Vinny is better late than never
Michelle Kaufman, The St.Petersburg Times, published 1988

The Tampa Stadium clock read 4:37, the scoreboard read Packers 24, Bucs 17 and Vinny Testaverde was packing his mind for the biggest guilt trip of the year. Poor decisions, boos, four interceptions, boos, a fourth loss, boos. The thoughts sickened the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback. But six consecutive clutch completions eased the pain, accounted for seven points and set up Donald Igwebuike's game-winning 44-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining. Final score: Bucs 27, Packers 24.

It was the second time in three weeks that an Igwebuike kick buried the Packers. He hit a 28-yarder in Green Bay to give the Bucs a 13-10 win Sept. 11. The Packers (0-5) have lost to the Bucs the past three times they've played, and those are the Bucs' only wins in the past 15 games. Sunday's victory wasn't pretty, but two-and-three sounds much better than one-and-four, and for the first time since he's been drafted, Testaverde heard cheers when he ran into the locker room.

Celebration played over the public address system, and lots of folks in the paltry crowd of 40,003 pointed index fingers up instead of at Testaverde when the $8.2-million man jogged off the field. “It was real satisfying for me to come back and make the plays when I had to,” said Testaverde, who completed 20 of 37 passes (54 percent) for 300 yards, 107 of those on the final six completions. “I was sitting there in the fourth quarter just hoping that I wouldn't have to tell you why we lost - me. Four interceptions by me was uncalled for.”

Testaverde wasn't the only Buc feeling guilty. Receiver Mark Carrier, who admitted that he was untouched when he dropped two would-be touchdowns in the first half, was preparing himself for post-game harassment. “I thought Vinny and I were going to need a police escort,” said Carrier, whose 22-yard catch on third-and-18 inaugurated the Bucs' comeback.

Until the final two possessions, the Bucs' offense had thrown away most everything their spirited, hard-working defense had given them. Here are a few examples: The defense stopped Green Bay on its first possession, the first time they've shut down an opponent on its opening drive. The offense responded with 6 yards and a 28-yard punt. Nineteen yards later, the Packers led 3-0.

Nose tackle Curt Jarvis decked Randy Wright as he attempted a pass and rookie safety Odie Harris, starting in place of injured Mark Robinson, intercepted it and handed the ball to the offense at the Packers' 40. Their response: an incompletion, a 7-yard reception, a holding penalty, a Carrier drop at the Green Bay 5, a 29-yard punt. For the fifth game in a row, the Bucs failed to score in the first quarter. They've been shut out 57-0.

Tampa Bay defenders continued to bail out the offense in the second quarter. They even scored a touchdown (almost two). Cornerback Ricky Reynolds nailed Brent Fullwood as he caught a pass, and the ball bounced into the hands of linebacker Kevin Murphy. The second-year linebacker ran into the end zone, but the touchdown was nullified because replay officials ruled that since the whistle was blown prior to the Bucs' fumble recovery, the ball went back to the fumbling team. The Packers ended up punting, and Igwebuike hit a 45-yard field goal to tie the game after Carrier's second drop - this one in the end zone.

Murphy would get even on the next Packers drive. He picked off a pass that Ron Holmes deflected, and returned it 35 yards to give the Bucs a 10-3 advantage - Tampa Bay's first first-half lead this season. The Packers then marched 80 yards, 41 on a Wright-to-Patrick Scott pass, and made it 10-10 with a 14-yard catch by tight end Ed West.

West was one of four Green Bay receivers who had a big day against the Bucs. He had six catches for 59 yards, Walter Stanley had six for 107, and rookie Sterling Sharpe had six for 70. By the end, Wright had thrown for 321 yards. Two consecutive Bucs drives ended in Testaverde interceptions, one to Mark Murphy and the other to Mark Lee. Lucky for the Bucs, Packers kicker Max Zendejas missed a 32-yard field goal and the score was tied at halftime. “When we look at the films of the first few quarters, they're probably going to look like horror films,” coach Ray Perkins said. “We made far too many mistakes offensively. But our defense played real good from start to finish. It was probably the best they've played since we've been here.”

Shortly into the second half, Zendejas missed a 43-yard attempt, but the Packers went ahead 17-10 four minutes later on a 1-yard Fullwood touchdown run. That score was set up by an interception by safety Chuck Cecil, his second of the day. A Lars Tate 1-yard dive capped an 80-yard Bucs drive to make it 17-17. Tampa Bay got the ball back when Ron Holmes stripped Wright of the ball and Robert “Pig” Goff recovered, but Igwebuike was wide left on a 54-yard attempt. Wright ran in 1 yard for Green Bay's final score after finding Sharpe for a 34-yard completion.

Then came Testaverde's six chin-lifters: the 22-yarder to Carrier on third-and-18, 21 yards to Kerry Goode, 15 to Bruce Hill, and 19 to Hill for the score. Packers 24, Bucs 24. Time left: 2:34. “We were all saying stuff in the huddle,” said Hall. “It's like we had nine team leaders out there. We didn't want to let the defense down after the way they played. We all knew what had to be done.”

Quarterback pressures by Jarvis, Reuben Davis, Goff, and a sack by John Cannon forced Green Bay to punt. Time left: 47 seconds. Testaverde found Hill for 26 yards and Jeff Smith for 6 with no huddle in between. Igwebuike, who was “scared but not nervous,” clinched the win with ease. “It was great to have the ball in my hands at the end,” Testaverde said. The last two weeks the Bucs have punted with about two minutes left and not seen the ball again. “Not to take anything away from the defense, but anytime we're in a tough situation, I want the ball. I feel confident we can make the big play if we have to.”