ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 11, 1995 TAG: 9512110117
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: TAMPA, FLA.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Michael Husted kicked a winning 47-yard field goal into a stiff wind, keeping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers alive for a playoff spot.
Husted, a former UVa kicker, delivered his third winning kick of the year Sunday night, converting with 11:14 remaining in overtime and sending the Buccaneers past the Green Bay Packers 13-10.
His kick curled just inside the right upright, giving Tampa Bay a victory and assuring the end of the club's streak of 12 consecutive seasons with double-digit losses.
Trent Dilfer moved the Bucs (7-7) into scoring position with completions of 23 yards to Horace Copeland and 7 yards to Jerry Ellison. Husted kicked a 38-yarder to tie the score with 4:48 remaining in regulation.
The Bucs hadn't won more than six games in a season since 1981, the last time the NFL's losingest franchise of the past two decades finished with a winning record.
The victory stopped Green Bay (9-5) from clinching a playoff berth and moving a step closer to its first outright NFC Central title since 1972.
Brett Favre moved the Packers 73 yards with help from a 25-yard pass interference penalty to give Green Bay a 10-7 lead on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Keith Jackson six minutes into the fourth quarter.
Dilfer, who hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in his past 10 games, brought the Bucs right back.
The second-year quarterback, who was ejected last week for fighting with Minnesota defensive tackle John Randle, completed a crucial third-down pass to Copeland and got an 18-yard run from Errict Rhett to set up Husted's first field goal that made it 10-10.
The game went into overtime after Chris Jacke's 45-yard attempt into the wind with five seconds remaining was low and off to the left.
Dilfer completed 23 of 42 passes for 240 yards, and Rhett rushed for 118 yards on 22 attempts for Tampa Bay, which had lost five of its past six games after a 5-2 start.
Favre was 27-of-46 for 285 yards, but he was held to one touchdown after throwing for three in each of the Packers' three previous games, including a 35-13 victory over Tampa Bay at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., two weeks ago.
The Packers were hurt by the loss of defensive leader Reggie White, who missed a game for the first time in his 11-year career after pulling his left hamstring against Cincinnati last week.
Brooks had nine receptions for 122 yards - his seventh 100-yard game of the season.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB