1964 Buffalo Bills season

5th season in franchise history, first league championship

← 1963
[[Buffalo Bills|Bills seasons]]
1965 →

The 1964 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s fifth season. Buffalo was 12–2 in the regular season and won the first of two consecutive championships in the American Football League.

The 1964 Bills' defense set an AFL record by giving up the fewest rushing yards in league history, with only 918, or 65.5 yards per game.^[1] They also led the league in points allowed (242), total yards allowed (3,878), first downs surrendered (206), and rushing touchdowns allowed (four).^[2]

Buffalo's offense also led the AFL in total yards (5,206), passing yards (2,040) and total points (400).^[3]

Offseason

AFL Draft

Personnel

Staff

1964 Buffalo Bills staff
Front office President/team owner – Ralph Wilson Vice-president/minority owner - Pat McGroder Head coaches Head coach – Lou Saban Offensive coaches Running backs/wide receivers – John Mazur Offensive line – Jerry Smith			Defensive coaches Linebackers/Defensive Backs – Joe Collier

1964 Buffalo Bills staff

Front office

President/team owner – Ralph Wilson
Vice-president/minority owner - Pat McGroder

Head coaches

Head coach – Lou Saban

Offensive coaches

Running backs/wide receivers – John Mazur
Offensive line – Jerry Smith

Defensive coaches

Linebackers/Defensive Backs – Joe Collier

Roster

1964 Buffalo Bills roster
Quarterbacks 15 Jack Kemp 12 Daryle Lamonica Running backs 43 Joe Auer RB 30 Wray Carlton RB 34 Cookie Gilchrist FB 47 Willie Ross HB 20 Bobby Smith HB Wide receivers 85 Glenn Bass 44 Elbert Dubenion 81 Bill Groman 40 Ed Rutkowski QB/RB/WR/KR Tight ends 84 Ernie Warlick		Offensive linemen 77 Stew Barber T 50 Al Bemiller G 53 Walt Cudzik C 73 George Flint G 79 Dick Hudson T 67 Joe O'Donnell G 66 Billy Shaw G Defensive linemen 88 Tom Day DE 78 Jim Dunaway DT 74 Tom Keating DT 75 Dudley Meredith DT 72 Ron McDole DE 83 Hatch Rosdahl DE 70 Tom Sestak DT		Linebackers 64 Harry Jacobs MLB 58 Mike Stratton OLB 51 John Tracey OLB Defensive backs 46 Ray Abruzzese SS 42 Butch Byrd CB 45 Hagood Clarke SS 25 Oliver Dobbins CB 24 Booker Edgerson CB 26 George Saimes FS 23 Eugene Sykes FS 22 Charley Warner CB Special teams 3 Pete Gogolak K 55 Paul Maguire LB/P
Note: rookies in italics

1964 Buffalo Bills roster

Quarterbacks

15 Jack Kemp
12 Daryle Lamonica

Running backs

43 Joe Auer RB
30 Wray Carlton RB
34 Cookie Gilchrist FB
47 Willie Ross HB
20 Bobby Smith HB

Wide receivers

85 Glenn Bass
44 Elbert Dubenion
81 Bill Groman
40 Ed Rutkowski QB/RB/WR/KR

Tight ends

84 Ernie Warlick

Offensive linemen

77 Stew Barber T
50 Al Bemiller G
53 Walt Cudzik C
73 George Flint G
79 Dick Hudson T
67 Joe O'Donnell G
66 Billy Shaw G

Defensive linemen

88 Tom Day DE
78 Jim Dunaway DT
74 Tom Keating DT
75 Dudley Meredith DT
72 Ron McDole DE
83 Hatch Rosdahl DE
70 Tom Sestak DT

Linebackers

64 Harry Jacobs MLB
58 Mike Stratton OLB
51 John Tracey OLB

Defensive backs

46 Ray Abruzzese SS
42 Butch Byrd CB
45 Hagood Clarke SS
25 Oliver Dobbins CB
24 Booker Edgerson CB
26 George Saimes FS
23 Eugene Sykes FS
22 Charley Warner CB

