1977 Season
At Houston Oilers (0-0)
Huff gets the start but tosses two interceptions, while DeBerg comes off in relief and throws one of this own. Walker Gilette sets a new Monarchs record with 129 yards receiving. Normally reliable kicker Gerg Wilson shanks his first extra point attempt for the new season.
Lost 9-28.
At Los Angeles Rams (0-1)
We got the early lead thanks to a 48 yard rushing touchdown from Tom Brennan. Aidan Torretta went one better and got a 62 yard rushing touchdown of his own, setting up a dramatic fourth quarter. London tied the game at 24 with 2:14 remaining as Huff found Gillette on the end of a 34 yard bomb. Gerg Wilson attempted a 55 yarder as time expired but the kick was short. The Monarchs would get the ball first in extra time but fail to earn a first down, setting up the Rams' opportunity for victory.
Lost 24-27 in extra time.
At Buffalo Bills (2-0)
The final game of our roadtrip to start 1977. The Bills attempted to stuff the ball down our throats, through their powerhouse running back O.J. Simpson, and their defense did a stellar job of stuffing our own running back Tom Brennan (11 yards on 13 carries). Aidan Torretta would claim the lead for London, which we held right through until the last dramatic 20 seconds. With Buffalo backed up on their own 6 yard line, rookie corner Herm Edwards would force a fumble from receiver Reggie Craig, pick up the ball and run into the end zone without a hand on him. First victory for 1977. If you don't count the 3-0 win against expansion Barcelona last year, it is the first time we kept an NFL offense without a touchdown.
Won 13-3.
Home v Oakland Raiders (3-0)
A massive test to open our home season. The game looked to be over quickly when the Raiders opened a 14-10 lead, but the Monarchs would fight back to reduce the deficit to just four points. Oakland would take just three plays to answer and took a 21-10 lead to the sheds. Two early scores in the second half would see the game over as a contest and the Raiders advanced their perfect record.
Lost 13-38.
We have a bye during Week 5, after which time Dallas (5-0), Oakland (5-0), Pittsburgh (5-0) Denver (4-0) and Chicago (4-0) are still unbeaten, while Detroit (0-5) and Barcelona (0-5) are still chasing their first wins for 1977. Detroit played in the NFC Championship Game last year, while Barcelona are still looking for their first win in franchise history, losing 21 in a row.
At Baltimore Colts (1-4)
The Colts have had a poor start to the season, but you wouldn't know by the way they mishandled us. Four quick touchdowns in the first half and the game was as good as over.
Lost 6-31.
Home v Houston Oilers (2-3)
The AFC South is incredibly weak this year, with us standing just a game behind the division leaders. We trade field goals then allow the Oilers to get a 13-3 lead. We claw it back and even the ledger at halftime, thanks to a Huff 46 yard pass to Carrell. Gerg Wilson puts us ahead in the dying moments of the third quarter, and Houston quickly reply. With two minutes in the game, we are building a drive when receiver Marcos Will fumbles in midfield. The ball is picked up by a Monarch however and taken 58 yards down the field for the winning score! We are now half a game behind the Colts.
Won 23-16.
At Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)
We hang around for three quarters, but decisively lose the game on a pick six.
Lost 13-30
Home v Denver Broncos (6-1)
A golden opportunity slips through our fingers. We outplay the AFC West leaders for 56 minutes, holding a 16-3 lead until Terry Hanratty springs the Broncos offense into life. Rick Upchurch was the main beneficary of his passes, finding two touchdown passes as well as a vital 36 yard gain on third-and-long during what would turn out to be the game-winning drive. Lyle Alzado made a critical stop, bringing down free agent running back Jim Jodat a yard short of keeping the Monarchs drive alive. With the loss, we are 2-6 at the halfway point of the season.
Lost 19-24
At San Diego Chargers (5-3)
An abysmal performance, with our running backs making a grand total of 11 yards. Our only touchdown was scored through a 98 yard interception return.
Lost 7-33
Home v Barcelona Dragons (0-9)
An awful first half from both teams, with just two field goals on the board at halftime. Barcelona would grab another field goal before Jim Jodat put London in front. His efforts were in vain as Barcelona benefited from our turnovers, and Tony Dorsett placed the Dragons in front again at 13-10. We levelled the score again with 9:10 to go, but couldn't stop our rapid rate of turnovers. Barcelona had the opportunity to drive downfield and set up a game-winning drive, but quarterback Jon Fears destroyed the Dragons' hopes, tossing a pick six and gifting London our third win of the year. The two teams combined for six turnovers, including three fumbles lost.
Won 20-13
Home v St Louis Cardinals (7-3)
A dour game but London has its first winning streak in franchise history.Gary Huff is poor once again at quarterback and is turning the ball over far too often. However, KC Beckam seems determined to keep him under center, and that's probably the best option of a poor trio. The defense sealed the win with an interception inside the two minute warning, and the disbelieving Cardinals drop out of the wildcard places in the NFL.
Won 10-6
Home v Cleveland Browns (6-5)
We are brought back to earth with a smashing loss, accentuated by two pick sixes from Gary Huff. Steve DeBerg closes out the game.
Lost 13-45
At Seattle Seahawks (5-7)
Our second West Coast trip sees us fall agonisingly short against the Seahawks. Although we hold Seattle to just 11 first downs (compared to our 21), we allow the hometown team to score the winning drive late in the fourth quarter and have no means to counter.
Lost 9-10
At Barcelona Dragons (0-13)
The winless Dragons get the jump on us early, scoring 10 points in the first three minutes thanks to our turnovers. Steve DeBerg rights the ship somewhat but another turnover from the rookie sees Barcelona get a 17-7 lead early in the second quarter. The hometown crowd were in raptures. We trade touchdowns and the Dragons lead 24-17 at the long break. Quarterback Jon Fears restores the 14 point lead with a scramble early in the third quarter, but our special teams come up big with a fumble return from a punt. The game is finally put beyond our reach in the fourth quarter when the Dragons score. Appropriately, the game ends on an intercept. Barcelona break a 29 game losing streak.
Lost 24-38
Home v San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
Rookie quarterback Steve DeBerg throws three touchdown passes - but two of them for the Niners. Rookie corner Herman Edwards does well with two picks of his own, and we outlast San Francisco at home. Gerg Wilson contributes four field goals.
Won 19-14
Home v Baltimore Colts (7-8)
Baltimore have already wrapped up the division despite their poorly form, and we have the opportunity to finish just one game behind them in the standings. A bizarre statline from DeBerg with nearly more yards (31) than pass attempts (30). Herm Edwards grabs a pick six, and must be in strong contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year honours. The Colts even up their record with a big win. It seems likely that this was KC Beckam's last game as coach, having amassed a 9-23 record in two seasons.
Lost 13-37.
Code:
1977 Summary for London Monarchs
Year 1977
Record 5-11
Winning Pct. .312
All-Time 9-23
Winning Pct. .281
Playoffs 0-0
Playoff Visits 0
Bowl Wins 0
Head Coach K.C. Beckam
Record 9-23
Winning Pct. .281
Off. Coord. J. Martin
Def. Coord. G. Crane
Asst. Coach J. Cornplow
Stren. Coord. R. Logan
London Monarchs Team Rank
Rushes per Game 19.9 29
Rushing Yards 71.9 28
Yards Per Carry 3.61 19
Pass Attempts 40.5 4
Completions 23.4 10 (T)
Completion Pct. 57.9 27
Passing Yards 201.4 24
Yards Per Attempt 4.97 30
Yards Per Catch 8.59 30
Total Yardage Gained 252.8 30
3rd Down Conversions 28.4 27
Points Per Game 14.7 28 (T)
Pass Rush Pct. 17.6 22
Pass Defense Pct. 47.1 23
Turnovers 30 21 (T)
Turnover Margin +4 12
Opponents Team Rank
