Super Bowl Summaries

Super Bowl XII
Dallas 27, Denver 10
MVPs: DT Randy White and DE Harvey Martin, Dallas

January 15, 1978
New Orleans, Louisiana; Louisiana Superdome
Attendance: 76,400

Super Bowl XII
Photograph by: Walter Iooss Jr.
The Cowboys crushed the Crush.

After all the hype about the Broncos' Orange Crush defense, Denver played like a team with a serious vitamin deficiency. Dallas intercepted Denver quarterback Craig Morton four times and recovered four Denver fumbles while holding the Broncos to only 156 yards. The game, a penalty-filled, mistake-riddled mess, was salvaged in some small way by Dallas running back Robert Newhouse, who was asked to attempt his first pass in almost three years. Newhouse was so unprepared for the task that, in the huddle moments before the play, he had to feverishly remove stickum from his hands so he could throw the ball. Newhouse's toss to wide receiver Golden Richards resulted in a 29-yard touchdown.

Super Bowl XII Drive Charts and Play-by-Play

Dallas won the coin toss and elected to receive.

First Quarter
Dallas (15:00) Turner kick to DA 15, Johnson 14 return (Rich).
DA 29	1–10	Johnson double reverse, recovered own fumble, loss of 9 (T. Jackson).
DA 20	2–19	Dorsett run left, no gain (Gradishar).
DA 20	3–19	Staubach 8 screen right to P. Pearson (Carter).
DA 28	4–11	D. White 40 punt, Upchurch fair catch. Dallas penalized 15 for interference (Henderson).
Denver (13:02)
DE 47	1–10	Keyworth run right, loss of 5 (Henderson).
DE 42	2–15	Keyworth 3 run right (Henderson).
DE 45	3–12	Morton 21 pass to Moses middle (Barnes).
DA 34	1–10	Armstrong 1 run left (Breunig).
DA 33	2–9	Morton pass batted away at line (Jones).
DA 33	3–9	Morton sacked, loss of 11 (R. White).
DA 44	4–20	Dilts 43 punt, Hill recovered own fumble, no return.
Dallas (9:46)
DA 1	1–10	Staubach 15 swing pass to Dorsett (T. Jackson).
DA 16	1–10	Dorsett 3 run right (Alzado).
DA 19	2–7	Dorsett 3 run middle, fumbled, Fitzgerald recovered for Dallas at DA 22.
DA 22	3–4	Staubach sacked, loss of 6 (Carter).
DA 16	4–10	D. White 37 punt, Upchurch 7 return. Denver penalized 15 for clipping (Rich).
Denver (7:25)
DE 39	1–10	Morton pass to Moses deep overthrown, incomplete.
DE 39	2–10	Morton pass incomplete. Play nullified and Denver penalized 10 for illegal use of hands (Glassic).
DE 29	2–20	Morton pass right intercepted at DE 25, Hughes no return.
Dallas (7:09)
DE 25	1–10	Staubach 13 swing pass to DuPree (B. Jackson).
DE 12	1–10	Newhouse 2 run off right tackle (Smith).
DE 10	2–8	Dorsett 6 run right (Wright).
DE 4	3–2	Dorsett 1 run right (Rizzo, Gradishar).
DE 3	4–1	Dorsett 3 run off left tackle, touchdown (4:29). Herrera kicked extra point.
	Dallas scoring drive: 25 yards, 5 plays, 2:40. Dallas 7, Denver 0
Denver (4:29) Herrera kick to DE 3, Schultz 37 return (Barnes).
DE 40	1–10	Lytle 2 run left (Pugh).
DE 42	2–8	Morton rushed, pass middle tipped by Breunig and intercepted at DA 46, Kyle 19 return (Minor).
Dallas (3:27)
DE 35	1–10	Newhouse 9 run left (T. Jackson).
DE 26	2–1	Dorsett 18 run around right end (Wright).
