October 17, 2004 -- The Buffalo Bills had big hopes for running back Willis McGahee when they drafted him in the first round. On this date, the Bills started to find out whether those hopes would turn into performance.
McGahnee made his first start in a Bills' uniform, running for 111 yards on 26 carries as the Bills defeated the Dolphins, 20-13, in Ralph Wilson Stadium. It was the first win for head coach Mike Mularkey.
"This is what I told my O-line … "All you have to do is block the D-line. Don't worry about the linebackers, and I'll get the secondary,' " McGahee said.
McGahee was at his best when the Bills were trying to hold on to a lead in the final five minutes. The Bills went on to march 82 more yards down to the Miami 1 before time expired, and the runner did much of the work.
"I wasn't going to let one person tackle me," McGahee said. "That's my motto. One person cannot tackle me. It's got to be two or three."
--- Budd Bailey
tagged
History