"Super Bowl VI was special because people had said we couldn't win the big one. But I felt pretty darned good after XII, too."
-Cowboys head coach Tom Landry

Super Bowl XII

January 15, 1978 - Louisiana Superdome - New Orleans, LA

Dallas
Cowboys
(14-2)
Super Bowl XII Logo Denver
Broncos
(14-2)
Cowboys Logo Lombardi 'vs.' Broncos Logo
NFC Logo Dallas -27
Denver -10
AFC Logo

Rosters & Coaches | Game Summary | Play-by-Play | MVP Profile 1 | MVP Profile 2 | SB Ring | Ticket | Program

Super Bowl XII Quick Stats
Date:January 15, 1978
Location:Louisiana Superdome - New Orleans, LA
Surface:Indoors on turf
Game Weather:Temp: 70 F (Indoors), High: 61 F Low: 43 F (Outdoors), Wind: ESE 6 mph
Conditions:Controlled Climate (Indoors), Scattered Clouds (Outdoors)
Attendance:75,583
Kickoff Time:5:00 P.M. Central
Commentary:Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier (CBS)
Officials:Referee: Jim Tunney (32), Umpire: Joe Connell (57), Line Judge: Art Holst (33), Head Linesman: Tony Veteri Sr. (36), Back Judge: Ray Douglas (5), Field Judge: Bob Wortman (84)
Pre-Game Show:Ashley Whippett and Hyper Hank (dogs), Southern University Marching Band, Punt Pass & Kick Finals
National Anthem:Phyllis Kelly
Coin Toss:Red Grange
Halftime Show: "From Paris to Paris of America"
Ftr: Tyler Apache Belles, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Harmony and Understanding
Producer: N/A
Winner Share:$18,000
Loser Share:$9,000
Ticket Price:$30, depending on seat location (varying ticket colors depending on level)
Favorite:Dallas by 6.0 pts.
TV Rating:47.2, 67 share (CBS)
Most Valuable Player:Cowboys DT Randy White and DE Harvey Martin (1 sack, 2 sacks)

* Denotes Division Champion | † Denotes Overtime
1977 NFL Playoffs
AFC DivisionalAFC Conference NFC ConferenceNFC Divisional
Pittsburgh* (9-5) at
Denver* (12-2)
21
34
Oakland (12-3) at
Denver (13-2)
17
20
Minnesota (10-5) at
Dallas (13-2)
6
23
Chicago (9-5) at
Dallas* (12-2)
7
37
Oakland (11-3) at
Baltimore* (10-4)
37
31†
Minnesota* (9-5) at
Los Angeles* (10-4)
14
7

* Denotes Wildcard Team | Tiebreakers: Baltimore finished ahead of Miami based on better conference record (9-3 to Dolphins' 8-4). Buffalo finished ahead of N.Y. Jets based on better strength of schedule (.582 to Jets' .536). Cincinnati finished ahead of Houston based on better division record (6-3 to Oilers' 5-4). Oakland did not play Denver in the divisional playoffs because, from 1970-1989, two teams from the same division could not meet prior to the conference championship game. Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago based on fewer losses by common opponents (11 losses to 14 losses by the Bears' opponents). Chicago won the wildcard over Washington based on better net points in conference games (48 to Redskins' 4). Philadelphia finished ahead of N.Y. Giants based on head-to-head sweep (2-0).
1977 NFL Standings
American Football Conference
Eastern DivisionCentral DivisionWestern Division
Baltimore Colts
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
Buffalo Bills
New York Jets
10-4-0
10-4-0
9-5-0
3-11-0
3-11-0
0.714
0.714
0.643
0.214
0.214
Pittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals
Houston Oilers
Cleveland Browns
9-5-0
8-6-0
8-6-0
6-8-0
0.643
0.571
0.571
0.429
Denver Broncos
Oakland Raiders*
San Diego Chargers
Seattle Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs
12-2-0
11-3-0
7-7-0
5-9-0
2-12-0
0.857
0.786
0.500
0.357
0.143
National Football Conference
Eastern DivisionCentral DivisionWestern Division
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins
St. Louis Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles
New York Giants
12-2-0
9-5-0
7-7-0
5-9-0
5-9-0
0.857
0.643
0.500
0.357
0.357
Minnesota Vikings
Chicago Bears*
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9-5-0
9-5-0
6-8-0
4-10-0
2-12-0
0.643
0.643
0.429
0.286
0.143
Los Angeles Rams
Atlanta Falcons
San Francisco 49ers
New Orleans Saints
10-4-0
7-7-0
5-9-0
3-11-0
0.714
0.500
0.357
0.214

