1966 Pittsburgh Steelers season

The 1966 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 34th in the National Football League.

1966 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Owner	Art Rooney
Head coach	Bill Austin
Home field	Pitt Stadium
Local radio	KDKA
Results
Record	5–8–1
Division place	6th NFL Eastern
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
← 1965 Steelers seasons 1967 →

Roster

1966 Pittsburgh Steelers final roster

	Quarterbacks 15 George Izo 14 Bill Nelsen 10 Ron C. Smith Running backs 30 Willie Asbury 23 Cannonball Butler FB 42 Dick Hoak Wide receivers 87 Roy Jefferson 25 Jerry Simmons 86 J. R. Wilburn Tight ends 85 Gary Ballman 82 John Hilton		Offensive linemen 71 Charlie Bradshaw T 73 Ray Mansfield C 72 Fran O'Brien T 58 Roger Pillath T 62 Ralph Wenzel G Defensive linemen 78 John Baker DE 64 Chuck Hinton DT 75 Ken Kortas DT 60 Ben McGee DE 65 Lloyd Voss DE/DT		Linebackers 53 John Campbell 50 Bill Saul 34 Andy Russell Defensive backs 26 Brady Keys CB 20 Paul Martha FS 28 Clendon Thomas S 47 Marv Woodson CB Special teams 83 Mike Clark K 46 Frank Lambert P		Rookies in italics 49 active, 0 inactive, 5 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue
1	September 11	New York Giants	T 34–34	0–0–1	Pitt Stadium
2	September 18	Detroit Lions	W 17–3	1–0–1	Pitt Stadium
3	September 25	Washington Redskins	L 27–33	1–1–1	Pitt Stadium
4	October 2	at Washington Redskins	L 10–24	1–2–1	D.C. Stadium
5	October 8	at Cleveland Browns	L 10–41	1–3–1	Cleveland Municipal Stadium
6	October 16	Philadelphia Eagles	L 14–31	1–4–1	Pitt Stadium
7	Bye
8	October 30	at Dallas Cowboys	L 21–52	1–5–1	Cotton Bowl
9	November 6	Cleveland Browns	W 16–6	2–5–1	Pitt Stadium
10	November 13	St. Louis Cardinals	W 30–9	3–5–1	Pitt Stadium
11	November 20	Dallas Cowboys	L 7–20	3–6–1	Pitt Stadium
12	November 27	at St. Louis Cardinals	L 3–6	3–7–1	Busch Stadium
13	December 4	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 23–27	3–8–1	Franklin Field
14	December 11	at New York Giants	W47–28	4–8–1	Yankee Stadium
15	December 18	at Atlanta Falcons	W 57–33	5–8–1	Atlanta Stadium

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday September 11, 1966): New York Giants

	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	7	10	0	17	34
Steelers	7	7	17	3	34

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 37,693
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• New York Giants – Jones 75 pass from Morrall (Gogolak kick)0–7
• Pittsburgh – Ballman 9 pass from Nelsen (Clark kick)7–7
• New York Giants – Crespino 19 pass from Morrall (Gogolak kick)7–14
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 6 run (Clark kick)14–14
• New York Giants – FG Gogolak 26 14–17
• Pittsburgh – Simmons 21 pass from Nelsen (Clark kick)21–17
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 25 24–17
• Pittsburgh – Hilton 31 pass from Nelsen (Clark kick)31–17
• New York Giants – FG Gogolak 14 31–20
• New York Giants – Jones 98 pass from Morrall (Gogolak kick)31–27
• New York Giants – W. Harris 72 fumble return (Gogolak kick)31–34
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 41 34–34

Week 2 (Sunday September 18, 1966): Detroit Lions

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	0	0	3	3
Steelers	3	0	7	7	17

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 35,473
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 13 3–0
• Pittsburgh – Hilton 32 pass from R. Smith (Clark kick)10–0
• Detroit – FG Walker 42 10–3
• Pittsburgh – Jefferson 84 pass from R. Smith (Clark kick)17–3

Week 3 (Sunday September 25, 1966): Washington Redskins

	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	9	0	21	3	33
Steelers	0	14	10	3	27

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 37,505
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Washington – FG Gogolak 41 0–3
• Washington – FG Gogolak 47 0–6
• Washington – FG Gogolak 29 0–9
• Pittsburgh – Ballman 49 pass from R. Smith (Clark kick)7–9
• Pittsburgh – J. Bradshaw 27 interception return (Clark kick)14–9
• Pittsburgh – Ballman 79 pass from R. Smith (Clark kick)21–9
• Washington – Taylor 4 pass from Jurgensen (Gogolak kick)21–16
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 47 24–16
• Washington – Mitchell 35 pass from Jurgensen (Gogolak kick)24–23
• Washington – Taylor 2 run (Gogolak kick)24–30
• Washington – FG Gogolak 15 24–33
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 42 27–33