Rushes per Game 29.6 26
Rushing Yards 112.8 27
Yards Per Carry 3.81 19
Pass Attempts 35.3 13 (T)
Completions 22.1 17 (T)
Completion Pct. 62.7 21
Passing Yards 227.5 17
Yards Per Attempt 6.44 22
Yards Per Catch 10.28 16
Total Yardage Gained 328.9 27
3rd Down Conversions 36.4 26
Points Per Game 24.6 30
Pass Rush Pct. 20.7 21
Pass Defense Pct. 54.2 22
Turnovers 34 3 (T)
Week Team Versus Oppnt
1 9 at HOU 28
2 24 at LA 27
3 13 at BUF 3
4 13 OAK 38
6 6 at BAL 31
7 23 HOU 16
8 13 at KC 30
9 19 DEN 24
10 7 at SD 33
11 20 BAR 13
12 10 STL 6
13 13 CLE 45
14 9 at SEA 10
15 24 at BAR 38
16 19 SF 14
17 13 BAL 37
Passing Pos Att Comp Yards Y/Att TD Int Rate
19 G. Huff QB 522 310 2684 5.14 6 10 68.8
4 S. Deberg QB 126 65 539 4.28 2 10 35.1
**Team --- 648 375 3223 4.97 8 20 62.3
$$Opp --- 565 354 3640 6.44 25 19 81.9
Rushing Pos Att Yards Y/Att TD Fum
42 T. Brennan RB 159 586 3.69 1 5
20 J. Jodat RB 93 245 2.63 2 1
28 A. Torretta RB 40 227 5.68 3 0
**Team --- 319 1151 3.61 6 31
$$Opp --- 474 1805 3.81 13 30
Receiving Pos Targ Catch Yards Y/Ctc Y/Tar Drop TD
16 H. Twilley WR 120 68 666 9.79 5.55 11 1
86 W. Gillette WR 122 63 621 9.86 5.09 12 3
80 M. Will WR 123 59 656 11.12 5.33 7 1
84 T. Carrell WR 70 41 342 8.34 4.89 8 1
20 J. Jodat RB 50 33 194 5.88 3.88 4 1
34 S. Thornton FB 28 23 128 5.57 4.57 1 0
42 T. Brennan RB 30 22 102 4.64 3.40 3 0
17 J. Perkins WR 37 20 160 8.00 4.32 5 0
Defense Pos Tack Asst Sack Hurr Ints Defn PDPct
99 T. Kearney ILB 101 27 1.5 2 3 4 76.9
30 E. Buckner S 89 37 0.0 0 2 11 80.5
98 D. Lewis OLB 66 23 1.0 2 2 5 74.5
46 M. Wilkins S 50 25 0.0 0 0 5 77.4
38 P. Smith CB 45 9 0.0 0 0 3 72.2
95 T. Fielder DT 43 18 4.5 6 0 0 82.2
54 J. Gardner OLB 42 11 2.0 1 1 1 69.1
47 H. Edwards CB 40 10 0.0 1 6 9 85.9
70 J. Owens DE 39 11 6.0 11 0 0 81.4
71 D. Reese DT 34 10 1.0 7 0 0 81.2
21 T. Henke CB 33 15 1.0 0 3 4 79.6
78 J. Yeates DE 30 15 3.5 12 0 0 80.7
22 C. Parson CB 30 8 0.0 1 2 1 77.1
33 T. Brown S 26 6 1.0 0 0 3 75.9
72 B. Bullard DE 26 4 4.5 6 0 0 77.6
90 T. Luscinski OLB 20 3 1.0 0 0 1 70.1
93 A. Palewicz OLB 17 4 1.0 0 0 0 71.7
73 M. Fultz DT 17 3 1.0 4 0 0 80.9
Individual Game Records Set in 1977
Pass Attempts - Gary Huff (59 v Seattle)
Pass Completions - Gary Huff (34 v Kansas City)
Yards Per Pass Attempt - Steve DeBerg (7.50 v Barcelona)
Receptions - Howard Twilley (10 v St Louis; equals record of 10 set by Marcos Will in 1976)
Receiving Yards - Walker Gillette (129 v Houston)
Yards Per Reception - Walker Gillette (21.50 v Houston)
Targeted Passes - Marcos Will (15 v Kansas City)
Passes Dropped - Walker Gillette (6 v Seattle)
Interceptions - Herm Edwards (2 v San Francisco) and Tim Kearney (2 v Kansas City)
Tackles - Tim Kearney (13 v Baltimore)
Assists - Emmett Buckner (6 v Buffalo; 6 v Houston)
Hurries - Tom Fielder (4 v Los Angeles)
Field Goals - Gerg Wilson (4 v Denver; 4 v San Francisco)
Key Run Blocks - Tom Drougas (4 v Baltimore, equals record of 4 set by Mackenzie Gist in 1976)
Key Run Opportunities - Tom Drougas (10 v San Francisco)
Punt Return Yards - Tom Henke (46 v Buffalo)
Kickoff Return Yards - Tom Brennan (167 v Barcelona)
Yards From Scrimmage - Walker Gillette (129 v Houston)
All-Purpose Yards - Tom Brennan (196 v Houston)
Team Game Records Set in 1977
Pass Attempts - 59 v Seattle