Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

This came up because the Bucs had something like 5 rushing attempts last night, which was the lowest total in 87 years. I assumed the ancient game with so few rush attempts would have been one of Davey O'Brien's games with the Eagles, but instead it was the Cardinals rushing only 5 times against the Redskins in a 10-0 in 1933. I was trying to find out what actually happened in this 1933 game that would have caused the Cards to rush only 5 times, but all I could find was a Mike Florio-esque statement of "The Cardinals offense couldn't get it going that day".

The 1933 Cardinals weren't any good. They lost to the equally terrible Reds franchise, and the only team they outgained that year was the Reds. Their best player on offense was RB Joe Lillard (one of two blacks in the NFL), and they were near the bottom of the NFL in pass attempts. It's not like they were passing a lot because they were always behind, so I don't really understand how they could have 5 rushing attempts for an entire game. Were they punting on 2nd down? Did the Redskins and Cliff Battles rack up 50 minutes in time of possession?

Does anyone have insight into this game?

All I could find was this piece from website fenwayparkdiary.com. Seems the Skins really dominated the action, in part because the Cards often chose to punt on second down.


October 22, 1933 ... In a game that packed all the points into the second period, and most of the thrills in the final minutes, the Redskins defeated the Cardinals, 10 to 0 at Fenway Park. The win broke their second place eastern division tie with Brooklyn, who was beaten by the Giants. Only once did the visitors have possession of the ball beyond midfield in the first half, and only one time in the third period. In the final period however, Chicago moved the ball beyond midfield, but each time the result was an intercepted pass.

The Boston scores were well earned, with Cliff Battles fighting his way over for one touchdown, and Jim Musick kicking a 26-yard field goal. The first period was nothing more than a punting contest for each team, but in the second quarter Musick tossed a pass to Cliff Battles who made his way to the Cardinal 19-yard line. A penalty netted five yards, two rushes gained just one yard, and it was third down, four to go on the 13-yard line. Battles burst to the five, was knocked to his knees, picked himself up and hurtled over the goal line. Just before the half, with the ball on the Cardinal's 15 yard line, and time running out, the Skins had to go for a 26-yard field goal. With Apsit holding, Musick put it right down the middle. In the third period, Boston moved the ball twice, only to have the ball intercepted. In the fourth period, Boston intercepted four passes.

Thanks!