Thursday, November 21, 1968 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Eleven Thursday, November 21, 1968 THE MICHIGAN DAILY Page Eleven I'll. . -,_,,. from the seat Bill Levis of my pants The last four years of Michigan football have certainly been frustrating. In 1965, following the Rose Bowl, the Wolverines were picked by many experts to be first in the conference and first in the country.I Why not? Michigan had a great cast of performers returning, in-i cluing offensive guard Tom Mack, halfbacks Carl Ward and Jim Detwiler, and linebacker Bill Yearby. Not only that, but they were supposed to have a great quarterback in Dick Vidmer. Vidmer had beaten out Bob Timberlake for the starting position the year before,I AW only to have his leg broken. Well, the Wolverines of 1965 went nowhere, skidding to a; 4-6 record. That year, also, Michigan introduced the 20-20 offense. The Wolverines, under Vidmer and more often, Wally Gabler, John's brother, performed brilliantly outside the 20 yard line. Once inside the mystical barrier, however, Michigan suffered strange cases of mistake.itis. The result was a 2-5 record in conference play. The next year, Michigan was again picked to finish near the top in the nation. After all, the Wolverines still had an overabundance of talent in Ward, Detwiler, fullback Dave Fisher, All-American end Jack Clancy, and a wondrous defense led by Frank Nunley and Rick Volk. Unfortunately, the talented Wolverines had rehearsed 1965's] 4 mistakes too often as they tripped and fell to a miserable 6-4+ record. With Vidmer installed as the full time signal caller,1 Michigan was never better than when it blew Oregon State and Minnesota right off the Michigan Stadium turf with 42-0 and' 49-0 whitewashes. Dee Andros, the Beaver coach said, after the debacle, that heI had never seen a team in such fine shape early in the season. Un- fortunately, Michigan didn't stay in shape for long. The Wolverines soon suffered through three hideous weeks as they rolled over and played dead'against North Carolina, lost a heartbreaking 20-7 deci- sion to national champs Michigan State and then gave a game to Purdue, the eventual Rose Bowl representatives, 22-21. A Purdue punt nicked a Michigan player and went into the end- zone for a safety. A Stan Kemp kick was blocked in the end zone and recovered by a Boilermaker for a score. If that wasn't enough, Vidmer fumbled twice on consecutive plays within the Purdue five. The second time the Boilermakers recovered the ball, and with it the game. To add insult to injury, the Wolverines attempted and missed an impossible field goal against a cross wind in the last minute of play. To demonstrate how strong the 1965 and 1966 versions of the Wolverines were, all one has to do is scan the pro draft lists fol- lowing those two years. Yearby and Mack were both high draft choices folowing the 1965 season. Mack was so good that he was the only rookie to start on the 1966 Los Angeles. Rams, and he is still a fixture on their offensive line. The next year was even more productive. Linebacker Nunley was drafted by the 49ers while John Rowser went to Green Bay and defensive backs Mike Boss and Rick Sygar were picked up by the Lions. Clancy, the captain of the 1966 Wolverines, became a sure handed receiver for the Miami Dolphins. In 1967, he combined with former Purdue star Bob Griese to form the best one-two rookie threat in the AFL. This year, however, he has been out with an injury. But the best pro prospect on that Michigan team was defen sive back Rick Volk. He has been a outstanding performer for the Baltimore Colts for two years. Last year was a different season, however, and the Wolverines, decimated by the loss of most of its talent, were expected to finish somewhere near the middle of the Big Ten. For the only time in the last four years, Michigan did not disapppoint the pollsters, winding up with a mediocre 4-6 record. Little more was expected of them this season. True, Ron Johnson had set a Michigan record for most yards rushing in one year but the rest of the team didn't really excite anyone With most of the same team returning, not much was expected from this year's team. For the third time in four years, the writers were wrong. The 1968 Wolverines, picked to finish about seventh in the Big Ten, have been the wonders of the nation. The key has been that Michigan unveiled a 20-20 defense this year, replacing its offensive counterpart. Now the opposition looks great between the 20s, but rarely, if ever, M scores. Besides that, Johnson has outstripped his 1967 performance while Dennis Brown, Jim Mandich and Garvie Craw also improved on last year's statistics. Cecil