"This isn't like it was the first two years. I wouldn't say that we're bored, but it's just not the same exciting adventure it was in the other years. I came here to talk about the Super Bowl, but I have so little conversation about it, I really don't know what to say anymore. People want to hear me talk about faith and morals. That's fine, but I'm a football player."
-Dolphins RB Larry Csonka, before the game

Super Bowl VIII

January 13, 1974 - Rice Stadium - Houston, TX

Minnesota
Vikings
(14-2)
Super Bowl VIII Logo Miami
Dolphins
(14-2)
Vikings Logo Lombardi 'vs.' Dolphins Logo
NFC Logo Minnesota -7
Miami -24
AFC Logo

Rosters & Coaches | Game Summary | Play-by-Play | MVP Profile | SB Ring | Ticket | Program

Super Bowl VIII Quick Stats
Date:January 13, 1974
Location:Rice Stadium - Houston, TX
Surface:Outdoors on turf
Game Weather:Cool, partly cloudy, light fog
Conditions:Temp: 50 F
Attendance:71,882
Kickoff Time:2:30 P.M. Central
Commentary:Ray Scott, Bart Starr, and Pat Summerall (CBS)
Officials:Referee: Ben Dreith (12), Umpire: Ralph Morcroft (15), Line Judge: Jack Fette (39), Head Linesman: Leo Miles (35), Back Judge: Stan Javie (29), Field Judge: Fritz Graf (34)
Pre-Game Show:University of Texas & Punt, Pass, and Kick Events hosted by Jack Buck
National Anthem:Charley Pride
Coin Toss:The Referee
Halftime Show: "A Musical America"
Ftr: University of Texas band, Miss Texas Judy Mallett
Producer: Jim Skinner
Winner Share:$15,000
Loser Share:$7,500
Ticket Price:$15
Favorite:Miami by 6.5 pts.
TV Rating:41.6, 73 share (CBS)
Most Valuable Player:Dolphins RB Larry Csonka (33 for 145 yds, 2 TDs)

* Denotes Division Champion | † Denotes Overtime
1973 NFL Playoffs
AFC DivisionalAFC Conference NFC ConferenceNFC Divisional
Pittsburgh (10-4) at
Oakland* (9-4-1)
14
33
Oakland (10-4-1) at
Miami (13-2)
10
27
Minnesota (13-2) at
Dallas (11-4)
27
10
Washington (10-4) at
Minnesota* (12-2)
20
27
Cincinnati* (10-4) at
Miami* (12-2)
16
34
Los Angeles* (12-2) at
Dallas* (10-4)
16
27

* Denotes Wildcard Team | Tiebreakers: Cincinnati finished ahead of Pittsburgh based on better conference record (8-3 to Steelers' 7-4). N.Y. Jets finished ahead of Baltimore based on head-to-head sweep (2-0). Kansas City finished ahead of Denver based on better divisional record (4-2 to Broncos' 3-2-1). Dallas finished ahead of Washington based on better point differential in head-to-head games (13 pts). San Francisco finished ahead of New Orleans based on better division record (2-4 to Saints' 1-5).
1973 NFL Standings
American Football Conference
Eastern DivisionCentral DivisionWestern Division
Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Baltimore Colts
12-2-0
9-5-0
5-9-0
4-10-0
4-10-0
0.857
0.643
0.357
0.286
0.286
Cincinnati Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers*
Cleveland Browns
Houston Oilers
10-4-0
10-4-0
7-5-2
1-13-0
0.714
0.714
0.571
0.071
Oakland Raiders
Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos
San Diego Chargers
9-4-1
7-5-2
7-5-2
2-11-1
0.679
0.571
0.571
0.179
National Football Conference
Eastern DivisionCentral DivisionWestern Division
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins*
Philadelphia Eagles
St. Louis Cardinals
New York Giants
10-4-0
10-4-0
5-8-1
4-9-1
2-11-1
0.714
0.714
0.393
0.321
0.179
Minnesota Vikings
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Chicago Bears
12-2-0
6-7-1
5-7-2
3-11-0
0.857
0.464
0.429
0.214
Los Angeles Rams
Atlanta Falcons
San Francisco 49ers
New Orleans Saints
12-2-0
9-5-0
5-9-0
5-9-0
0.857
0.643
0.357
0.357

