April 9, 2015

Highlighted Year: Pete Banaszak, 1975

Halfback, Oakland Raiders


Age: 31
10th season in pro football & with Raiders
College: Miami (FL)
Height: 5’11” Weight: 210

Prelude:
Banaszak was chosen by the Raiders in the fifth round of the 1966 AFL draft and, after seeing scant action as a rookie, played well when given an opportunity in ’67 due to a broken ankle suffered by HB Clem Daniels. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry while rushing for 376 yards and was a capable blocker. Still, he remained a backup, able to play at both halfback and fullback amid a good group of running backs over the next several seasons. He finally moved into the starting lineup in 1971 and carried 137 times for 563 yards (4.1 avg.) and 8 TDs. But he returned to a backup role and had a total of 144 carries over the next three seasons, for 608 yards (4.2 avg.) and six touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 158 yards.

1975 Season Summary
Appeared and in all 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing
Attempts – 187 [15]
Most attempts, game – 27 (for 116 yds.) vs. Atlanta 11/30
Yards – 672 [20]
Most yards, game – 116 yards (on 27 carries) vs. Atlanta 11/30
Average gain – 3.6
TDs – 16 [1, tied with O.J. Simpson]
100-yard rushing games – 1

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 10      
Most receptions, game – 2 (for 15 yds.) at San Diego 10/5, (for 3 yds.) at Kansas City 10/12, (for 22 yds.) vs. Kansas City 12/21
Yards – 64
Most yards, game – 22 (on 2 catches) vs. Kansas City 12/21
Average gain – 6.4
TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns
Returns – 2
Yards – 24
Average per return – 12.0
TDs – 0
Longest return – 19 yards

Scoring
TDs – 16 [3]
Points – 96 [5, tied with Jan Stenerud]

Postseason: 2 G
Rushing attempts – 25
Most rushing attempts, game – 17 vs. Cincinnati, AFC Divisional playoff
Rushing yards – 95
Most rushing yards, game – 62 vs. Cincinnati, AFC Divisional playoff
Average gain rushing – 3.8
Rushing TDs – 1

Pass receptions – 2
Most pass receptions, game – 2 at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship
Pass receiving yards – 12
Most pass receiving yards, game – 12 at Pittsburgh, AFC Championship
Average yards per reception – 6.0
Pass Receiving TDs – 0

Kickoff returns – 1
Kickoff return yards – 15
Kickoff return TDs – 0

Raiders went 11-3 to finish first in the AFC West while tying with the Baltimore Colts for most rushing touchdowns (28). Won AFC Divisional playoff over Cincinnati Bengals (31-28). Lost AFC Championship to Pittsburgh Steelers (16-10).

Aftermath:
Banaszak followed up with 370 rushing yards in 1976, splitting time with HB Clarence Davis as he handled the short-yardage situations and contributed to a NFL title with two touchdown carries in the Super Bowl win over Minnesota. His long career as a valuable part-time cog in the backfield came to an end in 1978 after 13 seasons. Banaszak rushed for 3772 yards on 964 carries (3.9 avg.) and caught 121 passes for another 1022 yards (8.4 avg.), scoring a total of 52 TDs (47 rushing, five receiving).

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970