DE 8	1–goal	Dorsett run middle, no gain (Alzado).
DE 8	2–goal	Staubach pass to DuPree incomplete.
DE 8	3–goal	Staubach sacked, loss of 10 (Alzado).
DE 18	4–goal	Herrera, 35–yard field goal (1:31).
	Dallas scoring drive: 17 yards, 5 plays, 1:56. Dallas 10, Denver 0
Denver (1:31) Herrera kick to DE 14, Upchurch 14 return (Huther).
DE 28	1–10	Perrin sweep right, no gain (Barnes).
DE 28	2–10	Perrin 4 run off right tackle (Breunig).
DE 32	3–6	Morton screen pass to Perrin, loss of 7 (Jones).
	END OF FIRST QUARTER: Dallas 10, Denver 0
Second Quarter
DE 25	4–13	Dilts 32 punt downed at DA 43.
Dallas (14:50)
DA 43	1–10	Dorsett 2 run right (Rizzo).
DA 45	2–8	Dallas penalized 5 for false start (Rafferty).
DA 40	2–13	Staubach 11 screen right to P. Pearson (Grant).
DE 49	3–2	Newhouse 7 run right (Wright).
DE 42	1–10	Staubach 19 pass to DuPree right (B. Jackson).
DE 23	1–10	Dorsett 4 run right (Thompson).
DE 19	2–6	Staubach pass to Dorsett right overthrown, incomplete.
DE 19	3–6	Staubach sacked, loss of 6 (stepped out of bounds).
DE 25	4–12	Herrera, 43–yard field goal (11:16).
	Dallas scoring drive: 32 yards, 7 plays, 3:34. Dallas 13, Denver 0
Denver (11:16) Herrera kick to DE 7, Upchurch 13 return (Hegman). Denver penalized 10 for illegal use of hands.
DE 10	1–10	Lytle 5 run right (Pugh).
DE 15	2–5	Morton deep pass to Moses underthrown, intercepted at DA 40, Barnes no return (Moses).
Dallas (10:21)
DA 40	1–10	Newhouse 2 run left (Alzado).
DA 42	2–8	Staubach 4 pass to Newhouse. Play nullified and Dallas penalized 10 for holding.
DA 32	2–18	Staubach pass to P. Pearson left dropped, incomplete.
DA 32	3–18	Staubach sacked, loss of 4 (Carter).
DA 28	4–22	D. White 36 punt, Schultz no return, fumbled, Huther recovered for Dallas at DE 40.
DE 40	1–10	Dorsett 2 run right.
DE 38	2–8	Dorsett 19 sweep right (B. Jackson).
DE 19	1–10	P. Pearson 1 run right (Grant).
DE 18	2–9	Dorsett run left, loss of 3 (Swenson).
DE 21	3–12	Dallas penalized 5 for false start.
DE 26	3–17	Staubach pass to Johnson in end zone knocked away (Wright), incomplete.
DE 26	4–17	Herrera’s 43–yard field–goal attempt was wide left, no good.
Denver (5:51)
DE 26	1–10	Armstrong run right, loss of 3 (Jones).
DE 23	2–13	Keyworth 3 run left. Play nullified and Dallas penalized 5 for offsides (Martin).
DE 28	2–8	Armstrong 4 sweep right (Hughes).
DE 32	3–4	Morton 10 pass to Dolbin. Play nullified and Denver penalized 5 for illegal procedure.
DE 27	3–9	Morton 15 pass to Dolbin. Dolbin fumbled, recovered by Dallas at DE 46, Hughes 19 return.
Dallas (4:05)
DE 27	1–10	Dorsett 8 sweep right (Swenson).
DE 19	2–2	Newhouse 10 sweep left (T. Jackson).
DE 9	1–goal	Staubach swing pass to Newhouse right, loss of 7 (Swenson). Two–Minute Warning.
DE 16	2–goal	Staubach pass to D. Pearson in end zone incomplete.
DE 16	3–goal	Staubach 1 screen left to Newhouse (B. Jackson).
DE 15	4–goal	Herrera’s 32–yard field–goal attempt was wide right, no good.
Denver (1:06)
DE 20	1–10	Morton 10 pass to Odoms, Odoms fumbled, recovered by Dallas at DE 30, Hughes 2 return (Odoms).
Dallas (:59)
DE 28	1–10	Staubach 16 pass to DuPree, DuPree fumbled, T. Jackson recovered for Denver at DE 12.
