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University Daily Kansan Monday, Sept. 12, 1955.
Tackles Appear Much Stronger
By DON PW RCE
Some observers are calling the tackle position weakest link in KU's upcoming 1955 line. Coach Chuck Mother does not subscribe to this tag.
"Frankly our tackle play improved more than any other spot in our line during spring practice," the second-year Jawhawk boss analyzes. "We have at least four boys with enough potential to make tackle as strong as any position in our line."
The four include Gene Blasi, senior veteran from Pratt; Jim Hull who saw no action as a sophomore last year; John Drake, lettered junior from Cassoday and Frank Gibson, Miami of Ohio transfer, who was Mather's 1951 captain at Massillon's Washington High.
The latter three, particularly, flashed encouraging individual improvement during the spring. Blasi, the Jayhawk's No. 2 shot-putter, was in action only part-time because of his seasonal track duties. He experienced a disappointing year last season, but could develop rapidly into a fine all-round hand boy merely playing up to his physical potential. He was a regular most of last season and will start off in front on the right side when practice opens Sept.1.
Gibson will draw the getaway call at left. Mather considers him a fine offensive tackle right now, who will improve defensively with experience. Gibbon did not play defensive football extensively in the prep tanks.
Hull is behind Blasit; Drake behind Gibson. All our scale in the 215 to 220-pound range.
This quartet does not include the entire picture. Mather and his tide coach, Lauri Wartiajn, will have considerably more manpower with which to build than was on hand last year. Gene Vignatelli, a frequent starter, and Dick Knowles, who alternated between
OVER EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS OF BEEF—This fearsome foursome will face KU's opponents at various times this fall from the tackle slots. Left to right it's John Drake, Gene Blasi, Jim Hull, and Frank Gibson. Blasi and Gibson are currently running on the first string with Drake and Hull furnishing stiff competition.
guard and tackle, are the only losses.
There are three candidates behind the four who carry enough potential to move up quickly in the event of injury or failure of the leaders to play up to expectations in the early headhocking.
This trio includes Greg Fouts,
bolldover squadman; Sophomores
Jim Wells, and Eurt Stueve, and
Dick Reinking.
Wells, considered the finest high school lineman in the state during his senior year at Ellinwood, has let it be known he will make a place for himself, a challenge none of
BELL
the top four can afford to regard lightly. Stueve also is indexed as a better than ordinary prospect.
Reinking at 6-2 and 225, obviously carries enough size. He also carries a promising reputation. Reinking played the past two seasons with Fort Benning, Ga. He is an Arkansas City graduate.
Whoever plays must mature swiftly for they are meaning the most vital defensive spot in any club's line. Playing the likes of TCU, which admittedly will field its best squad in a decade; Washington State and Colorado, both returning every line regular from 1954 will furnish a three-game nothose which will ripen this green crop at the season's outset.
'55 Cross Country Team May Be Best
Six promising sophomores will join five returning lettermen and one squadman when Kansas begins cross-country workouts here Sept. 12. The rookies, who waltzed off with the Big Seven freshman postal title last year, include Jerry McNeal, Minnetapolis, Minn.; Bob Nicholson, Maize; Hal Long, Van Nuys, Calif.; Verlyn Schmidt, Hays; Bob Cormack, Salina, and Paul Baker, Dedham, Mass.
Coach Bill Easton will welcome back every member of the 1954 team which won KU's 8th consecutive league Hill-and-Dale flag. Capt. Al Frame and Tommy Rupp are seniors; Lowell Janzen, Jan Howell and Grant Cokson, junior. Berrie Gay, a 4:17 miler who missed much of last season with a foot injury, also will be available. He is a junior.
1955 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 17 Texas Christian Fort Wort
Sept. 17 TCU Fort Worth
Sept. 24 Wash. State Lawrence
Oct. 1 Colorado Boulder
Oct. 8 Iowa State Lawrence
Oct. 15 Oklahoma Norman
Oct. 22 SMU Lawrence
Oct. 29 Nebraska Lincoln
Nov. 5 Kansas State Lawrence
Nov. 12 Okla. A&M Lawrence
Nov. 19 Missouri Lawrence
(Nomecoming)
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