* Denotes night game | † Denotes Overtime
Dallas 1977 Schedule
DateOpponentScore
Regular Season (12-2)
Sun9/18at MinnesotaW16-10†
Sun9/25N.Y. GiantsW41-21
Sun10/2Tampa BayW23-7
Sun10/9at St. LouisW30-24
Sun10/16WashingtonW34-16
Sun10/23at PhiladelphiaW16-10
Sun10/30DetroitW37-0
Sun11/6at N.Y. GiantsW24-10
Mon*11/14St. LouisL17-24
Sun11/20at PittsburghL13-28
Sun11/27at WashingtonW14-7
Sun12/4PhiladelphiaW24-14
Mon*12/12at San FranciscoW42-35
Sun12/18DenverW14-6
Post Season
Mon12/26ChicagoW37-7
Sun1/1MinnesotaW23-6
* Denotes night game | † Denotes Overtime
Denver 1977 Schedule
DateOpponentScore
Regular Season (12-2)
Sun9/18St. LouisW7-0
Sun9/25BuffaloW26-6
Sun10/2at SeattleW24-13
Sun10/9Kansas CityW23-7
Sun10/16at OaklandW30-7
Sun10/23at CincinnatiW24-13
Sun10/30OaklandL14-24
Sun11/6PittsburghW21-7
Sun11/13at San DiegoW17-14
Sun11/20at Kansas CityW14-7
Sun11/27BaltimoreW27-13
Sun12/4at HoustonW24-14
Sun12/11San DiegoW17-9
Sun12/18DallasL6-14
Post Season
Sat12/24PittsburghW34-21
Sun1/1OaklandW20-17

Starting Lineups
DALLASDENVER
OFFENSEDEFENSEOFFENSEDEFENSE
B.JohnsonWRE.JonesLEJ.DolbinWRB.ChavousLE
R.NeelyLTJ.PughDTA.MaurerLTR.CarterNT
H.ScottLGR.WhiteDTT.GlassicLGL.AlzadoRE
J.FitzgeraldCH.MartinREM.MontierCB.SwensonLOLB
T.RaffertyRGT.HendersonLLBP.HowardRGJ.RizzoLILB
P.DonovanRTB.BreunigMLBC.MinorRTR.GradisharRILB
B.J.DuPreeTED.D.LewisRLBR.OdomsTET.JacksonROLB
D.PearsonWRB.BarnesLCBH.MosesWRL.WrightLCB
R.StaubachQBA.KyleRCBC.MortonQBS.FoleyRCB
T.DorsettRBC.WatersSSO.ArmstrongRBB.ThompsonSS
R.NewhouseRBC.HarrisFSJ.KeyworthRBB.JacksonFS

Substitutions
DALLASDENVER
OFFENSEDEFENSEOFFENSEDEFENSE
L.Brinson (RB)L.Cole (DL)N.Weese (QB)J.Grant (DL)
D.Dennison (RB)B.Gregory (DL)J.Jensen (RB)B.Manor (DL)
S.Laidlaw (RB)D.Stalls (DL)R.Lytle (RB)P.Smith (DL)
P.Pearson (RB)G.Brown (LB)L.Perrin (RB)L.Evans (LB)
T.Hill (WR)M.Hegman (LB)J.Schultz (WR)R.Nairne (LB)
G.Richards (WR)B.Huther (LB)R.Upchurch (WR)G.Turk (LB)
A.Frederick (T)R.Hughes (DB)R.Egloff (TE)R.Poltl (DB)
R.Wright (T)M.Renfro (DB)B.Maples (C)R.Rich (DB)
J.Cooper (G)M.Washington (DB)H.Allison (T)
B.Lawless (G) G.Hyde (T)
KICKERSKICKERS
E.Herrera (K)D.White (P)J.Turner (K)B.Dilts (P)
DID NOT PLAYDID NOT PLAY
G.Carano (QB)J.Saldi (TE)C.Penrose (QB)S.Schindler (T)
L.Riley (CB)