Denver (:49)
DE 12	1–10	Lytle 4 run right. Play nullified and Denver penalized 5 for illegal procedure.
DE 7	1–15	Perrin 4 run right (R. White).
DE 11	2–11	Lytle 16 run left (Renfro).
DE 27	1–10	Lytle 13 sweep left (Kyle).
DE 40	1–10	Morton pass to Odoms underthrown, intercepted at DA 38, Washington 27 return (Perrin).
Dallas (:06)
DE 35	1–10	Staubach 8 pass to P. Pearson (out of bounds).
DE 27	2–2	Herrera’s 44–yard field–goal attempt was wide left, no good.
	END OF SECOND QUARTER: Dallas 13, Denver 0
Third Quarter
Denver (15:00) Herrera kick to DE 10, Schultz 25 return (Henderson).
DE 35	1–10	Keyworth run right, no gain (Pugh).
DE 35	2–10	Armstrong 18 sweep right (Harris).
DA 47	1–10	Morton pass to Dolbin middle incomplete.
DA 47	2–10	Morton option pitch, Keyworth 6 run right.
DA 41	3–4	Morton rushed, screen to Armstrong incomplete.
DA 41	4–4	Dilts faked punt, sacked, loss of 4. Play nullified and Dallas penalized 5 for illegal procedure (12 men on field).
DA 36	1–10	Morton pass to Moses left underthrown, incomplete.
DA 36	2–10	Keyworth 5 draw middle (R. White).
DA 31	3–5	Armstrong 1 run right (Jones).
DA 30	4–4	Turner, 47–yard field goal (12:32).
	Denver scoring drive: 35 yards, 8 plays, 2:28. Dallas 13, Denver 3
Dallas (12:32) Turner kick out of bounds. Denver penalized 5 for illegal procedure (Turner). Turner kick to DA 6, Johnson recovered own fumble, 15 return (Nairne).
DA 21	1–10	Newhouse 2 run left (Carter).
DA 23	2–8	Staubach 5 pass to Newhouse right (T. Jackson).
DA 28	3–3	Staubach 7 pass to P. Pearson. Play nullified and Dallas penalized 10 for illegal man downfield.
DA 18	3–13	Staubach 2 run evading pass rush (Gradishar).
DA 20	4–11	D. White 53 punt, Upchurch 8 return (Lewis).
Denver (10:03)
DE 35	1–10	Morton pass to Moses left incomplete.
DE 35	2–10	Lytle sweep right, no gain (Breunig).
DE 35	3–10	Morton sacked, loss of 9 (Martin).
DE 26	4–19	Dilts 32 punt, Hill fair catch.
Dallas (9:28)
DA 42	1–10	Staubach 5 keeper left (Rizzo).
DA 47	2–5	Dorsett 1 run right. Play nullified and Dallas penalized 5 for illegal motion.
DA 42	2–10	Staubach 13 pass to D. Pearson (Gradishar).
DE 45	1–10	Dorsett run left, no gain (Rizzo).
DE 45	2–10	Staubach pass to Richards in end zone overthrown, incomplete.
DE 45	3–10	Staubach 45 pass to Johnson left end zone, diving fingertip catch, touchdown (6:59). Herrera kicked extra point.
	Dallas scoring drive: 58 yards, 5 plays, 2:29. Dallas 20, Denver 3
Denver (6:59) Herrera kick to DE 7, Upchurch 67 return (Hill).
DA 26	1–10	Morton pass to Lytle almost intercepted (Jones).
DA 26	2–10	Lytle 4 run off left tackle (R. White).
DA 22	3–6	Weese 5 pass to Jensen right (Waters).
DA 17	4–1	Jensen 16 sweep right (Kyle).
DA 1	1–goal	Lytle 1 run left, touchdown (5:39). Turner kicked extra point. Dallas penalized 5 for offsides (Jones), assessed on kickoff.
	Denver scoring drive: 26 yards, 5 plays, 1:20. Dallas 20, Denver 10
Dallas (5:39) Turner kick to DA 6, Brinson 22 return (B. Jackson). Dallas penalized 14 (half the distance) for unnecessary roughness.
