Harris leads historic day by defense

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Posted Oct. 10, 2005
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Eric Goska

Harris leads historic day by defense

In matching a feat accomplished just once in 85 years of Packers history, cornerback Al Harris set in motion a performance not surpassed by the team in more than 50 years.

Harris, in his third year with the Packers, stepped in front of a first-quarter pass intended for Saints wide receiver Donte Stallworth and scored on a 22-yard return. He intercepted New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks for a second time on the final play of the opening period when Brooks again attempted to reach Stallworth.

Estus Hood is the only other Packer to intercept more than one pass in the first quarter of a game and return one of the first-quarter picks for a touchdown. Hood twice victimized Giants quarterback Scott Brunner, returning one 41 yards for a score in the opening 15 minutes of Green Bay’s 26-24 win on Nov. 8, 1981.

Harris’ interceptions were the first of five turnovers created by the Packers. Kenny Peterson recovered tight end Ernie Conwell’s fumble, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila fell on Todd Bouman’s fumble and Nick Barnett scored the game’s final touchdown with his 95-yard interception return of a Bouman pass.

Green Bay turned the five turnovers into 31 points. Brett Favre used Harris’ second interception to launch a 10-play, 68-yard drive that was capped by Najeh Davenport’s second touchdown run. Peterson’s recovery led to David Martin’s touchdown catch. Gbaja-Biamila’s alertness set up a Ryan Longwell field goal.

The Packers have not scored more than 31 points off turnovers in a game since 1952. They equaled that total on Nov. 11, 1967, in a 55-7 blowout of the Browns and on Oct. 6, 1985, in a 43-10 thrashing of the Lions.

Turnovers not only stop the opposition, they often result in a short field for the team causing them. Martin’s touchdown came on a 19-yard drive and the Packers moved 22 yards for Longwell’s field goal.

Not surprisingly, the Packers’ four shortest scoring drives (in terms of yards) this year were set up by turnovers.

While Green Bay’s defense was busy separating the Saints from the ball, the Packers did not commit a turnover for the first time this season. The Packers last played turnover-free ball against the Bears in last year’s season finale.

Harris, who made his 40th consecutive start (including playoffs) at right cornerback for Green Bay, has intercepted seven passes as a Packer. He returned three of those for touchdowns. Favre and the offense converted three of the other four into touchdowns, as well.

Quick hits: Harris and Barnett are the 10th Packers duo to return interceptions for touchdowns in the same game. Al Matthew and Jim Carter were the last, doing so in a 30-10 win over the Saints on Dec. 2, 1973.

Green Bay’s record is 10-0 in games in which it returns two interceptions for touchdowns.

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Turnovers into points

Since 1952, the games in which the Packers have converted opponent turnovers into the most points.


No., Team, Date

31, Browns, 11-12-1967

31, Lions, 10-6-1985

31, Saints, 10-9-2005

28, Eagles, 10-30-1954

28, Colts, 10-9-1960

28, Colts, 10-8-1961

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Not a bad article at that....
 

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