Team Statistics
DALDEN
FIRST DOWNS-Total
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
17
8
8
1
11
8
1
2
3rd DOWN EFF.5/17-29%2/12-17%
4th DOWN EFF.1/1-100%3/4-75%
TOTAL NET YARDS
Total Offensive Plays
Average Gain
325
71
4.6
156
58
2.7
NET RUSH YARDS
Rushing Plays
Average Gain
143
38
3.8
121
29
4.2
NET PASS YARDS
Pass Att-Comp-INT
Tackled-Yds Lost
Gross Yards Passing
182
28-19-0
5-35
217
35
25-8-4
4-26
61
PUNTS-Yards
Average Dist.
Blocked
5-208
41.6
0
4-153
38.3
0
RETURN YARDS-Total
Punt Returns
Kickoff Returns
Interception Returns
97
1-0
3-51
4-46
195
4-22
6-173
0-0
PENALTIES-yards 12-948-60
TOTAL TURNOVERS
Fumbles-Lost
Had Intercepted
2
6-2
0
8
4-4
4
TOUCHDOWNS-Total
Rushing
Passing
Returns
3
1
2
0
1
1
0
0
EXTRA POINTS-Made
Kicking-Made/Att
Blocked
3
3/3
0
1
1/1
0
FIELD GOALS-Made/Att
Blocked
2/5
0
1/1
0
SAFETIES 00
TOTAL POINTS 2710
T.O.P.38:3821:22
Scoring Summary
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Total
DALLAS1037727
DENVER0010010

1st Quarter

  • DAL - T.Dorsett, 3 yard rush. E.Herrera kick. 5-25, TOP 2:40 (10:31)
  • DAL - E.Herrera, 35 yard FG. 5-17, TOP 1:56 (13:29)
2nd Quarter
  • DAL - E.Herrera, 43 yard FG. 7-32, TOP 3:34 (3:44)
3rd Quarter
  • DEN - J.Turner, 47 yard FG. 8-35, TOP 2:28 (2:28)
  • DAL - B.Johnson, 45 yard pass from R.Staubach. E.Herrera kick. 5-58, TOP 2:29 (8:01)
  • DEN - R.Lytle, 1 yard rush. J.Turner kick. 5-26, TOP 1:20 (9:21)
4th Quarter
  • DAL - G.Richards, 29 yard pass from R.Newhouse. E.Herrera kick. 1-29, TOP 0:07 (7:56)


Cowboys head coach Tom Landry celebrates the victory. (Dallas Morning News)

Individual Statistics
DALLAS COWBOYSDENVER BRONCOS
PASSING
ATCMPPCTYDSTDINTYDS/CMPSK/YD
R.Staubach251768.01831010.85/35
D.White2150.05005.00/0
R.Newhouse11100.0291029.00/0
TOTAL281967.92172011.45/35
PASSING
ATCMPPCTYDSINTTDYDS/CMPSK/YD
C.Morton15426.739409.82/20
N.Weese10440.022005.52/6
TOTAL25826.161407.64/26
RUSHING
ATTYDSAVGLGTD
T.Dorsett15664.4191
R.Newhouse14553.9100
P.Pearson3113.750
R.Staubach362.050
D.White11313.0130
S.Laidlaw111.010
B.Johnson1-9-9.0-90
TOTAL381433.8191
RUSHING
ATTYDSAVGLGTD
R.Lytle10353.5161
O.Armstrong7273.9180
J.Keyworth591.860
N.Weese3268.7100
L.Perrin382.740
J.Jensen11616.0160
TOTAL291214.2181
RECEIVING
NOYDSAVGLGTD
P.Pearson5377.4110
B.J.DuPree46616.5190
R.Newhouse3-1-0.350
B.Johnson25326.545t1
G.Richards23819.029t1
T.Dorsett2115.5150
D.Pearson11313.0130
TOTAL1921711.445t2
RECEIVING
NOYDSAVGLGTD
J.Dolbin22412.0150
R.Odoms294.5100
H.Moses12121.0210
R.Upchurch199.090
J.Jensen155.050
L.Perrin1-7-7.0-70
TOTAL8617.6240
PUNTING
NOYDSAVGLGIN20TB
D.White520841.65300
PUNTING
NOYDSAVGLGIN20TB
B.Dilts415338.24611
PUNT RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
T.Hill1100.000
PUNT RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
R.Upchurch30227.380
J.Schultz1000.000
TOTAL40225.580
KICKOFF RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
B.Johnson202914.5150
L.Brinson102222.0220
TOTAL302917.0220
KICKOFF RETURNS
NOFCYDSAVGLGTD
R.Upchurch309431.3670
J.Schultz206231.0370
J.Jensen101717.0170
TOTAL6017328.8260
INTERCEPTIONS BY
NOYDSAVGLGTD
M.Washington12727.0270
A.Kyle11919.0190
B.Barnes100.000
R.Hughes100.000
TOTAL44611.5270
INTERCEPTIONS BY
NOYDSAVGLGTD
TOTAL000.000
FUMBLES
DALLASFUMOWN-RECYDSTDFRCD OPP-RECYDSTDOOB
B.Johnson 220000000
T.Hill 110000000
T.Dorsett 100000000
B.J.DuPree 100000000
R.Staubach 100000000
J.Fitzgerald010000000
B.Huther 000001000
R.Hughes 0000022100
A.Kyle 000001000
H.Martin 000010000
TOTAL 6400042100
DENVERFUMOWN-RECYDSTDFRCD OPP-RECYDSTDOOB
J.Schultz100000000
J.Dolbin 100000000
R.Odoms 100000000
N.Weese 100000000
T.Jackson000011000
R.Carter 000001000
TOTAL 400012000

