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University Daily Kansan
Friday, Nov. 18, 1955.
'48 Orange Bowl Team Made Football History
It's been eight years since that hell-bent-for-leather combination of ex-GIs and Joe Colleges stormed and ripped its way to a tie for the old Big Six football title, and a place in the Miami sun on New Year's Day 1948.
Yes, it's been eight years, but mention, especially at Homecoming such names as Schmidt, Evans, Bertuzzi, Schnellbacher, Small, Fambrogan, Hogan, Ettinger, French, Crawford, Sperry, McNutt, Pattee, Tomlinson, and Lee, and watch the alums shake their heads and mutter. "If we only had 'em now."
There is no doubt about it, the 1947 Jayhawkers were one of the greatest teams ever to represent KU. Led by all-American Ray Evans, this bunch played as determined as any, but probably got more actual fun out of the game than most.
Coached by George Sater and a fine staff, the team finished first in the Big Six for the first time since 1930; won seven lost two and tied one for the best KU record since 1909; won more games than any other Kansas team since the conference was founded in 1928; beat Oklahoma and Missouri in the same season for the first time since 1930; defeated Missouri in Columbia for the first time since 1934, and won over K-State by the most one-sided margin in 42 years.
Evans Led Team
Many of the squad had spent three of four years helping win a war. They made up for those years in one swashbuckling season that saw them swamped by Tula, 56 to 0; mauk Kansas State 34 to 0; slash by Missouri for the conference title 20 to 19; and surprise Oklahoma 16 to 13, the last conference loss for the Sooners.
To try to pick out the team's greatest game would be impossible. Any of the last four probably would qualify.
After being beaten two Saturdays in a row, first by Nebraska 16 to 14 at Homecoming, then by Tulsa in that shellacking, the team could
have been expected to fold. But it was then that it really began to prove itself.
The next week the Jayhawkers played the Bob Feniomore-Neill Armstrong-led Oklahoma Aggies and beat them 14 to 13 with a pair of first quarter touchdowns. That afternoon, little 153-pound Davey Schmidt tackled the great Fenimore 13 times. This in itself was a great feat, but when it's remembered that of the Aggie line outweighed that of Kansas by 30 pounds per man, it's awe-inspiring.
The next game is now referred to, in the Big Seven, as THAT game. It was the victory over Oklahoma.
Played on a muddy, rain-soaked field, it was the epitome of a team effort and a Frank Merriwell finish. With the game tied 13 to 13 and a minute and 15 seconds left in the game, Kansas had the ball on the Sooner 41, fourth down and seven yards to go.
Field Goal Turns Trick
Enter Frank Merriwell in the person of the little-known Paul Turner. With one swing of his sturdy leg, Turner became the well-known Paul Turner, because that swing started the football on a 41-yard journey through the air, between the goal posts, and over the cross bar for the three points that won the game.
The following week, the Jayhawker juggernaut really rolled, pounding K-State into submission. Lynne McNutt out-generaled the Manhattanites as Evans, Dick Bertuzzi, Forrest Griffith, Frank Pattee, and Bud French ran roughshod over them. The lineman, led by Red Ettinger, Don Fambrough, Ed Lee, Joe Crawford, and Dick Tomlinson cut through the K-Staters like a knife, through melted butter.
KU's 1955 freshman football team, which recently completed a successful three won-one lost season, is being depended heavily upon by Coach Chuck Mather to help bolster the varsity team next year.
Freshman Squad Has Successful Year
The frosh team, under the direction of freshman coach Wayne Replogle, developed into a well polished football unit and gained wins over the K-State frosh, the Air Force Academy's team, a surprise victory over the varsity reserves and lost their season's finale to Missouri's freshmen.
Backs Starred
Their first victory was an 18-13 decision over the Kansas State earlings. The passing of quarterback Bob Marshall and the running of halfback Homer Floyd were the deciding factors in the game.
In their next outing, the KU youngsters posted a surprise win over the varsity reserves, 14-7. Giving the starters a rest, Coach Replogle played his second team in this game, but the pep and fire the team had shown all season continued to spark them and they easily defeated the varsity reserves.
Next came the annual Thanksgiving Day classic with arch-foe Missouri. This victory put the finishing touch on a great season and a great comeback.
Fambrough kicked two out of three extra-point tries for the winning margin. Marv Small made an amazing catch of a 58-yard pass from Evans.
Traveling to Denver, Colo., for their next encounter, the freshmen continued to win, defeating the Air Force Academy's Falcons, 33-0.
With eight minutes remaining, KU led 20 to 19. It had to hold the ball to preserve the victory. It did. From their own 15, the Jayhawkers ground out three consecutive first downs and the game ended with them in possession on the Missouri 48.
After this, the trip to the Orange Bowl was really anti-climatic. Even though it lost in Miami, the team had proven itself a great one.
Flovd was again the big gun in' the victory, running for three touchdowns to lead the KU attack
Only Loss To MU
The freshmen ended their season against the Missouri freshmen at Columbia, Mo., and absorbed a 14-6 loss. Kansas just couldn't get the breaks at the right time. They were on the Tiger's half-foot line as the game ended.
4 Hawks Played In Sectional Tilts
"I have never had a better disciplined group of boys," Mr. Replogle said. "Their general attitude is excellent—very mature." These boys, along with the transfer players, will undoubtedly help strengthen the varisty next year."
Four players on recent KU football teams have played in the annual North-South Shrine Game.
They are Hugh Johnston, 1948 tackle; Forrest Griffith, 1949 halfback; Wade Stinson, 1950 halfback, and Bob Brandeberry, 1952 halfback.
The most net yards rushing in a single game made by a KU team was 662 yards accomplished by the 1923 team against Washington as KU won 83 to 0.
Don't Forget Souvenirs
for Homecoming
Ceramic Salt and Pepper Shakers
Ash Trays—Both $1.25
K.U. Souvenirs — Stuffed Animals
All kinds of Gift Items
Be sure to come in and see our supply!
Mail Orders Filled
1241 Oread
From the Kickoff to the Final Play We're with the JAYHAWKERS
The Burnett Meat Company has been supplying Jayhawkers with high quality meats for many years, and wishes their friends success in their big game.
FAMOUS FOR KANSAS CITY STEAKS
Ph. Victor 6911 Kansas City, Mo. 1800-1816 Main St.
Burnett Meat Co.