Special teams

3 Pete Gogolak K
55 Paul Maguire LB/P

Note: rookies in italics

Regular season

Season schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 13	Kansas City Chiefs	W 34–17	1–0	War Memorial Stadium	30,157	Recap
2	September 20	Denver Broncos	W 30–13	2–0	War Memorial Stadium	28,501	Recap
3	September 26	San Diego Chargers	W 30–3	3–0	War Memorial Stadium	40,167	Recap
4	October 3	Oakland Raiders	W 23–20	4–0	War Memorial Stadium	36,461	Recap
5	October 11	at Houston Oilers	W 48–17	5–0	Jeppesen Stadium	26,218	Recap
6	October 18	at Kansas City Chiefs	W 35–22	6–0	Municipal Stadium	20,904	Recap
7	October 24	New York Jets	W 34–24	7–0	War Memorial Stadium	39,621	Recap
8	November 1	Houston Oilers	W 24–10	8–0	War Memorial Stadium	40,119	Recap
9	November 8	at New York Jets	W 20–7	9–0	Shea Stadium	61,929	Recap
10	November 15	Boston Patriots	L 28–36	9–1	War Memorial Stadium	42,308	Recap
11	Bye
12	November 26	at San Diego Chargers	W 27–24	10–1	Balboa Stadium	34,865	Recap
13	December 6	at Oakland Raiders	L 13–16	10–2	Frank Youell Field	18,134	Recap
14	December 13	at Denver Broncos	W 30–19	11–2	Bears Stadium	14,431	Recap
15	December 20	at Boston Patriots	W 24–14	12–2	Fenway Park	38,021	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	3	14	0	17
• Bills	31	0	0	3	34

Date: September 13
Location: War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, NY
Game attendance: 30,157
Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C); wind 6 mph

Scoring summary

Q1	BUF	Gogolak 13 yard field goal	BUF 3–0

Q1	BUF	Bass 10 yard pass from Kemp (Gogolak kick)	BUF 10–0

Q1	BUF	Dubenion 6 yard pass from Kemp (Gogolak kick)	BUF 17–0

Q1	BUF	Bass 17 yard pass from Kemp (Gogolak kick)	BUF 24–0

Q1	BUF	Sestak 15 yard interception return (Gogolak kick)	BUF 31–0

Q2	KC	Brooker 12 yard field goal	BUF 31–3

Q3	KC	Arbanas 5 yard pass from Dawson (Brooker kick)	BUF 31–10

Q3	KC	Haynes 44 yard pass from Dawson (Brooker kick)	BUF 31–17

Q4	BUF	Gogolak 13 yard field goal	BUF 34–17

^[4]

Week 2

	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	7	3	0	13
• Bills	3	10	7	10	30

Date: September 20
Location: War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, NY
Game attendance: 28,501
Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C); wind 11 mph

Scoring summary

Q1	DEN	Mingo 51 yard field goal	DEN 3–0

Q1	BUF	Gogolak 33 yard field goal	Tie 3–3

Q2	BUF	Gilchrist 15 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 10–3

Q2	BUF	Gogolak 21 yard field goal	BUF 13–3

Q2	DEN	Taylor 46 yard pass from Lee (Mingo kick)	BUF 13–10

Q3	DEN	Mingo 49 yard field goal	Tie 13–13

Q3	BUF	Gilchrist 1 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 20–13

Q4	BUF	Gogolak 17 yard field goal	BUF 23–13

Q4	BUF	Lamonica 8 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 30–13

^[5]

Week 3

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	3	0	0	3
• Bills	7	7	3	13	30

Date: September 26
Location: War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, NY
Game attendance: 40,167
Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C); wind 13 mph

Scoring summary

Q1	BUF	Byrd 85 yard interception return (Gogolak kick)	BUF 7–0

Q2	SD	Blair 12 yard field goal	BUF 7–3

Q2	BUF	Clarke 53 yard punt return (Gogolak kick)	BUF 14–3

Q3	BUF	Gogolak 13 yard field goal	BUF 17–3

Q4	BUF	Auer 2 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 24–3

Q4	BUF	Dubenion 40 yard pass from Lamonica (kick failed)	BUF 30–3

^[6]

Week 4

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	3	0	7	10	20
• Bills	0	7	7	9	23

Date: October 3
Location: War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, NY
Game attendance: 36,461
Game weather: 58°; wind 17 mph

Scoring summary

Q1	OAK	Mercer 25 yard field goal	OAK 3–0

Q2	BUF	Kemp 9 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 7–3

Q3	OAK	Davidson 6 yard run (Mercer kick)	OAK 10–7

Q3	BUF	Lamonica 1 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 14–10

Q4	OAK	Mercer 19 yard field goal	BUF 14–13

Q4	BUF	Dubenion 44 yard pass from Lamonica (Gogolak kick)	BUF 21–13

Q4	BUF	Safety, Davidson tackled by McDole in end zone	BUF 23–13

Q4	OAK	Herock 4 yard pass from Davdison (Mercer kick)	BUF 23–20

^[7]

Week 5

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Bills	14	17	17	10	58
Oilers	7	3	7	0	17

Date: October 11
Location: Jeppesen Stadium, Houston, TX
Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C); wind 4 mph

Scoring summary

Q1	BUF	Gilchrist 1 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 7–0

Q1	HOU	Blanks 4 yard run (Blanda kick)	Tie 7–7

Q1	BUF	Bass 9 yard pass from Kemp (Gogolak kick)	BUF 14–7

Q2	BUF	Dubenion 19 yard pass from Kemp (Gogolak kick)	BUF 21–7

Q2	HOU	Blanda 47 yard field goal	BUF 21–10

Q2	BUF	Bass 94 yard pass from Kemp (Gogolak kick)	BUF 28–10

Q2	BUF	Gogolak 18 yard field goal	BUF 31–10

Q3	HOU	Hennigan 53 yard pass from Blanda (Blanda kick)	BUF 31–17

Q3	BUF	Gilchirst 3 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 38–17

Q4	BUF	Gogolak 26 yard field goal	BUF 41–17

Q4	BUF	Ross 1 yard run (Gogolak kick)	BUF 48–17

Jack Kemp 14/26, 378 Yds
Elbert Dubenion 5 Rec, 183 Yds
Glenn Bass 5 Rec, 147 Yds

^[8]

Standings

AFL Eastern Division
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	PF	PA	STK
Buffalo Bills	12	2	0	.857	5–1	400	242	W2
Boston Patriots	10	3	1	.769	4–2	365	297	L1
New York Jets	5	8	1	.385	2–4	278	315	L3
Houston Oilers	4	10	0	.286	1–5	310	355	W2

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings in the AFL.

Postseason

Round	Date	Opponent	Result	Venue	Attendance	Recap
Championship	December 26	San Diego Chargers	W 20–7	40,242	War Memorial Stadium	Recap

AFL Championship Game

	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	7	0	0	0	7
• Bills	3	10	0	7	20

Date: December 26
Location: War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York
Game attendance: 40,242
Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C) • Wind 13 mph

Scoring summary

1	SD	Dave Kocourek 26 yard pass from Tobin Rote (Keith Lincoln kick)	Chargers 7–0

1	BUF	Pete Gogolak 12 yard field goal	Chargers 7–3

2	BUF	Wray Carlton 4 yard run (Pete Gogolak kick)	Bills 10–7

2	BUF	Pete Gogolak 17 yard field goal	Bills 13–7

4	BUF	Jack Kemp 1 yard run (Pete Gogolak kick)	Bills 20–7

^[9]

Player stats

Passing

Player	Comp	Att	Yds	Completion %	TD	INT
Jack Kemp	119	269	2285	44.2	13	26
Daryle Lamonica	55	128	1137	43.0	6	8

^[10]

