SPORTS SECTION S irCig ~Iaitbp SPORTS SECTION ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1961 f ? de k/in nep Circle By MIKE BURNS LOOKING FOR THE "BREATHER" in Michigan's football schedule this fall is like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack- it may be there, but it sure doesn't appear that way. Bump Elliott is presently scanning the schedule with more than a fan's casual interest and the goodies which Fritz Crisler has lined up for this fall are even enough to frighten a coach with ten times Elliott's experience. After taking over the reins two years ago from Bennie Oosterbaan,. the youthful, blond Elliott finally brought Michi- gan back into the winning column last season. This year, with a host of experienced players and talented sophs, Michigan seemed headed for a great season. But look at that schedule. Besides playing every top team in the Big Ten (cellar dwellers Northwestern and Indiana were conveniently omitted) the Maize and Blue will meet the best from the West, East and South. And that's no exaggeration. As if the Western Conference weren't competition enough, the M squad will open the year against the battling Bruins of UCLA-ex- pected to rank among the top five teams in the nation. The Uclans have lost all-American Bill Kilmer, but the rest of the team is stocked with veterans along with some highly-touted sophomores. Bob Smith should replace Kilmer in the running department. The line is solid with lettermen, anchored by potential all-American center Ron Hull, and looks like one of the best for the Bruins in years. Don Vena and Tom Gutman are two gluey-fingered ends expected to aid the cause. The Black Knights of the Hudson invade Wolverine-land next and, although Army has not had the powerful teams of old recently, the Cadets should provide a tough match. Boasting a 6-3-1 last season, the Army eleven will be led by quarterback Dick Eckert. A big first line will bolster the Cadets, along with the return of last season's top runners and pass receivers, including George Kirschenbauer. Lack of depth may hurt, however. Big Ten Play .. . Then conference play begins and the fight for the roses is on. The traditional game with Michigan State will not provide any let-up as both teams will go all-out to claim the Paul Bunyan trophy. With plenty of holdovers from last year, Duffy Daugherty should be fighting for the top rung of the league. The Purdue eleven comes here Home- coming weekend. On the basis of graduate standouts, the Boilermakers appear unimpressive'but they are two-deep in veterans at every spot except quarterback and have a knack for the unpredictable (witness their 23-14 defeat of number one-ranked Minnesota last year). Then 1960 conference co-titlist Minnesota will entertain the Wolverines in the skirmish for the Little Brown Jug. Graduation hit the Gophers hard but they can't be scoffed at, as 22 Rose Bowl squad members will return. Cotton Bowl winner Duke should be out for revenge after last year's trouncing by the Wolverines. Filling the shoes of slick-passing Don Altman and his all-American receiver Tee Moorman will be a task for the Blue Devils but they have 26 lettermen to choose from and some capable reserves. The "Battle of the Brothers" is next on the card when Elliott takes his squad to Champaign to play Pete Elliott's Illini. The close 8-7 etge which the Michigan team gained in last season's contest should provide additional incentive for a fierce battle and rugged play. The next two weeks should hold more than a few headaches for the Michigan mentor and the toughest finish any team could ask for. The Iowa contest is followed by the tradition-filled finale with Ohio State. Both teams are expected to battle for the top of the conference as well as the number one ranking in the country. Two Toughies .. . The Hawkeyes have a new coach, Jerry Burns, to replace Forrest Evashevski. And they have an outstanding backfield of Wilburn Hollis, Larry Ferguson and Joe Williams-all first-rate ground gainers. If their passing attack jells (Iowa had a 39 per cent completion record last season) the boys from the tall corn country could harvest a bouquet of roses. Ohio State is loaded. All-American Tom Matte has gone, but all- American Bob Ferguson will return at fullback and should run wild. Paul Warfield a sophomore, and Bob Klein should provide power at the halfback slots for the offense. Stocky Mike Ingram leads a heavy defensive team at the guard slot. That's the schedule, none too reassuring for those envisioning a great record for Bump Elliott's charges. The Michigan team will be rough and should push any opponent to the fullest. The potential is there and the Maize and Blue should prove to be a first division contender. And seven of the contests will be played in Michigan's own football pasture, which should be of some added advantage. But the Wolverines will be hard-pressed to prove they truly are "champion of the West"; the schedule calls for no letup through the pressure-filled nine-game season. The championship schedule looks like a bumpy road for Bump and his players, but then competition brings out the best in any team. Wolverine Veterans I Hopes {eturni Rest on Line; to Backfiel d TMichigan Schedules' Rugged Opponents Graduation Hurts Forward Wall; Ends, Backs Appear Plentiful By DAVE ANDREWS Associate Sports Editor Michigan's gridiron warriors run head on into "the tough- est schedule