Week 4 (Sunday October 2, 1966): Washington Redskins

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	10	0	0	10
Redskins	10	0	7	7	24

at D.C. Stadium, Washington, DC

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 47,360
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Washington – Taylor 60 pass from Jurgensen (Gogolak kick)0–7
• Washington – FG Gogolak 12 0–10
• Pittsburgh – Hoak 2 run (Clark kick)7–10
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 25 10–10
• Washington – Mitchell 51 pass from Jurgensen (Gogolak kick)10–17
• Washington – Mitchell 70 pass from Jurgensen (Gogolak kick)10–24

Week 5 (Saturday October 8, 1966): Cleveland Browns

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	0	10	0	10
Browns	14	7	0	20	41

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 82,687
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Cleveland – Collins 23 pass from Ryan (Groza kick)0–7
• Cleveland – Collins 14 pass from Ryan (Groza kick)0–14
• Cleveland – Kelly 2 run (Groza kick)0–21
• Pittsburgh – Jefferson 23 pass from Izo (Clark kick)7–21
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 16 10–21
• Cleveland – Kelly 10 run (kick failed)10–27
• Cleveland – Warfield 3 fumble return (Groza kick)10–34
• Cleveland – R. Smith 24 pass from Ninowski (Groza kick)10–41

Week 6 (Sunday October 16, 1966): Philadelphia Eagles

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	0	14	0	17	31
Steelers	7	7	0	0	14

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 28,233
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – Asbury 37 pass from Izo (Clark kick)7–0
• Philadelphia – Gros 11 run (Baker kick)7–7
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 11 run (Clark kick)14–7
• Philadelphia – Gros 1 run (Baker kick)14–14
• Philadelphia – Brown 9 pass from Snead (Baker kick)14–21
• Philadelphia – Goodwin 11 pass from Snead (Baker kick)14–28
• Philadelphia – FG Baker 51 14–31

Week 8 at Cowboys

See also: 1966 Dallas Cowboys season

Week Eight: Pittsburgh Steelers (1–4–1) at Dallas Cowboys (4–1–1)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	7	7	7	0	21
Cowboys	0	24	21	7	52

at Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Texas

• Date: October 30
• Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 58,453
• Box Score

Game information

First quarter PIT – Marv Woodson 56-yard interception return (Mike Clark kick). Steelers 7–0. Second quarter DAL – Dan Reeves 1-yard pass from Don Meredith (Danny Villanueva kick). Tie 7–7. Drive: DAL – Lee Roy Jordan 49-yard interception return (Danny Villanueva kick). Cowboys 14–7. DAL – Danny Villanueva 12-yard field goal. Cowboys 17–7. Drive: DAL – Dan Reeves 8-yard pass from Don Meredith (Danny Villanueva kick). Cowboys 24–7. Drive: PIT – Jim Butler 93-yard kickoff return (Mike Clark kick). Cowboys 24–14. Third quarter DAL – Mel Renfro 87-yard kickoff return (Danny Villanueva kick). Cowboys 31–14. DAL – Frank Clarke 22-yard pass from Don Meredith (Danny Villanueva kick). Cowboys 38–14. Drive: PIT – John Hilton 4-yard pass from Ron Smith (Mike Clark kick). Cowboys 38–21. Drive: DAL – Pete Gent 84-yard pass from Don Meredith (Danny Villanueva kick). Cowboys 45–21. Drive: Fourth quarter DAL – J.D. Smith 1-yard run (Danny Villanueva kick). Cowboys 52–21. Drive: Top passers PIT – Ron Smith – 8/25, 115 yards, TD DAL – Don Meredith – 11/25, 226 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT Top rushers PIT – Jim Butler – 5 rushes, 9 yards DAL – Dan Reeves – 13 rushes, 66 yards Top receivers PIT – Roy Jefferson – 4 receptions, 74 yards DAL – Pete Gent – 1 reception, 84 yards, TD

Week 9 vs Browns

Week Nine: Cleveland Browns (5–2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1–5–1)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	6	0	0	6
Steelers	0	3	3	10	16

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: November 6, 1966
• Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C)
• Game attendance: 36,690
• Box Score

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Browns	Passing	Frank Ryan	19/37, 228 Yds, TD, 5 INT
	Rushing	Leroy Kelly	19 Rush, 82 Yds
	Receiving	Gary Collins	7 Rec, 93 Yds, TD
Steelers	Passing	Ron Smith	11/19, 151 Yds, TD
	Rushing	Willie Asbury	17 Rush, 94 Yds
	Receiving	Gary Ballman	7 Rec, 88 Yds, TD

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP CLE PIT 2 Browns Gary Collins 24-yard touchdown reception from Frank Ryan, kick no good 6 0 2 Steelers 28-yard field goal by Mike Clark 6 3 2 Steelers 25-yard field goal by Mike Clark 6 6 3 Steelers Gary Ballman 8-yard touchdown reception from Ron Smith, Mike Clark kick good 6 13 4 Steelers 42-yard field goal by Mike Clark 6 16 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 6 16