Pryor, the timid kitten of 1967, turned into a vicious cat this season. Stan Broadnax, who had shared the right guard position with Bob Baumgartner, came into his own and has been one of the most valuable players on offense, opening up holes * for Johnson and providing pi'otection for Brown. And finally, there is Tim Killian, who everyone has criticized for missing extra points this fall. Well, that, same Mr. Killian has proven to be Michigan's greatest field goal kicker. He tied the Big Ten record when he kicked three field goals against Minnesota and he has five for the season. And Killian's boots have not been short 15 yarders either. In addition, he is a valuable substitute middle linebacker. After a look at the results, it becomes apparent that the Wol- verine teams of the last four years have been remembering the op- posite of what the sports writers have been writing about them. Now if they will only remember that Michigan has been. picked as a three point underdog against Ohio State Saturday .... Johnson By JOE MARKER In a mere sixty minutes of ac- tion in the Michigan Stadium slop, Ron Johnson last Saturday cut a deep swath through the Big Ten record book.' Johnson erased three conference and several Michigan records as he personally rallied the Wolver- endangers record pace 0 in osU tilt * * * * * * Gridders hone talents for Bucks By JIM FORRESTER Ines from a 9-7 halftime deficit to This year the shoe is on the a 34-9 romp over winless Wiscon- other foot. How about that? sin. Early October was the time The fleet but powerful tailback when football mania struck ye olde piled up 347 yards rushing to far campus. The arch enemies were surpass Ed Podolak's record 286 those meanies from the banks of set the previous week in Iowa's 68- the Red Cedar and their coach 34 rout of Northwestern. Duffy, better known as Hugh What makes Johnson's record Daugherty. Ohio State was an all the more amazing is that coach after-thought. Bump Elliott pulled him from the But now, wow?! As this year's game with nearly one quarter re- tilt with MSU approached, all the maining. Having gained only 119 comment that could be mustered yards in the first half, Johnson from the competitors on the prac- added a whopping 218 yards in tice turf of fabled Ferry Field the third quarter plus twenty sec- was a mild yawn. But OSU? A onds of the fourth. complete switch. In addition to breaking the : Now we're gonna have a closed single game yardage record, the circuit television screen in the Detroit senior also cracked two University Events Building so that conference scoring marks. His 30 as many football maniacs as pos- points surpassed the illustrious RON JOHNSON sible can view for themselves this Tom Harmon's 27 (4 touchdowns, down scamper, a 67-yarder in the year's game of the century. A pep 3 PAT's) scored against Iowa in third quarter (the others covered'rally is scheduled for tonight. The 1939. He also scored five touch- 35, 1. 60, and 49 yards) broke entire campus is turned on for downs in the process, breaking the Harmon's long-standing mark of football. mark of four held jointly by 2,134 career yards. But does all of this excitement twelve players. 2affect Michigan's Head Coach twelve plays.4 yrd He also has piled up 1300 yards Bump Elliott? Not a chance. Bump Jhsnsto"tal f 37yrd -i yk-__,__a total offense (gained on rushing of 1005 set last year, a n d has alone) exceeds Dennis Brown's crossed the goal line 17 times, conference record of 338 set last once more than Harmon did in year against Indiana. 1939. It should be pointed out that all Although the Wolverine's work-I Big Ten records cover only the horse has already done his sharel period since 1939, since before that tokeep the Big Ten statisticians time statistics were not syste- busy, he has a chance this Satur- matically compiled. day at Columbus to increase his Even including the period beforehares.Gn 1939, Johnson's records for rush- Jrusin Grabowski's conference ing and total offense still hold# rushing record of 996 'yards, set ing ad totl offnse sil o r Illinois in 1965, is within 70 up. However he must share hisyrd fJhs'sea.Wth up oee ems hr i o liosi 95 swti 0touchdown and scoring marks with; yards of Johnson's reach. With 13 touchdowns in Michigan's six the legendary Red Grange. conference encounters, he needs Grange and Illinois hosted only 2 more to tie Leroy Keyes' heavily-favored Michigan Oct. 18, record of 15. 1924. The first four times Grange 1 Johnson may have considerable handled the ball he scored on runs trouble adding these last two rec- of 95, 66, 55, and 40 yards, and ords to his repertoire, since the zipped to another touchdown in Ohio State defense, as it has been the third quarter in a long-re- all year, is the Big Ten's stingiest. membered performance. The Buckeye defenders have al- In addition to his Big Ten lowed only 265 yards per game, marks, Johnson rewrote a good which is 35 yards lessthan run- portion of the Michigan record ner-up Michigan State. What is book. His most noticeable achieve- more important to Johnson's rec- ment in this respect is his sur- ord possibilities, though, is that mpntsinof Tom Harman's career the Buckeyes have given up only passing m H 120 yards per game rushing, rushing record. His third touch- which, incidentally, is considerably less than Johnson alone has av- $eraged (154). T he lack of rushing yardage -RagainstOhio State is not due to the fact that opponents have not tried to rush. They've tried 47 times a game and have averaged N B A 2.5 per carry, reflecting a very Yesterday's Results low return for the effort. Cincinnati 113, San Francisco 107 Just ask Ed Podolack. The lead- Baltimore114, San Diego1 ing rusher in the league going in- New York at Atlanta, Inc. Boston at Seattle, Inc. to Iowa's game with the Buckeyes last Saturday, Podolak gained 451 Tfoday's Games yards the entire afternoon. Milwaukee at Chicagoe However, neither Johnson ncr Atlanta at Detroit the Buckeyes will be aiming for any personal records in Columbus NHL this Saturday. Rather, both teams Yesterday's Results will be trying to tie the conference New York 4, Los Angeles 2 mark for victories (7), which has Montreal 3, Detroit 21been achieved only 6 times in 73 Toronto 5, Pittsburgh 2 years. Chicago at Minnesota, Inc. Oakland at St. Louis, Inc. Today's Games join The Daily Los Angeles at Bostont Montreal at Philadelphia Oakland at Pittsburgh doesn't lose his cool in tight spots. When assaulted with tough ques- APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD when they journey into Columbu -Associated Press D of Michigan's team will be playing in their home state Saturday s to challenge Ohio State for thelBig Ten championship and a trip es have been wearing white jerseys in practice this week, to become away uniforms. tions about his plans for Saturday to the Rose Bowl. The Wolverin answered them with the expertise accustomed to playing in theira of a Dean Rusk. Elliott knows Ohio State is The greatest problem facing the tough and will put up a valiant Wolverine offense is Jack Tatum. struggle Saturday. But they are "The Ohio defense is strong and young. The Buck fields an average they're quick," commended Elliott. of eleven sophs every outing. The And as for Tatum-Ohio's great great pressure and tension could roving linebacker, the Michigan catch up with them. mentor craftily withheld comment. Elliott, however is looking for This week's game plan calls for few favors from the god of jitters. the same type of offense Michigan "They've played eight games so has been running since the begin- far and age has not interfered ning of the year, Ron Johnson. yet. I don't see why it should "We'll throw at them what we now." have been using the rest of the year," says Bump. "If that doesn't work we'll try something else. I, don't think we can change over- night and we wouldn't want to." The OSU offense presents some: definite problems for the Wolver- ine's defense. In addition to the fine passing of Rex Kern and re- ceiving of Bruce Jankowski, Ohio has a rough running game feat- uring Jim Otis. Otis, combined with tackles Dave Foley and Rufus Mayes, gives Ohio a definite threat on the draw, a play Michigan has had a great deal of trouble containing this year. Yesterday Michigan worked on these problems extensively as the second team offense ran OSU for- mations against the first team defense and the second unit play- ed Ohio for Johnson, Brown and company. I i MICHIGAN STUDENTS, FACULTY and STAFF You're invited to attend the Pre-Game Buffet before the Michigan-OSU Kickoff Saturday, November 23 MENU Only $1.85 . at the1 1739 OHIO UNION High Street A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE OSU STADIUM Pepper Steak/Rice or Baked Country Ham Cut Green Beans ChilledF Waldorf Salad Cottage Cheese Assorted Rolls and Butter Apple Betty Beverage 11 A.M.-1 :00 P.M. Relish Tray Jello Salads THE OHIO UNION I YOUNG DEMOCRATS ANNUAL ELECTIONS MEETING, THURSDAY WHY NOT? Why not fly Mohawk home for Thanksgiving?. It's a groovy way to travel. You get there quicker. Your vacation's longer. Mohawkdserves 75 cities in 10 states and Canada. If you aren't going home, but just want to travel, check Mohawk's "Consecutive Executive" plan. Five days unlimited travel. Fare is good from 12:01 a.m. Monday to midnight Friday. Call Mohawk and make positive >