Governor's Cup at stake
'Hawks, State square off
By JAY THOMAS Kansan Sports Editor
The opening line of the Kansas State press brochure reads "Is Vince Gibson for real?" Tomorrow the entire state will be able to answer that question as of 'We Gonna Win' brings his lavender bullies to Lawrence for a renewal of the annual Rodgers-Gibbon grid war. So far Big Blue Pepper leads Purple Pride Vince 2-0 in their short, but lively series.
This week however, Rodgers has been bluer than usual having seen his team suffer two tough losses, including last Saturday's 16-7 deflator to New Mexico.
On the other hand, Vince has gone grape over his Wildcats in spite of their 17-14 loss to Penn State. Gibson has put down his copy of Jack and the Beanstalk (which he read to his team before their game with Penn State) and gone back to the play book wherein lie the secrets that may
decide tomorrow's ballgame. Both teams have gone through a week of closed practice sessions indicating that some surprises may be in the offing.
Contrary to prevailing opinion from some more-westerly quarters, one of these surprises won't be that Kansas will not show up. Coach Rodgers has not gone rum-maging around for a Jack and the Beanstalk or even a Red Badge of Courage and has promised that his squad will "make a real ball-game out of it."
Added Importance
This is indeed encouraging because tomorrow's game takes on more significance than ever before. Governor Robert Docking will present a 34-inch high silver trophy (henceforth known as the Governor's Cup) to the winner and isn't it just coincidence that after 14 years of K-State losses, a cup will be awarded this year.
Of course, it is also just coincidence that Governor Docking has appeared on the Vince Gibson television show twice already this season. No doubt that little thing about a statewide Purple Pride Day last Saturday and the governor's pregame telephone address to the crowd at the Penn State game was nothing either.
Now that ol' Vince has presented Docking with purple jersey No. 12, emblematic of the 'Cats 12th man, maybe we should go all the way in behalf of the governor's nonpartisanship and hold Kansas State's homecoming in Lawrence this weekend. Obviously the state's Orange Bowl representative, defending co-Big Eight champ, and winningest coach are, all of a sudden, secondary to the violet tumbleweed of the prairie—after wins over powerful Baylor (0-3) and Arizona (0-3) at that.
6 KANSAN
Oct. 10
1969
When Pepper Rodgers says that people have short memories, you know now what he means.
State. Much Improved
State, Much Improved Any kind of memory however could tell you that Kansas State has not defeated Kansas since 1955. Like it or not, this is the finest State team since that time.
Led by Broadway Lynn Dickey (who is sporting white shoes this year a la you know who) and a somewhat small but legitimately strong defense, Kansas State goes into the game a touchdown favorite on most charts. After talking with Penn State Coach Joe Paterno and Syracuse assistant Chuck Fogarty (who was in Manhattan scouting the Nittany Lions), that may be an accurate appraisal of the relative strengths of the two teams, as of last Saturday.
Paterno refused to compare this year's Wildcats with last year's KU team. "I could not fairly do that," said Paterno, "because we played Kansas in their 11th game. They were, at that stage in the year, a better team than K-State is now but Kansas State has the potential, if their talent continues to develop over the season, to be that good. I do know one thing. Kansas will have its hands full. We did."
Both Play Defense
Coach Fogarty was asked to compare Kansas State with the KU team that defeated the Orangemen 13-0 two weeks ago in Lawrence. "I must say that Kansas State played a much better team today (Penn State) than Kansas did when they played us," joked Fogarty. "But anyway you look at it, K-State is tough. They come up with the big play defensively when they have to and their backs, particularly Herron (Mack) and Montgomery (Mike) impress me with their second and third effort. Kansas has a very fine team but will need to come up with some more offense. It will be a great game."
That pretty well sums it up. Everybody knows that Kansas and Kansas State can play defense. They've both shown it
DUROCHER STARTED AS A YANKEE
CHICAGO (UPI)—Leo Durocher, identified with the National League throughout his career, started his active playing as a second baseman with the New York Yankees in 1926.
so far. The Wildcats have also shown that they can move the ball with consistency, something Kansas has been unable to do. In an effort to improve this situation, Coach Rodgers has moved last year's top pass receiver, George McGowan, back to offense from his defensive secondary spot. It should be a good move.
But whether it will be enough to offset the State weapons remains to be seen. Quarterback Dickey, last season's best Big Eight passer statistically, is right back on top again this year. Wingback Herron, tailback Russell Harrison, and fullback Montgomery rank sixth, ninth and thirteenth on league rushing tables and Montgomery, second unit fullback Jerry Lawson, Herron, and split end Fory Wells stand third, sixth, seventh and twelfth in receiving.
The 'Cats are also first in the league in rushing defense and second in total defense. Tackle Ron Yankowski (at only 215 pounds) has been outstanding. So have middle guard John Stucky (who was all over the field against Penn State), monsterman Alan Steelman, and end Manny Barrera (the heaviest defensive starter at 239 pounds). State has shown exceptional reaction and quickness thus far and Coach Gibson, hoisting an arm into his purple undershirt in the locker room last Saturday, was free with praise for his defense, which stopped Penn State inside the Wildcat 30, three times in the second half.
Here in Lawrence, Coach Rodgers can take solace in the fact that Kansas State itself was stopped six times inside the Nittany 30, four times in the first quarter alone. No doubt Pepper and his staff have mulled this fact over many times this week and also noticed that Dickey will throw into a crowd, likes to go to Herron in short situations, throws considerably to his backs, and loves to work the slant-ins.
Desire, The Key
Still it will take more than this knowledge to beat K-State. The team that wants to win this one the worst will walk away with the cup and in this regard the Hawks appear primed for a top effort.
Several sources, including this
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publication, have at various times this week been critical of Coach Rodgers and his players after the loss to a physically less-superior New Mexico. Obviously, everyone, including the Kansan, knows that Rodgers knows how to coach the essentials of football (blocking, tackling running and thinking), that he knows what a coach is for, and what he should and can ask of a team. He has more than proven that.
Then too, Kansas State does not own sole possession of that indispensible commodity called pride. But the fact remains, and every squad member from Rodgers on down would agree, that
motivation was lacking against New Mexico. That should be no problem tomorrow.
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India Association of Kansas City Presents
SITAR CONCERT by India's Great SITARIST DEBU CHAUDRI and his Troupe Sat., Oct. 25, 1969 7:30 p.m.
Battenfeld Auditorium, KU Med Center,
K.C., Kan. Tickets $3, $2.50
(Reserved), $2 (Unreserved), Children
(6-12 yrs.) $1.25. Children (up to 6
yrs.)—Nursery. For students 50¢ discount,
if purchased in advance. For ticket
reservation send checks to India Assoc.
of K.C., 4312 W. 69 Ter., Prairie
Village, Kan. 66208. For Lawrence information,
call 842-7339.
'72 Party
The sophomore class is sponsoring a party Friday, Oct. 17. The beer is flowing free and the sounds are by Bob Kuban and the Inman. The charge is free for all sophomore dues payers and $3 per couple for everyone else.
So make a date for Oct.17 and come to the National Guard Armory for lots of music and lots of BEER.
Compliments of Ace Johnson