1962 San Diego Chargers season
[2] Future Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth came to the Chargers via this draft, though he was originally selected by the Oakland Raiders in the 2nd round.
[5] San Francisco president Vic Morabito stated that Alworth had requested a "no cut, no-trade" contract, which was against club policy.
[7] Head coach Sid Gillman inserted the rookie into the Charger line-up in week 1 – though Alworth was knocked out by injury early on in 1962, he would remain with San Diego through the 1970 season, accumulating over 9,000 yards receiving.
[9] Immediately after leading the Kansas Jayhawks to victory in the Bluebonnet Bowl, Hadl met Klosterman at the 20-yard line to sign a four-year contract with the Chargers, saying, "it's a young club and I feel I'll have more opportunity.
[24] During his time with the Chargers, Kemp was 22–6 as a starter in the regular season, though he had struggled in two title game defeats, throwing no touchdowns and six interceptions.
[31] Pat Shea went undrafted, but was given a try-out after his aggressive style during practice impressed offensive line coach Joe Madro.
[33] Fullback Gerry McDougall arrived late in the season, after his CFL team, the Toronto Argonauts, failed to make the playoffs.
[42] A road trip to Oakland saw San Diego overcome five turnovers to edge the Raiders 33–27 in their new venue, Frank Youell Field.
None of the trio posted a passer rating above 50, though Hadl did enough to secure a roster spot for the next season, throwing 15 touchdowns against 24 interceptions and passing for 1,632 yards while starting ten games.
[50][49] On the ground, Lincoln and rookie Bobby Jackson had the bulk of the carries in Lowe's absence, combining for 985 yards and seven touchdowns behind a line where tackle Ron Mix was San Diego's lone first-team All-AFL selection.
[51][49] Their two leading interceptors from 1961 were largely or entirely absent: Charlie McNeil was among the injured and missed ten games,[39] while Bob Zeman had been traded away to Denver.
Rookie linemen Ernie Ladd and Earl Faison led the team in the unofficial[a] statistic of quarterback sacks, with 9 and 5+1⁄2, respectively.
Former Charger Bob Scarpitto scored only six plays later, and Denver pushed their lead to 30–7 through the middle portion of the game, while San Diego failed to cross the Bronco 30.
[56] The Charger defense then produced a turnover: halfback Gene Mingo's pass attempt was picked off by Gibson and run back 37 yards for a touchdown.
[60] San Diego gained fewer first downs than the Titans (20–13) but enjoyed a 6–2 advantage in turnovers, with their defense claiming three fumbles and three interceptions.
Hadl was given the start, but his first pass attempt was intercepted, and George Blanda threw a touchdown one play later, putting his team ahead to stay.
Hadl came in at quarterback and led San Diego to a first down at the Oakland 17, but Fred Williamson picked off his next pass and went 91 yards the other way for another return touchdown.
[65] Oakland pulled three points back on the opening drive of the 2nd quarter, but Lincoln then broke off a 45-yard run, and Jackson powered through tacklers for a 6-yard touchdown on the next play.
With San Diego offering little threat, it was 35–3 to the Bills before Mitinger recovered a fumble and Hezekiah Braxton rushed for his only professional touchdown.
Boston opened the scoring with a field goal, but Wood led the Chargers 76 yards in 8 plays in response, connecting with Kocourek for a 36-yard touchdown pass on 3rd and 17.
A 57-yard kickoff return by Robinson gave San Diego an excellent chance to respond; Hadl came into the game and was immediately intercepted, before the Patriots made it three touchdown drives in a row.
Two Hadl runs and a pass interference penalty moved the ball to the Bronco 47, but former Charger Bob Zeman then stepped in with an interception, and Denver ran out the clock.
[81] In contrast to the statistical dominance of the first game, San Diego actually gained slightly more yardage on offense (370–335), though they lost the turnover count 5–2.
Houston's recovery began the play after a Maguire punt had pinned them two yards from their own end zone, as backup QB Jacky Lee found Willard Dewveall for a 98-yard touchdown.
[83] Houston pulled seven points back on their first possession of the second half, but Lee threw interceptions to Bethune and Bud Whitehead on consecutive pass attempts, both of which were converted into Blair field goals.
Blanda then returned as quarterback, completing four passes on a quick 77-yard touchdown drive, finishing by connecting with Dewveall from 16 yards – a successful two point conversion tied the scores.
An incompletion, a penalty, and a sack pushed San Diego back before Robinson was tackled well short on a 4th-down attempt and Houston ran out the clock.
The Raiders threatened several times throughout the first half, but were foiled by a turnover on downs, a missed field goal by former Charger Ben Agajanian, and Bethune's interception of a Cotton Davidson pass.
Stymied by three turnovers, San Diego snapped the ball in Patriots territory on only three of their first eleven possessions, which encompassed three and a half quarters.
[40] Lincoln broke off a 47-yard run down the right sideline on the first play of the second half, and Hadl followed up with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Norton.