Rushing

Player	Att	Yds	Average	Long	TD
Cookie Gilchrist	230	981	4.3	67	6
B. Smith	62	306	4.9	37	4
Daryle Lamonica	55	289	5.3	18	6
Joe Auer	63	191	3.0	21	2
Jack Kemp	37	124	3.4	14	5
Wray Carlton	39	114	2.9	11	1

^[10]

Special teams

Kicking

Player	FG	Att	XP	XP Att	Pts
Pete Gogolak	19	29	45	46	102

Punting

Player	No.	Yards	Avg.	Long
Paul Maguire	65	2777	42.7	64

Awards and records

Lou Saban, Coach of the Year

References

^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by ascending opp Rushing Yds
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1964 AFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics
^ Pro-Football-Reference: 1964 AFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-26.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-27.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-28.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Sep-29.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Oct-12.
^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
^ ^a ^b "1964 Buffalo Bills Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.

External links

Buffalo Bills on Pro Football Reference
Buffalo Bills on jt-sw.com
1964 AFL Champions

v t e Buffalo Bills seasons
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Bold indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl victory Italics indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance

Buffalo Bills seasons

Bold indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl victory
Italics indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance

v t e Buffalo Bills 1964 AFL champions
3 Pete Gogolak 12 Daryle Lamonica 15 Jack Kemp 20 Bobby Smith 22 Charley Warner 23 Gene Sykes 24 Booker Edgerson 25 Ollie Dobbins 26 George Saimes 30 Wray Carlton 34 Cookie Gilchrist 40 Ed Rutkowski 42 Butch Byrd 43 Joe Auer 44 Elbert Dubenion 45 Hagood Clarke 46 Ray Abruzzese 47 Willie Ross 50 Al Bemiller 51 John Tracey 53 Walt Cudzik 55 Paul Maguire 58 Mike Stratton 60 Dave Behrman 64 Harry Jacobs 66 Billy Shaw 67 Joe O'Donnell 70 Tom Sestak 72 Ron McDole 73 George Flint 74 Tom Keating 75 Dudley Meredith 77 Stew Barber 78 Jim Dunaway 79 Dick Hudson 81 Bill Groman 83 Hatch Rosdahl 84 Ernie Warlick 85 Glenn Bass 88 Tom Day
Head Coach: Lou Saban
Assistant Coaches: Joe Collier John Mazur Jerry Smith

v t e Buffalo Bills
Founded in 1960 Based and headquartered in Orchard Park, New York
Franchise	Franchise History Players Seasons Pro Bowl selections First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks Coaches NFL in Toronto
Stadiums	War Memorial Stadium Highmark Stadium Rogers Centre (Bills Toronto Series) New Highmark Stadium (set to open in 2026)
Culture	Ralph Wilson Billy Buffalo Buffalo Jills Ken "Pinto Ron" Johnson Tim Russert Buffalo '66 Second String Flutie Flakes "Shout" song "3 Acts of God" Elway to Marino Four Falls of Buffalo Zubaz "No one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills!"
Lore	Electric Company Wide Right No Punt Game The Comeback Music City Miracle Snowvertime Hail Murray 13 Seconds
Rivalries	Kansas City Chiefs Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets Tennessee Titans
Division championships (14)	1964 1965 1966 1980 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1995 2020 2021 2022 2023
Conference championships (4)	1990 1991 1992 1993
League championships (2)	1964 1965
Wall of Fame	Simpson Kemp McGroder Sestak Shaw Wilson 12th Man Dubenion Stratton Ferguson Levy DeLamielleure James Abramoski Kalsu Saimes Kelly Smerlas Hull Talley Ritcher Thomas Reed Tasker Smith Edgerson Hansen Polian Miller Saban Gilchrist
Media	Broadcasters Radio Radio Network WGR 550 Television MSG Western New York Personalities: John Murphy Chris Brown Van Miller Eric Wood Steve Tasker
Owners	Ralph Wilson Pegula family Terry Kim
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: East Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)
Category Commons

National Football League seasons

Early era
(1920–1969)

1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
AAFC seasons (1946–1949)	1946 1947 1948 1949
AFL seasons (1960–1969)	1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969