DA 14	1–10	Newhouse 1 run right (Wright).
DA 15	2–9	Staubach 18 pass to DuPree right.
DA 33	1–10	Newhouse 6 run right (T. Jackson).
DA 39	2–4	Newhouse 3 run middle (Chavous).
DA 42	3–1	Staubach 8 pass to Johnson left flat (Alzado).
50	1–10	Staubach 9 pass to Richards middle (Gradishar).
DE 41	2–1	Newhouse 4 run right (T. Jackson).
DE 37	1–10	Staubach pass to Dorsett, loss of 4 (Thompson).
	END OF THIRD QUARTER: Dallas 20, Denver 10
Fourth Quarter
DE 41	2–14	Staubach 5 pass to P. Pearson (Carter).
DE 36	3–9	Staubach sacked, loss of 9 (T. Jackson), fumbled, Carter recovered for Denver at DE 45.
Denver (14:02)
DE 45	1–10	Lytle run right, loss of 8. Dallas penalized 5 for facemask (Waters). Automatic first down.
DE 42	1–10	Weese 9 pass to Upchurch right (Harris).
DA 49	2–1	Armstrong 3 run right (Lewis).
DA 46	1–10	Weese pass to Dolbin deep right incomplete.
DA 46	2–10	Weese pass to Upchurch in end zone incomplete.
DA 46	3–10	Weese pass to Dolbin middle incomplete.
DA 46	4–10	Dilts 46 punt into end zone, touchback.
Dallas (12:18)
DA 20	1–10	D. White 5 screen left to P. Pearson (Rizzo).
DA 25	2–5	Newhouse 2 run right (Carter).
DA 27	3–3	D. White 13 draw middle (Gradishar).
DA 40	1–10	D. White pass to P. Pearson incomplete.
DA 40	2–10	Newhouse 1 draw (Chavous). Dallas–first time out.
DA 41	3–9	Staubach pass to D. Pearson left incomplete.
DA 41	4–9	D. White 42 punt, Upchurch 7 return (Henderson).
Denver (8:50)
DE 24	1–10	Weese pass to Odoms, loss of 1 (Waters).
DE 23	2–11	Weese 7 keeper right (R. White).
DE 30	3–4	Weese sacked, loss of 1 (Martin), fumbled, Kyle recovered for Dallas at DE 29.
Dallas (7:11)
DE 29	1–10	Newhouse 29 option pass to Richards left end zone, touchdown (7:04). Herrera kicked extra point.
	Dallas scoring drive: 29 yards, 1 play, :07. Dallas 27, Denver 10
Denver (7:04) Herrera kick to DE 36, Jensen 17 return (Hughes).
DA 47	1–10	Weese pass deflected at line (Jones), incomplete.
DA 47	2–10	Armstrong 3 run right (Breunig).
DA 44	3–7	Lytle 5 run right (Hegman).
DA 39	4–2	Weese 10 run right (Cole).
DA 29	1–10	Weese 9 pass to Dolbin right (Washington).
DA 20	2–1	Weese 9 run evading pass rush (Washington).
DA 11	1–10	Weese pass to Moses in end zone overthrown, incomplete.
DA 11	2–10	Weese sacked, loss of 5 (Lewis).
DA 16	3–15	Lytle run right, loss of 3 (Breunig). Denver penalized 5 for spiking.
DA 24	4–23	Weese pass to Upchurch dropped at DA 5, incomplete.
Dallas (3:14)
DA 25	1–10	Staubach pass to D. Pearson incomplete.
DA 25	2–10	P. Pearson 5 sweep right (Thompson).
DA 30	3–5	Staubach 8 pass to P. Pearson. Play nullified and Dallas penalized 10 for illegal man downfield (Scott).
DA 20	3–15	Laidlaw 1 run (Rizzo). Two–Minute Warning.
DA 21	4–14	D. White 48 punt, Upchurch 10 return. Play nullified and Denver penalized 5 for running into kicker. Automatic first down.
DA 26	1–10	Newhouse 3 run (Swenson). Denver–first time out.
DA 29	2–7	P. Pearson 5 run (Rizzo). Denver–second time out.
DA 34	3–2	Newhouse 3 run left.
DA 37	1–10	Staubach knelt down, loss of 1.
	FINAL SCORE: Dallas 27, Denver 10
	FINAL RECORDS: Dallas 15–2, Denver 14–3