in history" this fall, but they'll be ready-if the interior line holds up. Gone are such stalwarts as captain Jerry Smith, Dick Syring, Tom Jobson, Paul Paulos, and Bill Stine, and of the 20 lettermen returning to the squad only eight belong to the center of the line category, three each at guard and tackle and two at center. It's a pretty slim group with which to embark on a power packed campaign that includes such intersectional jugger- nauts as UCLA, Army, and Duke to go along with six Big Ten opponents. However, the eight coming back may well jell into m 11 TWO FOR TEAM-Quarterback Dave Glinka (24) hands off to fullback Bill Tunnicliff (36) and fakes to halfback Bennie McRae (43), as the Wolverines go for the extra two points after touchdown. These three, plus scatback Dave Raimey and hard-driving Ken Tureaud will return this year to give the Maize and Blue one of the finest backfields in the Big Ten. YEAR IN REVIEW: M' Squads Gain Laurels IFive Championships It was a championship year for the "champions of the West" as five Big Ten titles fell to Wol- verine athletic teams and one NCAA crown, as well. Combined with points accumu- lated by the other Maize and Blue !squads, the league victories gave Michigan the unofficial Big Ten title in over-all athletic competi- tion. The Wolverine sports teams had two seconds, a fifth, a sev- enth and a ten place finishes. The thinclads of Don Canham once again demonstrated their su- periority in capturing both the indoor and outdoor conference track meets to account for two of the titles. Michigan swimmers, after los- ing to Indiana in the league meet by less than five' points, went aft- er the NCAA championship while the ineligible Hoosiers watched from the sidelines. Overcoming a powerful Southern California squad, Gus Stager's Wolverines carted home the first-place hard- ware., Newt Loken achieved a life-long ambition as the Michigan gym- nasts won their first Big Ten crown, knocking off favored per- ennial titlist Illinois. The triumph capped a successful dual meet season for the squad. The spring proved extremely fruitful for M athletes, as three of four teams won conference titles. The baseball nine started off with a bang and went all the way as Don Lund's charges racked up a 10-2 record to win the laurels in a close race that was only decid- ed on the last day of league play. The Michigan tennis squad, un- der Bill Murphy's tutelage, join- ed the baseball and track teams in the championship column. The netters easily won their sixth championship in seven years The hockey team competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and, although finish- ing third, held successful records over the other two Big Ten en- tries, Michigan State and Minne- sota. In One Eary by Brian MacClowry ONE OF THE most puzzling problems confronting Michigan football coach Bump Elliott as he moves into his third year at the helm is how to break fleet halfback Bennie McRae loose from the line ofS scrimmage. McRae's riddle is perplexing to say the least. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that he has the speed to go all the way anytime he carries the ball. The 165-lb. senior has been the Big Ten indoor low hurdle champ for the past two years, tying the conference mark of 07:8 for the event as a sophomore. His apparent ability to shake off tacklers as well as he does is another point in his favor. But being able to shake, rattle and roll, as might be said in the deep crevices of the MUG, has still not allowed McRae to score on a run of longer than 10 yards in his two years of college football. And his longest dash from scrimmage during this period was only 24 yards, against Minnesota last year. McRae's plight becomes even more confusing when you look at the instantaneous success of his running mate, junior' halfback Dave Raimey in being where they ain't for a long distance. Last fall in his first collegiate football game, Raimey sped 25 yards for a touchdown the first time he carried the ball against Oregon. Two weeks later-against nationally ranked Duke - Raimey played elusive footsy with about seven black and Blue Devils before, being brought down after a 47-yd. scamper. The Wolverines unranked Duke, 31-6. No conspiracy afoot.. . BUMP ELLIOTT assures me there's no conspiracy involved, and it's clear in this case that the butler didn't do it. Who's to blame then? Certainly not quarterback Dave Glinka, who has never been shy about handing the ball to the left halfback. In fact there have been games-last year with Minnesota for example -where Glinka would've been ecstatic if he could have given the ball to McRae more than he did. Especially every time he went back to pass and found 750-lbs. worth of human Gophers acting like they hadn't been fed in three days. It couldn't be that Michigan has been outmanned. Elliott has been able. to put eleven men on the field in every game since he became head coach. And sometimes we've even been able to improve on this-that is if the guinea pig that ran across the field two years ago and the drunk that eluded the police on a 30-yd. breakaway last year were on our side. It couldn't be the lack of support fan wise. The tradition soaked all male cheerleaders still do backward flips offi the trampoline every time a man in blue sets sail on a long. gainer. Added experience helpful?.. . BUT THEN I'm still concerned with what's in store for McRae. He'll have an extra year