THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2,1954 ,TIHE MICHIGAN DAILY IAVr9" £m'~AAk4 I3AL v ZI Vivid Memories Still Linger In Minds of 'M' Footbal }Fans Topp, Former 'M' Gridder, Stars With Football Giants By PHIL DOUGLIS The 1954 Michigan football sea- son is now history! The vast Michigan Stadium now stands deserted. Gone are the teem- ing thousands, the thundering bands, the pretty co-eds with the big Maize and Blue Chrysanthe- mums, and the waving flags. Only memories remain. Memor- ies of the giant Ron Kramer reaching high into the air to spear a crucial pass, memories of Tony Branoff being carried from the' field, perhaps for good. Memories of the roaring comeback in the Iowa game, and the horrendous beating at the hands of Army. It was a good season to most ob- servers, better than most expected. Finishing the season with a six won, three lost, Michigan tied for second place in what many call America's toughest conference, the Big Ten. Despite the loss of such key men as Branoff, and first stringers Jim Bates and Jerry Williams, and temporary losses of big Lou Bal- dacci, and Ed Hickey, the Wolver- ines astounded the experts by fin- ishing the season as the 14th best team in the nation according to the AP poll. Kramer Great Surprise Perhaps the greatest surprise of all was the arrival of one of the greatest prospects in years, Ron Kramer. Kramer, who snared 23 passes for 303 yards, scored 32 points, led the Big Ten in punting with a 41-2 yard average, and blocked three crucial punts, made every "All-Midwest" squad, and many All-American third teams. A season like this as a sopho- more caused many to shake their heads with wonderment as to what the future holds in store for the big fellow. The all-around play of quarter- back-fullback Lou Baldacci was another factor in the resurgence of Bennie Oosterbaan's team into the national gridiron picture. A great line backer on defense, Baldacci was second to Kramer in pass re- ceiving with eight receptions for 211 yards and a touchdown. Even more amazing is the fact that he had an average of 26.4 yards per reception. The all-around Akron blockbuster finished second to Kra- mer in scoring with 31 points, and also managed to complete seven forward passes for 71 yards. Baer Most Valuable Most valuable man on the en- tire Michigan team this year from the player's viewpoint was Fred Baer, who continually tore the op- posing lines to shreds with his dev- astating line plunging. The La- Grange senior fullback led the Wol- RON KRAMER LOU BALDACCI . .. surprise sparkplug ,.. steady 'M' performer turning in key fumble recoveries throughout the season. Tommy Maentz, and Ron Geyer round out the starting line that caused ri- val coaches more than one grey hair throughout the season. Wolverines Top Offensively Cold statistics do not tell the whole story. The team that topped all others in the conference de- fensively, and finished second to Bowl-Bound OSU offensively, did not gain these accomplishments by a miracle. It took hours of long, tedious drilling on cold, windswept Ferry Field every afternoon for several months. Block and tackle, block and tackle, tackle and block - that's football, and the Wolver- ines became used to digging their noses out of the damp turf time and time again. Hours of skull sessions, and coaching strategy went into the season . . . movies, diagrams, re- ports, and more reports. All of this work paid off in the big stadium here in Ann Arbor, the modern arena under the shadow of Mt. Ranier, the mud-soaked Dyche Stadium in Evanston, and the huge horseshoe at Columbus. The uphill battle against injury and inexperience was to all in- tents and purposes won by the 1954 Wolverines. The gear is now stowed away for another long year, and the season is only a memory. But it is this memory that will live to become a vital link in the great Michigan tradition-the tradi- tion of Yost, of Crisler, and now of Oosterbaan. verines in rushing with 439 yards5 on 107 tries for a 4.1 average and it was he who turned the Iowa tilt into a Michigan victory. To many observers the most de- pendable workhorse of the team was Danny Cline, the steady half- back who saved many a game with a timely dash,-and nearly stunned mighty Ohio State with his first period touchdown jaunt. Cline