Ex-VMI star Mark Stock had five kickoff returns
and a 13-yard pass reception for the Colts.
Injuries: RB Terry Allen (sprained left wrist). He had X-rays
after the game, which were negative. Others: CB Tom Carter (bruised
left patella), DE Tony Woods (bruised left knee), RB William Bell
(sprained right elbow) and G Joe Patton (sprained right shoulder).
Next opponent: Buffalo Bills, Sunday, 4 p.m., Rich Stadium,
Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills (5-3) lost 28-25 at New England Sunday
night, falling into a three-way AFC East tie with the Patriots and
Indianapolis.
- JIM DUCIBELLA
Skins Report Card
Offensive line A The Redskins rushed for 215 yards and Gus
Frerotte was sacked just once. Best effort of the year, against a
quality opponent.
Receivers A Eight different players caught passes -
including Michael Westbrook, who made a positive contribution with a
big third-down conversion.
Running backs A Terry Allen had 124 yards, Marc Logan
added 43. Washington RBs averaged 5.8 yards per carry.
Quarterback A Frerotte missed one throw the whole game,
just overthrowing a wide-open Jamie Asher. Otherwise, he threw more
pinpoint passes into tight coverage than at any time since becoming
a pro.
Defensive line B Missing two starters, unit put forth
valiant effort containing Marshall Faulk (53 yards) and chasing QB
Jim Harbaugh all over the field.
Linebackers B Ken Harvey had one of the game's biggest
plays, forcing Harbaugh to fumble with Indy in Washington territory
and driving in the fourth quarter.
Secondary B Colts kept trying to beat Tom Carter
deep; he thwarted them every time. S Stanley Richard had some big
shots and a near interception in the Washington end zone.
Special teams A+ Brian Mitchell had a 43-yard kickoff
return to start the game, and his 71-yard punt return in the third
quarter was the play of the game. Coverage was solid, K Scott
Blanton and P Matt Turk strong.
Coaching A Norv Turner started the game by working
the corners with short passes that softened the middle for Allen to
run through. Strong gameplan, well executed. by CNB