National Football League

SB 5: Unitas and Colts win turnover-filled game over Cowboys

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:20 p.m. ET

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SUPER BOWL 5

Jan. 17, 1971

At Miami-79,204

Baltimore 0..6..0.10-16

Dallas 3.10..0..0-13

The first Super Bowl under the merger ended in high drama, but only after both teams struggled through 60 minutes of turnovers. The Colts fumbled five times (losing three) and threw three interceptions. The Cowboys lost one fumble and also threw three interceptions.

With Dallas leading 6-0 in the second quarter, Johnny Unitas threw a pass off the fingertips of receiver Eddie Hinton and defensive back Mel Renfro and into the waiting arms of tight end John Mackey, who sped for a 75-yard score.

Dallas regained the lead before the half on a 7-yard pass from Craig Morton to Duane Thomas. The lead stood until the fourth quarter, when Rich Volk picked off Morton's pass, setting up the tying touchdown scored by Tom Nowatzke.

Then, with 1:09 to play, linebacker Mike Curtis picked off another Morton pass on the Cowboys 28. Three plays later, rookie kicker Jim O'Brien, who had an extra point blocked earlier, booted a 32-yard field goal to give the Colts the win.

Dallas linebacker Chuck Howley, who picked off two passes, became the first defensive player and the first player from a losing team to be named MVP.

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Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL