By Keith Thursby

The Rams opened the 1958 season with a last-minute 30-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns at the Coliseum. Lou Groza kicked a nine-yard field goal with 23 seconds to play.

Players of the game: Fumbles by quarterback Bill Wade and running back Jon Arnett led to Cleveland scores.

Paragraph of the game: From The Times’ Cal Whorton: "It was a truly bitter defeat for the pro-Ram crowd of 69,993 to take. Going into the final period the Rams led 27-14. But those pesky Browns, a team known in grid circles as a club that never beats itself, was not to be denied."

Quote of the game: "Go over and pep him up. He’s blaming himself for the whole thing," said Rams Coach Sid Gillman, motioning to a reporter to talk to Arnett.

keith.thursby@latimes.com