Week 10 (Sunday November 13, 1966): St. Louis Cardinals

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	9	0	0	0	9
Steelers	3	10	3	14	30

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 28,552
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• St. Louis – FG Bakken 37 0–3
• St. Louis – FG Bakken 17 0–6
• St. Louis – FG Bakken 12 0–9
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 40 3–9
• Pittsburgh – Russell 14 blocked punt return (Clark kick)10–9
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 33 13–9
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 22 16–9
• Pittsburgh – Hilton 11 pass from R. Smith (Clark kick)23–9
• Pittsburgh – Jefferson 42 pass from Hoak30–9

Week 11 (Sunday November 20, 1966): Dallas Cowboys

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	0	10	3	7	20
Steelers	0	7	0	0	7

at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 42,185
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Dallas – Meredith 3 run (Villanueva kick)0–7
• Dallas – FG Villandueva 27 0–10
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 11 pass from R. Smith (Clark kick)7–10
• Dallas – FG Villanueva 37 7–13
• Dallas – Hayes 38 pass from Meredith (Villanueva kick)7–20

Week 12 (Sunday November 27, 1966): St. Louis Cardinals

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	3	0	0	0	3
Cardinals	3	0	3	0	6

at Busch Memorial Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 46,099
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 47 3–0
• St. Louis – FG Bakken 26 3–3
• St. Louis – FG Bakken 15 3–6

Week 13 (Sunday December 4, 1966): Philadelphia Eagles

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	13	3	7	23
Eagles	3	10	7	7	27

at Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 54,275
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Philadelphia – FG Baker 35 0–3
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 7 run (Clark kick)7–3
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 37 10–3
• Philadelphia – Woodeshick 3 run (Baker kick)10–10
• Philadelphia – FG Baker 22 10–13
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 32 13–13
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 35 16–13
• Philadelphia – Woodeshick 1 run (Baker kick)16–20
• Philadelphia – Concannon 1 run (Baker kick)16–27
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 2 run (Clark kick)23–27

Week 14 (Sunday December 11, 1966): New York Giants

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	5	14	21	7	47
Giants	0	14	7	7	28

at Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 62,658
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – Safety, Lockhart stepped out of end zone 2–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 12 5–0
• Pittsburgh – Bullocks 13 pass from Nelsen (Clark kick)12–0
• New York Giants – Thomas 1 pass from Kennedy (Gogolak kick)12–7
• Pittsburgh – Leftridge 2 run (Clark kick)19–7
• New York Giants – Jones 82 pass from Kennedy (Gogolak kick)19–14
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 1 run (Clark kick)26–14
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 1 run (Clark kick)33–14
• New York Giants – Thomas 5 pass from Kennedy (Gogolak kick)33–21
• Pittsburgh – Butler 66 pass from Nelsen (Clark kick)40–21
• Pittsburgh – Leftridge 2 run (Russell pass from Hoak)47–21
• New York Giants – Crespino 16 pass from Kennedy (Gogolak kick)47–28

Week 15 (Sunday December 18, 1966): Atlanta Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	6	23	21	7	57
Falcons	0	7	14	12	33

at Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

• Game time:
• Game weather:
• Game attendance: 56,229
• Referee:
• TV announcers:

Scoring Drives:

• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 22 3–0
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 19 6–0
• Pittsburgh – Ballman 12 pass from Nelsen (Clark kick)13–0
• Pittsburgh – Bullocks 13 run (Clark kick)20–0
• Atlanta – Coffey 1 run (Kirouac kick)20–7
• Pittsburgh – Butler 1 run (run failed)26–7
• Pittsburgh – FG Clark 21 29–7
• Atlanta – Ridlehuber 53 pass from Johnson (Kirouac kick)29–14
• Pittsburgh – Butler 1 run (Clark kick)36–14
• Pittsburgh – Jefferson 68 pass from Nelsen (Clark kick)43–14
• Pittsburgh – Thomas 23 fumble return (Clark kick)50–14
• Atlanta – Ridlehuber 19 pass form Johnson (Kirouac kick)50–21
• Pittsburgh – Asbury 2 run (Clark kick)57–21
• Atlanta – Anderson 62 pass from Claridge (kick failed)57–27
• Atlanta – Anderson 12 pass from Claridge (kick failed)57–33

Standings

NFL Eastern Conference
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Dallas Cowboys	10	3	1	.769	9–3–1	445	239	W1
Philadelphia Eagles	9	5	0	.643	8–5	326	340	W4
Cleveland Browns	9	5	0	.643	9–4	403	259	W1
St. Louis Cardinals	8	5	1	.615	7–5–1	264	265	L3
Washington Redskins	7	7	0	.500	7–6	351	355	L1
Pittsburgh Steelers	5	8	1	.385	4–8–1	316	347	W2
Atlanta Falcons	3	11	0	.214	2–5	204	437	L1
New York Giants	1	12	1	.077	1–11–1	263	501	L8

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

References

External links

• 1966 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
• 1966 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com