Super Bowl XII Boxscore

                           SCORING
Dallas                                     10  3  7  7 -- 27
Denver                                      0  0 10  0 -- 10

DAL- Dorsett 3 run  (Herrera kick), 10:31 1st
DAL- FG Herrera 35, 13:29 1st

DAL- FG Herrera 43,  3:44 2nd

DEN- FG Turner 47,  2:28 3rd
DAL- Johnson 45 pass from Staubach (Herrera kick),  8:01 3rd
DEN- Lytle 1 run  (Turner kick),  9:21 3rd

DAL- Richards 29 pass from Newhouse (Herrera kick),  7:56 4th


TEAM STATISTICS                          Dal.           Denv.
Total First Downs                          17             11
  Rushing                                   8              8
  Passing                                   8              1
  Penalty                                   1              2
Total Net Yardage                         325            156
Total Offensive Plays                      71             58
  Average Gain per Offensive Play           4.6            2.7
Rushes                                     38             29
  Yards Gained Rushing (Net)              143            121
  Average Yards per Rush                    3.8            4.2
Passes Attempted                           28             25
  Passes Completed                         19              8
  Had Intercepted                           0              4
  Tackled Attempting to Pass                5              4
  Yards Lost Attempting to Pass            35             26
  Yards Gained Passing (Net)              182             35
Punts                                       5              4
  Average Distance                         41.6           38.3
Punt Returns                                1              4
  Punt Return Yardage                       0             22
Kickoff Returns                             3              6
  Kickoff Return Yardage                   51            173
Interception Return Yardage                46              0
Fumbles                                     6              4
  Own Fumbles Recovered                     4              0
  Opponent Fumbles Recovered                4              2
Penalties                                  12              8
  Yards Penalized                          94             60
Total Points Scored                        27             10
Touchdowns                                  3              1
  Rushing                                   1              1
  Passing                                   2              0
  Returns                                   0              0
Extra Points                                3              1
Field Goals                                 2              1
  Field Goals Attempted                     5              1
Safeties                                    0              0
Third-Down Efficiency                    5/17           1/12
Fourth-Down Efficiency                    1/1            2/3
Time of Possession                      38:38          21:22

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Dallas                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Dorsett                           15        66      19     1
Newhouse                          14        55      10     0
D. White                           1        13      13     0
P. Pearson                         3        11       5     0
Staubach                           3         6       5     0
Laidlaw                            1         1       1     0
Johnson                            1        -9       9     0
Denver                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Lytle                             10        35      16     1
Armstrong                          7        27      18     0
Weese                              3        26      10     0
Jensen                             1        16      16     0
Keyworth                           5         9       6     0
Perrin                             3         8       4     0

Passing
Dallas                       Att.   Comp.    Yds.   TD   Int.
Staubach                      25      17     183     1     0
Newhouse                       1       1      29     1     0
D. White                       2       1       5     0     0
Denver                       Att.   Comp.    Yds.   TD   Int.
Morton                        15       4      39     0     4
Weese                         10       4      22     0     0

Receiving
Dallas                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
P. Pearson                         5        37      11     0
DuPree                             4        66      19     0
Newhouse                           3        -1       5     0
Johnson                            2        53      45t    1
Richards                           2        38      29t    1
Dorsett                            2        11      15     0
D. Pearson                         1        13      13     0
Denver                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Dolbin                             2        24      15     0
Odoms                              2         9      10     0
Moses                              1        21      21     0
Upchurch                           1         9       9     0
Jensen                             1         5       5     0
Perrin                             1        -7       7     0

Interceptions
Dallas                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Washington                         1        27      27     0
Kyle                               1        19      19     0
Barnes                             1         0       0     0
Hughes                             1         0       0     0
Denver                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
None                              --        --      --    --

Punting
Dallas                            No.      Avg.     LG   Blk.
D. White                           5        41.6    53     0
Denver                            No.      Avg.     LG   Blk.
Dilts                              4        38.3    46     0