led the Michigan squad in total yard- age with 682 yards and was second in passing with 15 completions. Another ray of light in the Wol- verine picture was sophomore quarterback Jim Maddock, who was pulled off the bench into the Iowa game, and proceeded to turn defeat into victory. The Oak Park Illinois rookie lead the Maize and Blue in the passing department with 16 completions. Hickey Leads in Rushing Another cog in the Big Blue ma- chine was Ed Hickey, who despite a smashed rib, managed to' lead the team in the Big Ten rushing statistics with 5.2 yards on 31 at- tempts. Upfront in the Michigan line, there were standouts aplenty. Art Walker, the fierce senior tackle, placed on several All-American third teams, and made nearly ev- ery All-Conference and All-Midwest team. Captain Ted Cachey, and Cap- tain-elect Ed Meads played steady ball at the guards, with " Meads By JIM BAAD Bob Topp, a familiar sports fig- ure around Michigan last year when he was a star performer at left end, may be finally proving himself in the pro ranks after starting out with some initial dis- appointment. Signed to the National Football League's New York Giants, Topp was cut from the squad before the 1954 season began. He was re- * . BOB TOPP ... now grid Giant called later, however, when an- other offensive end, Dick Wilkins, was injured. Stars in First Game Topp wasted no time distinguish- ing himself when his chance came. In his first game, against the Steelers, he grabbed a 13 yard pass, the only one thrown to him, and made it good for a touchdown. He duplicated this feat for the second week in a row against the Philadelphia Eagles, this time on a 19 yard pass play. This gives him the distinction of having a perfect record in the pass catching depart- ment; 2 catches in 2 tries for 2 touchdowns in 2 games. Topp's movement into the pro ranks was probably no surprise to Benny Oosterbaan, who thought Topp improved more rapidly than any other player he has coached. "He developed from a gangling youngster as a sophomore into an excellent end. He has good hands and a lot of courage," said Ooster- baan of his former outstanding left end. Gains Popularity The popularity Topp has gained among his new teammates is tre- mendous. Head coach Jim Lee Howell thinks much of the big boost in team morale which the Giants have experienced can be traced to Topp. Howell says, "Bob is the jokester of our club and probably the best liked boy on the team. He helps keep our team re- laxed. He doesn't tighten up like some of our other new men." Proof of Topp's popularity came after his success in the Steeler game. "When he scored at Pitts- burg," said Howell, "the whole team went after him. They pound- ed him so hard I was afraid they might hurt him." SPORTS JACK HORWITZ Night Editor It's Time to Start Thinking of 14 CHRISTMAS with GIFTS from Staeh & Buss To help the shopper, may we suggest Neckwear Jewelry Shirts Hosiery Pajamas Pocketbooks Sport Shirts Handkerchiefs Robes Worm Jackets Sweaters Belts-Suspenders Scarfs Raincoats Gloves Overcoats Hats Suits, Topcoats ALL GIFTS APPROPRIATELY BOXED This year, more than ever before, it is smart to start your Christmas shopping early. STORE HOURS DAILY 9 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. MONDAYS 9 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. "THE DOWNTOWN STORE FOR MICHIGAN MEN" 309 South Main "WE SERVE TO SERVE AGAIN" OYAKAWA, KONNO RETURN: OSU Main Threat to 1SwimAers I I - -- -7.- LOWER PRICES! i Give Useful For Christmas ! I i i By LEW HAMBURGER. The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, moving from the football field to the swimming pool, will again be in the National spotlight if all goes according to pre-season forecasts. Ohio State has lost its great freestyler Dick Cleveland, but its other two Hawwiian greats, Ford Konno and Yoshi Oyakawa are re- turning for their final year of com- petition.