the core of new york's 1933 team returned intact in 1934 and they added talented quarterback ed danowski who had played collegiately at fordham the previous year. owen played danowski sparingly, ignoring chants from the spectators for the quarterback. the new york fan base consisted of many long islanders and fordham graduates who were eager to see danowski play. newman carried the ball a then-record 39 times in a 17–3 victory against green bay, but suffered a severe injury to his back in a late season game against chicago, and his backup, stu clancy, was still out due to an elbow injury from a mid-season game. because of these injuries, danowski, by default, became the team's starting quarterback. the team finished 8–5, which placed them first in the eastern division. without newman, clancy, and badgro—who was also out due to injury—owen knew the team was undermanned going into the playoffs, but said "i know it doesn't look good, but we'll give 'em a battle."