Page 6 University Daily Kansan Thursday, Sept. 14, 1961
'Big Five' Heads KU Tackle Corps
Dick Davis
Kansas will mount its best mass tackle strength since 1952 this autumn when Jack Mitchell and his staff send their fourth Mt. Oread edition into another punishing 10-game grind.
That crew of nine years ago was imposing. Oliver Spencer earned varsity All America and still is laboring in the pros. George Mrkonic also enjoyed professional success. John Lundy, Orville Poppe and Bud Bixler completed the first five. This quintet helped fashion a 7-3-0 record, a level unmatched until last year's 7-2-1, which later was reduced by two forfeits to 5-4-1.
AS WAS THE CASE nine seasons back there is a "Big Five" nucleus this year. Four, Stan Kirshman, Larry Lousch, Mike Fisher and Dick Davis are senior lettermen. The fifth, Fred Eiseman, is a junior who barely missed lettering. Behind them are two holdover squadmen, Newton King, and Wallace Barnes, plus four promising sophomores, Karl Sartore, Arma; Fred Elder, Wichita; Tom Schulte, St. Louis, Mo., and Tommy Thompson, Springfield, Mo.
The latter swung between center and tackle during spring drills and may continue that pattern this autumn. Barnes may be the club's kickoff man as well as succeeding the graduated John Suder as extrapoint and field goal specialist.
This is a position deep in experience and proven talent. The top five are thoroughly battle-tested since they carried the load last year. In comparison with other Big Eight tackle corps this gang is not imposing physically. There is no Spencer among them either. But the fierce competition for first-string jobs is certain to produce two starters who will ask no quarter from any opposition on the schedule.
KIRSHMAN AND LOUSCH were regulars most of last year and will open the season on the first line. Both face considerable pressure: Lousch from Davis and Sartore on the left side; Kirshman from Fisher and Eiseman on the right.
Kirshman, tri-captain along with quarterback John Hadi and halfback Curtis McClinton, frequently has been called "the most consistent lineeman" on the club. Not endowed with speed, he is strong, steady and high in technical efficiency. Louss is quick and fast, blocking downfield well and frequently getting a hand on tackles after a second effort.
DAVIS, AT 225 the biggest of the lot, owns high mobility and speed.
rusher is a durable bulldog who plays hard every down. Eisman, a converted halfback, is a less experienced copy of Kirshman.
Jim Mills, who handled right tacckle well down the stretch last season despite his lightish 180 pounds, returns to guard. He and Fisher, who started the final three games following a Kirshman injury, were battlers tremendous in the November run past Nebraska, Colorado and Missouri.
"Considering everything, depth, experience and ability. I'll say this is probably our strongest position in the line," Mitchell analyzes.
Inexperience Depth at KSU
Head Coach Doug Weaver is expecting to improve on the 1-9 mark of his first season, last year, as head man at Kansas State with his main strength being at center and guard.
With 34 of the 63 listed players on the roster being sophomores, the Wildcats will have a great deal more depth than last season but will be lacking in experience.
One of the major problems to be solved prior to the K-State opener with Indiana Sept. 23 will be to find a capable quarterback. With the loss of the first two signal callers, switches were made in spring drills to fill the gap, weakening other backfield spots.
"We appear to have more men with good football instinct, native ability and aggressiveness. We will continue to stress defense," said Weaver of the general outlook for the season.
Weaver expects the added familiarity which the squad will have with his system to result in an advantage this fall.
Probably the most outstanding individual player for the Wildcats, who will come to Lawrence Nov. 11 to battle the Jayhawkers, is 190 pound center Al Kouneski. He and 190 pound Salina junior Darrrell Elder, an end, are the top bets for all-conference selection from Kansas State.
The top offensive threat for the last place Cats will again be halfback Jack Richardson who netted 219 yards rushing for a 5.8 per carry average. Also returning is the number two K-State rusher, Bill Gallagher, who played in only the first game of the season and gained 117 yards.
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