# Oyakawa, the unbeatable back- stroker is the defending Big Ten' and NCAA champion at both the 100 and 200 yard events. Only Beaten Once Konno, the diminutive middle distance freestyler, was beaten only once in Collegiate competition' last year, that at the hands of Michigan's Jack Wardrop in the NCAA 220 yard freestyle event. Konno broke the World record for the 220 and 440 last season, as well as winning the Big Ten and Na- tiona 440 and 1500 meter events and the Big Ten 220. However, although Oyakawa ap- pears to be far ahead of the back- stroking field, Konno will have to fight all out to retain his crowns. The Buckeye speedster and War- drop were involved in three or four nip and tuck races last year, with both men under the World record in one race at the NCAA meet. Against Oyakawa in the back- stroke for Michigan will be Jim Krutbers and Don Potter, unless Coach Gus Stager chooses to use one of his great medley artists, Jack or Bert Wardrop or Bumpy Jones. Bert Wardrop placed third in the NCAA backstroke. Replacing Cleveland, the Buck-I eye sprinter who broke all existing Ohio State's divers who have held' records for the 100 and 50 yard a monopoly on diving champion-1 events, will be Tom Whiteleather ships for several years face a rug- who was right on Cleveland's heels ged test in Michigan's Jim Walters all season. He placed third in the and Charley Bates. Michigan meet a year ago behind Walters, who broke the Ohio- his teammate and Michigan star ans' one-two punch of Morey Sha- Don Hill. piro and Jerry Harrison in the Biga Gora to Sprint Ten Meet last year wil: have the Ron Gora will probably take on added advantage of his home pool the sprinting chores for Michigan when the Buckeyes come to Mich- in the 1955 season. He swam the igan for a dual meet. A year of 100 and 220 yard events last season, experience under Bruce Harlan's making the All-American team at able tutelege will also be a great both positions. aid. Swim Squad To Stage COmedy aler Carnval Water ballet, comedy swimming Michigan's tank aces are ex- and diving, and championship petted to gain most of the glory swimming will all be packaged into in the AAU events. Such stars as an evening of entertainment at= "Bumpy" Jones, Jack and Bert th Pwate2r eni vl h d ld f 217 East Liberty St. KUOHN' S -WALK A FEW STEPS AND SAVE DOLLARS- JANUARY 3-31 11 Sport Shirts by Shapely $3.50 up Beau Brummell Ties $1 50 up Jerk's Sox, 55c up Gates Gloves Bath Robes in Seersucker $6.95 Terry Cloths, $11 .95 Gabardines, $11 .95 Corduroys, $15.95 Topcoats with or without zip in linings, $40.00 up Smithison Suits $40.00 up Slacks, $7.95 up Sport Coats, $24.95 up Jewelry by Pioneer Bill Folds, $3.50 up Shapely Shirts, $3.50 up white or colored Champ Hats, $5.00 up GIFT CERTIFICATES ul,. ..wa..e ca vai s eectu e or Friday evening at Varsity Pool. Ann Arbor swimming fans will get their first look at the 1955 edition of the Michigan swimming .el Pioneer Suspenders and Belts, $1.50 up Suede Jackets, $22.50 up Shortie Coats, $24.95 and up in plain, fancy and tweeds Sweaters by Gantnor $7.95 and up Hankies, 35c up Linen Hankies, 50c up 'I MAR01 Of DIMES Wardrop, Mike Delaney, John O'Reilly, Ron Gora, and Jim Kru- thers will all be seeking AAU laur- els, as will most of the other Wol- verine varsity and freshman swim- team in action in the 20th annual mIers. Michigan Amateur Athletic Union As a part of its less serious mo- championships, one part of the ments the carnival will include a elaborate carnival, water ballet by the Michifish and The Wolverines natators will a comedy ballet by Wolverine div- also present major part of the ers Jim Walters and Charlie Bates. comedy swimming and diving acts, Jack Wardrop and Gora will which will include a diving routine perform a comedy swimming rou- by Coach Bruce Harlan, a three-tine demonstrating varsious strokes time national champion, and John Murphy, ineligible for varsity com- from all over the world, includingj petition this year due to his trans- the Tasmanian crawlstroke and fer standing. the Egyptian sidestroke. Phone NO 8-8020 1 -_ _ __ __ _ __ _ ___ _1 STORE HOURS DAILY 9 TO 5:30, MONDAYS TO a Warm Cotton FLANNEL 1 SHIRTS $2.69 Genuine Deerskin DRESS GLOVES $5.95 Fully Lined Men's Broadcloth PAJAMAS Sanforized Men's 100% wool flannel DRESS PANTS $10.95 9JNCE. eY I84AV E:30 EA AdLA Sport Shirts 3.95 -13.95 ° $ 4' Gloves 3.95 and up Socks 55c.2.95 $ u $T $x $& j 4 i+F i I I I ESQUIRE GIFT H1EAIQARTERS Marvelous assortments of ARROW, VAN HEUSEN, PENDvLLTON :_sport shirts, SCULLY leather coats, WELDON pajamas, sport jackets of all weights for all kinds of weather. d For the ladies Pendleton 49'er Jackets.. skirt-s. slacks m 11