Punt Returns
Dallas                           No.   FC     Yds.   LG   TD
Hill                              1     1       0     0    0
Denver                           No.   FC     Yds.   LG   TD
Upchurch                          3     1      22     8    0
Schultz                           1     0       0     0    0

Kickoff Returns
Dallas                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Johnson                            2        29      15     0
Brinson                            1        22      22     0
Denver                            No.      Yds.     LG    TD
Upchurch                           3        94      67     0
Schultz                            2        62      37     0
Jensen                             1        17      17     0


   Dallas Cowboys              Denver Broncos
                   ==  Offense  ==
Fitzgerald, John        C    Montler, Mike           C 
Rafferty, Tom           G    Glassic, Tom            G 
Scott, Herbert          G    Howard, Paul            G 
Donovan, Pat            T    Maurer, Andy            T 
Neely, Ralph            T    Minor, Claudie          T 
DuPree, Billy Joe       TE   Odoms, Riley            TE
Johnson, Butch          WR   Dolbin, Jack            WR
Pearson, Drew           WR   Moses, Haven            WR
Dorsett, Tony           RB   Armstrong, Otis         RB
Newhouse, Robert        RB   Keyworth, Jon           RB
Staubach, Roger         QB   Morton, Craig           QB

                   ==  Defense  ==                      
Pugh, Jethro            DT   Carter, Rubin           NT 
White, Randy            DT   Alzado, Lyle            DE 
Jones, Too Tall         DE   Chavous, Barney         DE 
Martin, Harvey          DE   Jackson, Tom            OLB
Henderson, Tom          OLB  Swenson, Bob            OLB
Lewis, D. D.            OLB  Gradishar, Randy        ILB
Breunig, Bob            MLB  Rizzo, Joe              ILB
Barnes, Benny           CB   Foley, Steve            CB 
Kyle, Aaron             CB   Wright, Louis           CB 
Harris, Cliff           FS   Jackson, Bernard        FS 
Waters, Charlie         SS   Thompson, William       SS 

                  ==  Substitute  ==                    
Brinson, Larry               Allison, Hank              
Brown, Guy                   Dilts, Bucky               
Cole, Larry                  Egloff, Ron                
Cooper, Jim                  Evans, Larry               
Dennison, Doug               Grant, John                
Frederick, Andy              Hyde, Glenn                
Gregory, Bill                Jensen, Jim D.             
Hegman, Mike                 Lytle, Rob                 
Herrera, Efren               Manor, Brison              
Hill, Tony                   Maples, Bobby              
Hughes, Randy                Nairne, Rob                
Huther, Bruce                Perrin, Lonnie             
Laidlaw, Scott               Poltl, Randy               
Lawless, Burton              Rich, Randy                
Pearson, Preston             Schultz, John              
Renfro, Mel                  Smith, Paul                
Richards, Golden             Turk, Godwin               
Stalls, Dave                 Turner, Jim B.             
Washington, Mark             Upchurch, Rick             
White, Danny                 Weese, Norris              
Wright, Rayfield           

                  ==  Did Not Play  ==
                             Penrose, Craig

Super Bowl XII Recap

The Dallas Cowboys evened their Super Bowl record at 2-2 by taking advantage of eight Bronco turnovers. Dallas converted two interceptions into 10 points and Efren Herrera's 35-yard field goal into a 13-0 halftime advantage.

Denver's Jim Turner then kicked a 47-yard field goal. But later in the third quarter, Dallas wide receiver Butch Johnson made a diving catch in the endzone to complete a 45-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach and put the Cowboys ahead 20-3.

DENVER AGAIN CUT THE LEAD TO TEN, this time on a one-yard run by Rob Lytle. But with 7:04 to play fulback Robert Newhouse tossed a 29-yard option pass to Golden Richards for the final score of the game.

Staubach completed 17 of 25 passes for 183 yards with no interceptions and Tony Dorsett gained 66 yards on 15 carries.

For the first time there were co-MVPs of the Super Bowl. The award was shared by defensive linemen Randy White and Harvey Martin of Dallas.

Super Bowl XII Photos

Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach tries to avoid being sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Lyle Alzado in a 27-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII on January 15, 1978 at Louisana Superdome.