1968 Buffalo Bills

1968 Buffalo Bills season
Head Coach	Joe Collier (0-2-0) Harvey Johnson (1-10-1)
Home Field	War Memorial Stadium
Results
Record	1-12-1
Place	5th in AFL East
Playoff Finish	Did not qualify for playoffs
Timeline
Previous Season	Next Season
1967	1969

The 1968 Buffalo Bills went 1-12-1 and finished last in the AFL East, which is (a 0.107 winning percentage) the second-worst in team history: the 1971 Bills went 1–13. They were one of only two teams in AFL history (the other being the 1962 Oakland Raiders) to finish the season with only one victory.

Season summary

The Bills, coming off a 4–10 season in 1967, fired coach Joe Collier after an 0–2 start in 1968. Defensive backfield coach Harvey Johnson was promoted to interim head coach, where he went 1–10–1 to finish the year.

With the release of running back Wray Carlton, wide receiver Elbert Dubenion the last player from the Bills' original roster in 1960 to still be with the club.

The majority of Buffalo's games were started by backup quarterback Dan Darragh, after injuries claimed the seasons of long-time starter Jack Kemp and new addition Tom Flores. Even Darragh and new addition Kay Stephenson were injured. Ultimately, running back Ed Rutkowski, who hadn't played the quarterback position since college six years prior, ended up starting at quarterback for the Bills.

Buffalo's only win of the season was a home victory over the New York Jets, in which the Bills held a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter before giving up two late touchdowns to the Jets. Ultimately, the Bills were able to hold on to the two-point win.

Offseason

• August 24: Bills sign fullback Wayne Patrick.
• August 27: Bills acquire quarterback (and future Bills head coach) Kay Stephenson from the San Diego Chargers for a Fifth Round Pick.
• August 28: Bills acquire fullback Bob Cappadona from the Boston Patriots for a ninth round draft pick.
• September 2: The Bills cut running backs Wray Carlton, wide receiver Ed Rutkowski (who would return later in the season), tight end Charley Ferguson and defensive tackle Dudley Meredith.

Personnel

Coaches/Staff

1968 Buffalo Bills staff
	Front office Majority Owner/President – Ralph Wilson Vice President and General Manager – Bob Lustig Vice President/Minority Owner – Pat McGroder Coaching staff Head Coach - Joe Collier (fired midseason) Interim Head Coach - Harvey Johnson Offensive coaches Wide Receivers - John Mazur & Bob Celeri Offensive Backfield Coach - John Mazur Offensive Line – Jerry Smith & Marvin Bass Defensive coaches Defensive Backfield – Richie McCabe Kickers - Harvey Johnson

• Source: https://pro-football-history.com/franchise/7/buffalo-bills-coaches

Final roster

1968 Buffalo Bills roster
Quarterbacks 10 Dan Darragh 16 Tom Flores 3 Benny Russell 18 Kay Stephenson Running Backs 22 Max Anderson 36 Bob Cappadona 33 Ben Gregory FB 20 Keith Lincoln 32 Gary McDermott 46 Charley Mitchell 30Wayne Patrick 40 Ed Rutkowski		Wide Receivers 83 Bobby Crockett 44 Elbert Dubenion 43 Monte Ledbetter 25 Haven Moses 28 Richard Trapp Tight Ends 82 Paul Costa 87 Billy Masters Offensive Linemen 77 Stew Barber T 50 Al Bemiller C 62 Dick Cunningham T 63 George Flint G 61 G}} * 73 Howard Kindig T 66 Billy Shaw G		Defensive Linemen *89 Tom Day DE 78 Jim Dunaway DT 76 Mike McBath DE 72 Ron McDole DE 70 Tom Sestak DT Linebackers 52 Edgar Chandler 59 Paul Guidry 64 Harry Jacobs 57 Marty Schottenheimer 58 Mike Stratton		Defensive Backs 42 Butch Byrd CB 45 Hagood Clarke 24 Booker Edgerson CB 27 Tom Janik S 48 John Pitts SS 26 George Saimes S Special Teams 46 Bruce Alford K 55 Paul Maguire P/LB
Note: Rookies in italics

External links

• 1968 Buffalo Bills article at Wikipedia