* Denotes night game | † Denotes Overtime
Minnesota 1973 Schedule
DateOpponentScore
Regular Season (12-2)
Sun9/16OaklandW24-16
Sun9/23at ChicagoW22-13
Sun9/30Green BayW11-3
Sun10/7at DetroitW23-9
Sun10/14at San FranciscoW17-13
Sun10/21PhiladelphiaW28-21
Sun10/28Los AngelesW10-9
Sun11/4ClevelandW26-3
Sun11/11DetroitW28-7
Mon*11/19at AtlantaL14-20
Sun11/25ChicagoW31-13
Sun12/2at CincinnatiL0-27
Sat12/8at Green BayW31-7
Sun12/16at N.Y. GiantsW31-7
Post Season
Sat12/22WashingtonW27-20
Sun12/30at DallasW27-10
* Denotes night game | † Denotes Overtime
Miami 1973 Schedule
DateOpponentScore
Regular Season (12-2)
Sun9/16San FranciscoW21-13
Sun9/23at OaklandL7-12
Sun9/30New EnglandW44-23
Sun10/7N.Y. JetsW31-3
Mon*10/15at ClevelandW17-9
Sun10/21BuffaloW27-6
Sun10/28at New EnglandW30-14
Sun11/4at N.Y. JetsW24-14
Sun11/11BaltimoreW44-0
Sun11/18at BuffaloW17-0
Thu11/22at DallasW14-7
Mon*12/3PittsburghW30-26
Sun12/9at BaltimoreL3-16
Sat*12/15DetroitW34-7
Post Season
Sun12/23CincinnatiW34-16
Sun12/30at OaklandW27-10

Starting Lineups
MINNESOTAMIAMI
OFFENSEDEFENSEOFFENSEDEFENSE
C.DaleWRC.EllerLEP.WarfieldWRV.Den HerderLE
G.AldermanLTG.LarsenDTW.MooreLTM.FernandezDT
E.WhiteLGA.PageDTB.KuechenbergLGB.HeinzDT
M.TingelhoffCJ.MarshallREJ.LangerCB.StanfillRE
F.GallagherRGR.WinstonLLBL.LittleRGD.SwiftLLB
R.YaryRTJ.SiemonMLBN.EvansRTN.BuonicontiMLB
S.VoigtTEW.HilgenbergRLBJ.MandichTEM.KolenRLB
J.GilliamWRN.WrightLCBM.BriscoeWRL.MumphordLCB
F.TarkentonQBB.BryantRCBB.GrieseQBC.JohnsonRCB
C.ForemanRBJ.WrightSSM.MorrisRBD.AndersonSS
O.ReedRBP.KrauseFSL.CsonkaRBJ.ScottFS

Substitutions
MINNESOTAMIAMI
OFFENSEDEFENSEOFFENSEDEFENSE
J.Lash (WR)T.Brown (S)D.Crusan (T)C.Babb (S)
D.Kingriter (WR)B.Lurtsema (DT/DE)M.Fleming (TE)L.Ball (LB)
E.Marinaro (RB)A.Martin (LB)I.Goode (C/G)B.Bannon (LB)
D.Osborn (RB)R.Porter (LB)J.Kiick (RB)T.Foley (CB)
C.Goodrum (T/G)D.Sutherland (DT)E.Morrall (QB)B.Matheson (LB)
B.Brown (RB)C.West (CB)E.Newman (G)M.Moore (DT)
D.Nottingham (RB)H.Stuckey (CB)
H.Twilley (WR)
KICKERSKICKERS
F.Cox (K)M.Eischeid (P)G.Yepremian (K)L.Seiple (P)
DID NOT PLAYDID NOT PLAY
B.Berry (QB)G.Ballman (TE)R.Sellers (WR)
S.Lawson (G)G.Zaunbrecher (C)

Team Statistics
MINMIA
FIRST DOWNS-Total
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
14
5
8
1
21
13
4
4
3rd DOWN EFF.8/15-53%7/12-58%
4th DOWN EFF.0/1-0%1/1-100%
TOTAL NET YARDS
Total Offensive Plays
Average Gain
238
54
4.4
259
61
4.2
NET RUSH YARDS
Rushing Plays
Average Gain
72
34
3.0
196
53
3.7
NET PASS YARDS
Pass Att-Comp-INT
Tackled-Yds Lost
Gross Yards Passing
166
28-18-1
2-16
182
63
7-6-0
1-10
73
PUNTS-Yards
Average Dist.
Blocked
5-211
42.2
0
3-119
39.7
0
RETURN YARDS-Total
Punt Returns
Kickoff Returns
Interception Returns
69
0-0
4-69
0-0
77
3-20
2-47
1-10
PENALTIES-yards 7-651-4
TOTAL TURNOVERS
Fumbles-Lost
Had Intercepted
2
2-1
1
0
1-0
0
TOUCHDOWNS-Total
Rushing
Passing
Returns
1
1
0
0
3
3
0
0
EXTRA POINTS-Made
Kicking-Made/Att
Blocked
1
1/1
0
3
3/3
0
FIELD GOALS-Made/Att
Blocked
0/0
0
1/1
0
SAFETIES 00
TOTAL POINTS 724
T.O.P.26:1533:45
Scoring Summary
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
MINNESOTA00077
MIAMI1437024

1st Quarter
  • MIA - L.Csonka, 5 yard rush. G.Yepremian kick. 10-62, TOP 5:27 (5:27)
  • MIA - J.Kiick, 1 yard rush. G.Yepremian kick. 10-56, TOP 5:46 (13:38)
2nd Quarter
  • MIA - G.Yepremian, 28 yard FG. 7-44, TOP 4:01 (8:58)
3rd Quarter
  • MIA - L.Csonka, 2 yard rush. G.Yepremian kick. 8-43, TOP 3:58 (6:16)
4th Quarter
  • MIN - F.Tarkenton, 4 yard rush. F.Cox kick. 10-57, TOP 3:09 (1:35)