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

TKLASTCOMSCK/YDSINTPDFFFR TKLASTFFFRBLTKLASTFFFR
B.Breunig5050.00.00100 00000 0000
R.White5051.011.00000 00000 0000
E.Jones3030.00.00300 00000 0000
J.Pugh3030.00.00000 00000 0000
B.Barnes2020.00.01000 10000 0000
C.Harris2020.00.00000 00000 0000
T.Henderson2020.00.00000 20000 0000
A.Kyle2020.00.01001 00000 0000
D.D.Lewis2021.05.00000 10000 0000
H.Martin2022.010.00010 00000 0000
M.Washington2020.00.01000 00000 0000
C.Waters2020.00.00000 00000 0000
L.Cole1010.00.00000 00000 0000
M.Hegman1010.00.00000 10000 0000
R.Hughes1010.00.01002 10000 0000
M.Renfro1010.00.00000 00000 0000
J.Fitzgerald0000.00.00000 00000 0001
T.Hill0000.00.00000 10000 0001
B.Huther0000.00.00000 10010 0000
B.Johnson0000.00.00000 00010 0001
TOTAL360364.021.04413 80020 0003
TKL = Tackle
PD = Pass Defense
AST = Assist
FF = Forced Fumble
COM = Combined
FR = Fumble Recovery
INT = Interception
BL = Blocked
DENVER BRONCOSREGULAR DEFENSIVE PLAYSSPECIAL TEAMSMISC

TKLASTCOMSCK/YDSINTPDFFFR TKLASTFFFRBLTKLASTFFFR
R.Carter7073.019.00011 00000 0000
T.Jackson7070.00.00001 00000 0000
J.Rizzo7070.00.00000 00000 0000
R.Gradishar5160.00.00000 00000 0000
L.Alzado5051.010.00000 00000 0000
B.Jackson4040.00.00000 10000 0000
B.Swenson4040.00.00000 00000 0000
L.Wright4040.00.00000 00000 0000
W.Thompson3030.00.00000 00000 0000
B.Chavous2020.00.00000 00000 0000
J.Grant2020.00.00000 00000 0000
P.Smith1010.00.00000 00000 0000
R.Rich0000.00.00000 10000 0000
C.Minor0000.00.00000 00000 1000
H.Moses0000.00.00000 00000 1000
R.Odoms0000.00.00000 00000 1000
L.Perrin0000.00.00000 00000 1000
TOTAL511524.029.00012 20000 4000

© 2010, Hoffco, Inc. The CompleteSuperBowl.com website is maintained by Hoffco, Inc. This site is for reference use only, and is not a money-making enterprise. This site is in no way endorsed or sponsored by the NFL. The name "NFL" and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League. The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. For more information, please visit NFL.com.