Bowl Trip Excites Mitchell
You'd think by watching Jack Mitchell that he's headed for his first football bowl game.
United Press International
The handsome, cigar-puffing 38-year-old Kansas University coach was as nervous as a kitten as he waited for his players' decision this week on the Dec. 16 Bluebonnet Bowl at Houston, Tex.
MITCHELL PACED BACK and forth outside the closed doors where the players were voting. He gnawed at a cigar and kept running his fingers through his hair.
When team spokesman John Hall opened the door and announced that the players had voted to go, Mitchell broke out in a big grin, flipped his chewed cigar into a nearby trash can, and said, "I'm glad we're going — because I like to play football."
HE PLAYED WITH Oklahoma teams which defeated North Carolina State 34-13 in the 1947 Gator Bowl and North Carolina 14-6 in the 1949 Sugar Bowl, and he was an assistant coach at Texas Tech in 1951 when that team won the Border Conference and whipped College of Pacific 25-14 in the Sun Bowl.
Actually, these post-season bowl engagements are old stuff for Mitchell.
"But this is my first bowl team as head coach." Mitchell said, "and I have to admit it's a different kind of thrill."
The popular Jayhawk coach, who was awarded a lifetime contract last year after leading Kansas to a 7-2-1 season, will be guiding the second bowl team in the school's history.
Kansas defeated Georgia Tech 20-14 in the 1948 Orange Bowl in its only previous appearance.
MITCHELL IS CALM and collected, as college football coaches go. He keeps his composure—most of the time—on the field, although he is constantly gnawing on his cigar or a blade or grass.
But the energetic Jayhawk coach bubbles with energy and enthusiasm, and his exhuberance spreads throughout his coaching staff and team.
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"Jack is so enthusiastic that you know he believes in what he's saying and doing, so you believe in it too," Kansas assistant coach Bill Pace said.
"EVEN AS A PLAYER, Jack's enthusiasm was catching and inspirational. His enthusiasm for football was so great that nothing was too unimportant to receive his full attention," said Bobby Goad, a teammate of Mitchell at Oklahoma and former Kansas assistant.
Mitchell still holds several individual records at Oklahoma, where he played from 1945-1949. He wound up his college career by quarterbacking the Sooners to their victory over North Carolina in the Sugar Bowl after they had compiled a 9-1 record for the regular season.
In his three years as Oklahoma's first-string quarterback, Mitchell helped lead the Sooners to 25 victories, five losses and one tie.
HE HEAS CONTINUED his winning ways as a coach, compiling a 14-5.
1 record in two years as head man at Wichita; 17-12-1 mark in three seasons at Arkansas; and 22-15-3 ir four years at Kansas.
Kansas was deprived of a Bowl game a year ago when it was slapped with an NCAA probation.
"The seniors on our ball team this year certainly deserved a bowl bid." Mitchell said. "They have played good, sound football for three years and I feel it is fitting and rewarding that the Bluebonnet Bowl selection committee asked us to play."
THE MAIN THING worrying Mitchell now is who the Jayhawks opponent will be. Several teams have been mentioned, with Rice and Baylor the most prominent.
Rice reportedly has been tendered an invitation, provided it beats Baylor Saturday.
"Rice and Kansas would be a good match," Mitchell said, "provided it is Rice.
Jack Mitchell
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"UNTIL WE KNOW for sure, we will run through conditioning drills and keep in shape. Then, as soon as our opponent is named we can start formulating definite offensive and defensive plans."
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Mitchell admits he was a little disappointed with his team's 6-3-1 record this year, but adds, "with a little luck we could have had an undefeated season."
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Kansas lost two games by one point, another by three points, and battled underdog Wyoming to a 6-6 tie.
"We don't have that long gainer this year. . . that breakaway threat," Mitchell said, "but we have a good football team and will give a good account of ourselves in the Bluebonnet Bowl."
SOUTH BEND, Ind.—(UPI)—Notre Dame today should receive the official NCAA ruling that its game-winning field goal over Syracuse was illegal but it may not be the "final" decision.
A letter has been mailed to the Irish by NCAA President Henry Hardt of Texas Christian University, backing up the opinion of rules committee Chairman Robert R. Neyland of Tennessee that the 41-yard field goal by Joe Perkowski came on a down which should not have been permitted by the officials.
Notre Dame yesterday had not received the letter and Athletic Director Moose Krause had no comment until the opinion has been received.
It was believed likely that the Irish again would request a study of the interpretation by the officials, which allowed the extra down, by the full rules committee. Executive Vice President Rev. Edmund P. Joyce Tuesday asked the NCAA for such a hearing.
Notre Dame is not obligated to concede the victory to Syracuse, now on record as defeated by a 17-15 score. The rules provide "no redress" and thus neither Neyland nor the NCAA can reverse the score.
Dispute Remains Over Field Goal
Should the Irish renew this demand, then presumably the decision would be delayed until January when the rules committee meets to discuss possible changes for 1962.
Thursday, Nov. 1961
Topeka May Lose Baseball Franchise
TAMPA, Fla. — (UPI) — Topeka may be without professional baseball next season.
Ken Blackman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, president of the Three-I League, announced here yesterday that the six clubs which operated in the league last year were unable to find enough Major League affiliates.
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