Dolphins RB Larry Csonka goes in for one of his two scores. (AP)

Individual Statistics
MINNESOTA VIKINGSMIAMI DOLPHINS
PASSING
ATCMPPCTYDSINTTDYDS/CMPSK/YD
F.Tarkenton281864.31821010.12/16
PASSING
ATCMPPCTYDSINTTDYDS/CMPSK/YD
B.Griese7685.7730012.21/10
RUSHING
ATTYDSAVGLGTD
O.Reed11322.990
C.Foreman7182.650
F.Tarkenton4174.381
E.Marinaro133.030
B.Brown122.020
TOTAL24723.091
RUSHING
ATTYDSAVGLGTD
L.Csonka331454.4162
M.Morris11343.1140
J.Kiick7101.451
B.Griese273.550
TOTAL531963.7163
RECEIVING
NOYDSAVGLGTD
C.Foreman5275.4100
J.Gilliam44411.0300
S.Voigt34615.3170
E.Marinaro23919.5270
B.Brown199.090
D.Kingsriter199.090
J.Lash199.090
O.Reed1-1-1.0-10
TOTAL1818210.1300
RECEIVING
NOYDSAVGLGTD
P.Warfield23316.5270
J.Mandich22110.5130
M.Briscoe2199.5130
TOTAL67312.2270
PUNTING
NOYDSAVGLGIN20TB
M.Eischeid521142.24810
PUNTING
NOYDSAVGLGIN20TB
L.Seiple311939.65710
PUNT RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
TOTAL0000.000
PUNT RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
J.Scott31206.7120
KICKOFF RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
J.Gilliam204120.5210
C.West202814.0150
TOTAL406917.3210
KICKOFF RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
J.Scott204723.5310
INTERCEPTIONS BY
NOYDSAVGLGTD
TOTAL000.000
INTERCEPTIONS BY
NOYDSAVGLGTD
C.Johnson11010.0100
FUMBLES
MINNESOTAFUMOWN-RECYDSTDFRCD OPP-RECYDSTDOOB
F.Tarkenton110000000
O.Reed100000000
TOTAL210000000
MIAMIFUMOWN-RECYDSTDFRCD OPP-RECYDSTDOOB
N.Buoniconti000010000
J.Scott110001000
TOTAL110011000

Defensive Statistics
(Tackles are not an official stat, hence some variation from source to source)
MINNESOTA VIKINGSREGULAR DEFENSIVE PLAYSSPECIAL TEAMSMISC

TKLASTCOMSCK/YDSINTPDFFFR TKLASTFFFRBLTKLASTFFFR
C.Eller8080.00.00000 00000 0000
W.Hilgenberg8080.00.00000 00000 0000
J.Siemon7070.00.00000 00000 0000
A.Page6061.010.00000 00000 0000
P.Krause5160.00.00000 00000 0000
J.Marshall5160.00.00000 00000 0000
R.Winston5160.00.00000 00000 0000
G.Larsen4150.00.00000 00000 0000
B.Bryant4040.00.00000 00000 0000
J.Wright3030.00.00000 00000 0000
N.Wright1010.00.00000 00000 0000
T.Brown0000.00.00000 10000 0000
D.Kingsriter0000.00.00000 10000 0000
R.Porter0000.00.00000 10000 0000
D.Sutherland0000.00.00000 10000 0000
M.Tingelhoff0000.00.00000 10000 0000
J.Gilliam0000.00.00000 00000 1000
F.Tarkenton0000.00.00000 00000 0001
TOTAL564601.010.00000 50000 1001
TKL = Tackle
PD = Pass Defense
AST = Assist
FF = Forced Fumble
COM = Combined
FR = Fumble Recovery
INT = Interception
BL = Blocked
MIAMI DOLPHINSREGULAR DEFENSIVE PLAYSSPECIAL TEAMSMISC

TKLASTCOMSCK/YDSINTPDFFFR TKLASTFFFRBLTKLASTFFFR
M.Fernandez6061.06.00000 00000 0000
N.Buoniconti5160.00.00110 00000 0000
T.Foley5160.00.00000 00000 0000
B.Matheson5050.00.00000 00000 0000
M.Kolen4150.00.00000 00000 0000
V.Den Herder3031.010.00000 00000 0000
J.Scott3030.00.00001 00010 0000
D.Swift3030.00.00100 00000 0000
D.Anderson2130.00.00000 00000 0000
C.Johnson2020.00.01000 00000 0000
B.Stanfill2020.00.00000 00000 0000
B.Bannon0000.00.00000 10000 0000
E.Newman0000.00.00000 10000 0000
TOTAL404442.016.01211 20010 0000

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