NFL game summary for 10/09/1977:
Mike Fuller's 88-yard punt return touchdown and a strong pass rush led the Chargers to their third straight win and a 2-0 series advantage over the Saints. Fuller's TD came 3:41 into the first quarter, three plays after Fred Dean sacked Archie Manning at the San Diego 48. The Chargers got their other score on their final possession of the game, driving 60 yards in eight plays with Rickey Young running in from five yards out with 1:16 remaining in the game. The San Diego defense limited Manning to a net passing total of 43 yards and sacked the New Orleans quarterback eight times. Dean, Louie Kelcher, and Gary Johnson each had two sacks.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 146.0 (12) | 118.3 (23) | 264.3 (18) | 8 |
| DEFENSE | 115.0 (8) | 113.3 (8) | 228.3 (7) | 8 | |
 | OFFENSE | 112.7 (19) | 127.7 (21) | 240.3 (22) | 3 |
| DEFENSE | 194.7 (27) | 154.7 (18) | 349.3 (26) | 5 |
Line: Saints by 1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Chargers (3-1-0) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| New Orleans Saints (1-3-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
( 7- 0) SD Mike Fuller 88 yard punt return (Rolf Benirschke kick) (14- 0) SD Rickey Young 5 yard rush (Rolf Benirschke kick)
SD NO
First Downs: 14 18
Rushes-yards: 31-132 36-157
Yards/rush: 4.3 4.4
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 11-2-137-0 16-26-124-1
Sacked-yards: 0-0 8-81
Net pass yards: 137 43
Net yards/pass: 68.5 1.3
Total net yards: 269 200
Total plays: 33 (93% run) 70 (51% run)
Yards/play: 8.2 2.9
Fumbles-lost: 2-2 2-1
Turnovers: 2 2
Penalties-yards: 7-50 6-46
Attendance: 53,942
Passing:
SD: James Harris, 11 of 21 for 137 yards NO: Archie Manning, 16 of 26 for 124 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
SD: Rickey Young, 11 for 40 yards and 1 TD; Don Woods, 9 for 33 yards; Bo Matthews, 3 for 32 yards; Clarence Williams, 3 for 15 yards; Joe Washington, 3 for 10 yards; James Harris, 2 for 2 yards NO: Chuck Muncie, 18 for 78 yards; Tony Galbreath, 16 for 63 yards; Archie Manning, 1 for 13 yards; Kim Jones, 1 for 3 yards
Receiving:
SD: Larry Dorsey, 3 for 43 yards; Bob Klein, 3 for 36 yards; Rickey Young, 3 for 27 yards; Charlie Joiner, 2 for 31 yards NO: Tony Galbreath, 9 for 55 yards; Chuck Muncie, 4 for 41 yards; Henry Childs, 1 for 19 yards; Don Herrmann, 1 for 9 yards; John Gilliam, 1 for 0 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Artie Owens, 1 for 19 yards NO: Rich Mauti, 2 for 53 yards; Leonard Willis, 1 for 17 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Mike Fuller, 3 for 112 yards and 1 TD NO: Rich Mauti, 6 for 79 yards
Interceptions:
SD: Mike Fuller, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
SD: Jeff West, 7 for 301 yards NO: Tom Blanchard, 7 for 321 yards
Field Goals:
SD: James Harris, 11 of 21 for 137 yards NO: Archie Manning, 16 of 26 for 124 yards (1 int)
Rushing:
SD: Rickey Young, 11 for 40 yards and 1 TD; Don Woods, 9 for 33 yards; Bo Matthews, 3 for 32 yards; Clarence Williams, 3 for 15 yards; Joe Washington, 3 for 10 yards; James Harris, 2 for 2 yards NO: Chuck Muncie, 18 for 78 yards; Tony Galbreath, 16 for 63 yards; Archie Manning, 1 for 13 yards; Kim Jones, 1 for 3 yards
Receiving:
SD: Larry Dorsey, 3 for 43 yards; Bob Klein, 3 for 36 yards; Rickey Young, 3 for 27 yards; Charlie Joiner, 2 for 31 yards NO: Tony Galbreath, 9 for 55 yards; Chuck Muncie, 4 for 41 yards; Henry Childs, 1 for 19 yards; Don Herrmann, 1 for 9 yards; John Gilliam, 1 for 0 yards
Kick returns:
SD: Artie Owens, 1 for 19 yards NO: Rich Mauti, 2 for 53 yards; Leonard Willis, 1 for 17 yards
Punt returns:
SD: Mike Fuller, 3 for 112 yards and 1 TD NO: Rich Mauti, 6 for 79 yards
Interceptions:
SD: Mike Fuller, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
SD: Jeff West, 7 for 301 yards NO: Tom Blanchard, 7 for 321 yards
Field Goals: