in the game. In his first regular season NFL game, rookie linebacker Joe Schmidt was, according to the Detroit Free Press, "making tackles all over the field" and a key in holding the Steelers to 96 rushing yards. Week 2: at Baltimore On October 3, 1953, the Lions won, 27–17, in a close game with the Baltimore Colts in a Saturday night game in front of 25,159 spectators at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. The Lions' passing attack had an off night as the Colts intercepted six of Detroit's 17 passes. Bob Hoernschemeyer scored a touchdown in the first quarter on a 49-yard run that the Detroit Free Press called "one of the best runs in Lion history". Doak Walker kicked a field goal in the second quarter to give the Lions a 10–7 lead, but the Colts responded with a touchdown and field goal to take a 17–10 lead at halftime. The Lions responded with 17 points in the third quarter. Yale Lary returned a punt 74 yards for another touchdown, and backup quarterback Tom Dublinski, taking over with the score tied at 17, ran for a touchdown and kicked a field goal. Week 3: San Francisco On October 11, 1953, the Lions defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 24–21, in front of a record crowd of 58,079 at Briggs Stadium. The victory broke a five-game losing streak against the 49ers. On the third play from scrimmage, the Lions scored on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Doak Walker to Cloyce Box. Walker also kicked a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter, and Bob Hoernschemeyer ran for a touchdown in the third quarter. Bobby Layne threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Leon Hart in the third quarter, but the 49ers closed the Lions' lead to three points on a short run by Y. A. Tittle. Jim David and Jack Christiansen hit Tittle as he scored, resulting in a triple fracture of Tittle's cheekbone. Les Bingaman also blocked a San Francisco field goal attempt in the game. Week 4: Los Angeles On October 18, 1953, the Lions lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 31–19, in front of a crowd of 55,772 at Briggs Stadium. The defeat broke a six-game winning streak for the Lions, dating back to November 1952. The 31 points allowed was the highest allowed by the Lions since the 1951 season. Woodley Lewis was the star for the Rams,