NFL game summary for 10/08/1978:
Coach Don Coryell achieved a successful home debut as San Diego scored in every period and held Denver scoreless, the first time the Broncos had been shut out in four years. The Chargers held three different quarterbacks to only eight completions in 30 attempts for 90 yards while forcing three interceptions and two fumbles. Recently acquired Lydell Mitchell (19 carries for 65 yards, nine catches for 51) had his best afternoon as a Charger. Rolf Benirschke's three field goals, Don Woods' one-yard run, and Hank Bauer's 14-yard touchdown reception accounted for San Diego's scoring.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 163.0 (8) | 122.4 (22) | 285.4 (19) | 11 |
| DEFENSE | 113.2 (8) | 168.0 (17) | 281.2 (10) | 15 | |
 | OFFENSE | 127.6 (17) | 178.2 (9) | 305.8 (13) | 18 |
| DEFENSE | 115.6 (9) | 194.4 (28) | 310.0 (18) | 9 |
Line: Broncos by 1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos (4-2-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| San Diego Chargers (2-4-0) | 7 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
( 0- 7) SD Don Woods 1 yard rush (Rolf Benirschke kick)
( 0-14) SD Hank Bauer 14 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick)
( 0-17) SD Rolf Benirschke 28 yard field goal
( 0-20) SD Rolf Benirschke 20 yard field goal
( 0-23) SD Rolf Benirschke 24 yard field goal
DEN SD
First Downs: 11 19
Rushes-yards: 16-76 45-128
Yards/rush: 4.8 2.8
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 8-30-90-3 22-34-187-1
Sacked-yards: 1-10 3-17
Net pass yards: 80 170
Net yards/pass: 2.6 4.6
Total net yards: 156 298
Total plays: 47 (34% run) 82 (54% run)
Yards/play: 3.3 3.6
Fumbles-lost: 2-2 1-1
Turnovers: 5 2
Penalties-yards: 6-30 11-78
Attendance: 50,077
Passing:
DEN: Craig Penrose, 3 of 12 for 36 yards (1 int); Norris Weese, 5 of 11 for 54 yards (1 int); Craig Morton, 0 of 7 for 0 yards (1 int) SD: Dan Fouts, 22 of 34 for 187 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
DEN: Dave Preston, 4 for 31 yards; Otis Armstrong, 4 for 12 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 2 for 12 yards; Jon Keyworth, 2 for -1 yards; Larry Canada, 1 for 11 yards; Craig Morton, 1 for 7 yards; Norris Weese, 1 for 5 yards; Rob Lytle, 1 for -1 yards SD: Lydell Mitchell, 19 for 65 yards; Don Woods, 17 for 50 yards and 1 TD; Dan Fouts, 5 for -1 yards; Hank Bauer, 4 for 14 yards
Receiving:
DEN: Riley Odoms, 3 for 37 yards; Dave Preston, 3 for 35 yards; Jack Dolbin, 1 for 18 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 1 for 0 yards SD: Lydell Mitchell, 9 for 51 yards; John Jefferson, 4 for 48 yards; Pat Curran, 3 for 30 yards; Bob Klein, 2 for 22 yards; Hank Bauer, 1 for 14 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Joiner, 1 for 13 yards; Johnny Rodgers, 1 for 6 yards; Don Woods, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
DEN: Rick Upchurch, 3 for 74 yards; Dave Preston, 1 for 20 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 1 for 12 yards SD: Artie Owens, 1 for 51 yards
Punt returns:
DEN: Rick Upchurch, 3 for 28 yards SD: Mike Fuller, 1 for 5 yards; Don Goode, 1 for 0 yards
Interceptions:
DEN: Joe Rizzo, 1 for 10 yards SD: Glen Edwards, 1 for 0 yards; Mike Fuller, 1 for 0 yards; Louie Kelcher, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
DEN: Bucky Dilts, 6 for 215 yards SD: Jeff West, 5 for 193 yards
Field Goals:
DEN: Jim Turner, 0/1 SD: Rolf Benirschke, 3/3
DEN: Craig Penrose, 3 of 12 for 36 yards (1 int); Norris Weese, 5 of 11 for 54 yards (1 int); Craig Morton, 0 of 7 for 0 yards (1 int) SD: Dan Fouts, 22 of 34 for 187 yards and 1 TD (1 int)
Rushing:
DEN: Dave Preston, 4 for 31 yards; Otis Armstrong, 4 for 12 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 2 for 12 yards; Jon Keyworth, 2 for -1 yards; Larry Canada, 1 for 11 yards; Craig Morton, 1 for 7 yards; Norris Weese, 1 for 5 yards; Rob Lytle, 1 for -1 yards SD: Lydell Mitchell, 19 for 65 yards; Don Woods, 17 for 50 yards and 1 TD; Dan Fouts, 5 for -1 yards; Hank Bauer, 4 for 14 yards
Receiving:
DEN: Riley Odoms, 3 for 37 yards; Dave Preston, 3 for 35 yards; Jack Dolbin, 1 for 18 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 1 for 0 yards SD: Lydell Mitchell, 9 for 51 yards; John Jefferson, 4 for 48 yards; Pat Curran, 3 for 30 yards; Bob Klein, 2 for 22 yards; Hank Bauer, 1 for 14 yards and 1 TD; Charlie Joiner, 1 for 13 yards; Johnny Rodgers, 1 for 6 yards; Don Woods, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
DEN: Rick Upchurch, 3 for 74 yards; Dave Preston, 1 for 20 yards; Lonnie Perrin, 1 for 12 yards SD: Artie Owens, 1 for 51 yards
Punt returns:
DEN: Rick Upchurch, 3 for 28 yards SD: Mike Fuller, 1 for 5 yards; Don Goode, 1 for 0 yards
Interceptions:
DEN: Joe Rizzo, 1 for 10 yards SD: Glen Edwards, 1 for 0 yards; Mike Fuller, 1 for 0 yards; Louie Kelcher, 1 for 0 yards
Punting:
DEN: Bucky Dilts, 6 for 215 yards SD: Jeff West, 5 for 193 yards
Field Goals:
DEN: Jim Turner, 0/1 SD: Rolf Benirschke, 3/3