Kansas gets early breather
Hapless Lobos go for No.22
By BRUCE CARNAHAN
Kansan Sports Writer
In 1892 New Mexico University began playing organized football. The first Lobo squad played two games against Albuquerque High School and was defeated both times. Thus was born a football tradition which has endured unto the present day.
The names of the players and coaches may have changed but one thing remains certain, the Lobos, losers of their last 21 contests, can still give Albuquerque High a good game. Whether they can do the same with big-time college competition has yet to be seen.
Inexperience and a lack of depth characterize Coach Ruby Feldman's '69 gridders who meet
Kansas tomorrow night at University Stadium in Albuquerque
Feldman faces another rebuilding program at NMU this year. He lost 24 lettermen off last year's 0-10 team but has replaced them with some fine sophomores and junior college transfers. This fall the Lobos (which is Spanish for wolf for those who have been wondering) appear to be stronger than last season.
New Mexico opened its campaign at West Point bowing to a strong Army team 31-14 and then fell last week to the University of Texas at El Paso 21-6. Their last victory came in the opening game of the 1967 season when they toppled Idaho State 24-3.
The Lobos, members of the Western Athletic Conference, return only 10 lettermen who saw action in last year's 68-7 slaughter at the hands of KU in Lawrence. Most of the squad will revolve around 40 sophomores and halfback David Bookert.
All-American candidate
The 6-1 speedster weighs 195 pounds and was named to the first team All-WAC last season even though the Lobos failed to win a game. Bookert possesses all the credentials necessary for all-American honors this year. He led the team in rushing, scoring and accounted for almost 80 percent of the team's total rushing offense with 872 yards on 209 carries last season.
the senior workhorse though not extremely overpowering is blessed with exceptional balance and quickness and is a constant breakaway threat.
Joining Bookert in the backfield, which appears to be an NMU plus, is junior Sam Scarber and a good group of sophs and juco transfers. Scarber split his time at fullback and linebacker last year but will concentrate on fullbacking this year. He led the team in kickoff returns and is a crushing blocker with good power.
10 KANSAN Oct. 3 1969
Other hopefuls in the backfield, which run out of the Texas Wishbone T, are Houston Ross and Phil Franczyk. Ross led the freshman team in rushing last season while Franczyk, Bookert's backup man, was sidelined with injuries most of the year.
Question mark OB
Quarterback seems to be the question mark in the Lobos' backfield due to the graduation of Terry Stone. Frank Gorman, a red shirt last season and Larry Korpitz are still battling it out for the permanent role. Gorman appears to have the nod but Korpitz is the better scrambler and passer. Because of the fine running attack and the lack of experience at quarterback, Coach Feldman has not shown a wide-open passing attack.
Though lacking depth this year's offensive line is expected to show improvement as the season wears on and should be much stronger than last fall. Top lineman is guard Greg Sargovetz. The only other returning letterman in the line is tackle Julius Koziel. Tommy McBee, a 5-8 split end, has nailed down a starting role and has been impressive.
Defense is the Lobos' critical area. The defense, which allowed 403 points last year, appears to be somewhat better but graduation took its toll, it toll is the word from an 0-10 team.
The defensive front four looks to be the hardest hit. The only returning letterman is Rodney Wallace, a 266 pound tackle, and lack of experience and depth is very evident.
Linebacking is of serious concern to Feldman who has tried nine players at this position. Only one player, Jerry Buckner, had seen any varsity action before the first two games.
Solid look in secondary
The defensive secondary has been a pleasant surprise however. The Lobos have already intercepted six passes in their first two games, only four less than all last season.
Practice sessions for the 'Hawks have been good all week and everybody has been reasonably healthy, a welcomed development from last week. The only regular who is doubtful is fullback John Riggins who is still nursing a lingering leg injury. Mike Reeves is slated to start in his place should Big John be unable to go.
Al Jakobecic still has a bad ankle but will play. Bob Tyus who made four tackles behind the Syracuse line of scrimmage last
Saturday will open in Jakobiec's middle guard slot.
With an improving offense and a solid defense, the Hawks first basketball score of the year is not out of the question.
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