of experience in working with Glinka and Raimey in the backfield if that'll help any. When he turns on the speed in an attempt to turn the corner he'll have some veteran ends to aid him, including Captain George Mans, Jeff Smith, Bob Brown and Jim Korowin, among others. If he tries to find some running room in the interior line he can fall in step behind all-America tackle candidate Jon Schopf, center Todd Grant, or guards Lee Hall and Joe O'Donnell. the most rugged forward wall in the Conference. At least the Wolverines will have size, something that has been sore- ly lacking of late on the Michigan Stadium turf. All-America candi- date Jon Schopf tips the scales at X28, and along with Joe O'Donnell (215), Todd Grant (230), Lee Hall (220), and John Houtman (243) average out to a hefty 227. Schopf and Houtman are ex- pected to hold down the tackle positions backed up by returnee Guy Curtis (205) and sophomores1 Phil Garrison (230), Tom Keating (220), and John Wiley (220). The guard position, however, isn't quite too deep. O'Donnell and Hall should get first crack at the, starting position with John Minko (21) ready to step in should either of them falter. Behind them the picture is pretty foggy with RonI Lauterback,FrankClappisn,Wally Herrula, Lou Pavloff and John Marcun given the best chances to break into the lineup. At center Grant and Johnr Walker will scramble for the start- ing slot with Grant having the in- side track by virtue of his experi- ence and size. Walker (200) is a converted fullback. Elsewhere the Wolverines should be able to match the best. The en- tire starting backfield from last year returns along with a wealth of strong halfbacks in reserve. The end corps headed by captain George Mans should be the equal of any in the country in spite of the loss of Bob Johnson, John Hal- stead, and Keith Cowan from last fall's top six to graduation and junior Bill Freehan to the Detroit Tigers. Besides Mans, Coach Bump El- liott can expect standout perform- ances from lettermen Scott Maentz and Jim Zubkus. Jim Korowin and Bob Brown also return and along with sophomore Doug Bickle should give the Wolverines the best corps of flankers in the Con- ference. In the backfield the Wolverines are likewise well stocked. Dave Glinka, a year's experience under his belt, gives Michigan one of three experienced quarterbacks in, the Conference. Only Wisconsin's Ron Miller and Minnesota's Sandy Stephens return from last fall's crop of Big Ten signal callers. Supporting Glinka will be sopho- more Frosty Evashevski, son of famed Wolverine star and Iowa Athletic Director Forest Evashev- ski. Bob Chandler, who injured his knee in the Michigan State game last fall, still remains a question mark, but should his leg be solid enough to play, the Wolverines will have quarterbacks three deep. However, in spite of the strength at quarterback, the most feared Wolverines will run from the half- back slots. Speedsters Bennie Mc- Rae and Dave Raimey return to their familiar positions and give Elliott the fastest duo in the Big Ten. TeAnd from Raimey's showing in the spring game-he was named most improved player-he looks like he's in for a banner year. Mc- Rae was setting records as a hur- dler for Michigan's Big Ten cham- pion track team. Backing them up will be juniors Jack "six-yard" Strobel and Jim Sy--4 m1- +.,_ 1 ;,, fr 1 DAILY SPORTS: Seek Staff Rep orters So you're interested in sports? Why not try to combine that in- terest with writing and join The Daily sports staff? The Daily offers sports staffers unique opportunities to get the "inside scoop" on the teams through talking with the coaches and players. Add to this the journalistic training which The Daily affords the interested student. The staff is completely composed of stu- dents in the writing departments, putting out a paper six days a week. With a deadline of 2 a.m., The Daily can have the latest news of any morning paper in the state (among other items, West Coast baseball scores). Daily sports writers completely cover the Michigan sports scene; writers sometimes travel with the teams. It is not uncommon for The Daily to be the only college newspaper represented at many top sporting events, and the thor- oughness of its coverage, especial- ly of away games and meets, has earned it commendation. From varsity to intramural sports, The Daily serves the sports-minded reader (and who isn't interested in sports?) So become a member of the team that covers the teams-The Daily sports staff. Come in and sign up for the training program at the Student Publications Bldg., 420 Maynard, any time during reg- istration week or the first week of classes. Football Schedule Sept. 30. ............... UCLA. Oct. 7 ...... . ......... ARMY Oct. 14 ........MICH. STATE Oct. 21............PURDUE Oct. 28......... at Minnesota Nov 4 ................ DUKE Nov. 11............ at Illinois Nov. 18 ................IOWA Nov. 25 ........ OHIO STATE Weir Advises Early ,Pickup On Tickets Ticket manager Don Weir has announced that football tickets will be distributed beginning Wed- nesday, Sept. 13 at noon in the I-M building, on Hoover St. All pre-registered freshmen should come early for tickets and avoid the last-minute rush. Weir urges all students to pick up tick- ets before Friday to help the committee. A - . L _ ....L .1. ..1,..L .. . . I I . ::. . ~ i:'":b" ...v . ... . . . ...};i . . :j:4isr:-:-:::- i i+:2: ;:"i::::::.-..":d- -