PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 1951
May Reap Gridiron Fortune This Year
Bv DON SARTEN
Hinting at a great year for Kansas on the gridiron in '51, Coach J. V. Sikes told local businessmen attending last night's annual Grid Kickoff dinner he felt the team was a year away from its peak, "but my boys don't want to wait that long!"
He said further, "We're just gonna play football every Saturday. If these youngsters catch fire, we're liable to be great. Early season breaks can and will tell the story."
Sikes had said earlier he felt this year's squad was "the best balanced I've ever had."
Repeating a theme he he's used before, the head coach said he would have to depend upon sophs and juniors to carry the bulk of the load. And even one or two frosh.
"I've got the fewest number of varsity boys back of any team in the conference," Sikes said, "with the exception of possibly, Kansas State."
The new freshmen eligibility rule will help tremendously, Sikes admitted. Not only can they gain valuable experience by scrimmaging the varsity, but one or two, he mentioned Paul Leoni, a Chicago product and Don Mudloff, another Windy City representative specifically, will strengthen the varsity.
"Mrkonic may be my top choice of four or five boys out for punting chores," he said. "But I just don't have a boy who can boom out those long puns. It'll mean a touchdown disadvantage every game."
The taciturn coach said he felt he had depth. But in the next breath admitted they needed a lot development.
Still playing his cards close to his vest, Sikes cautiously mentioned being "weak in the kicking department." He said he did not have a pointer to replace Dolph Simons."
In other departments he expressed pleasure at his prospects. Three boys in the placekicking department, he felt, might get him an extra point or two. "Something we lacked last year." John Konic, Bill Pulliam and Don Hess were all rated as excellent by Sikes.
In comparing this year's ground attack with last year's national ranking of fourth, he didn't feel they'd be able to hit that high again.
And, in the quarterback department, still hadn't found a better, "all around man" than Chet Strehlow.
"Bogue is a better runner, Robertson a better passer, but neither as good all around as Chet," Sikes said. He did not mention who would start in this weekend's encounter with TCU.
"Each of the boys have good days at that quarterback post. The one having a good day on a Saturday, will be my quarterback," the gray coach told the 150 men assembled in the Eldridge Hotel's banquet room.
Most of the improvement must come in the line, especially on the defense, the coach felt. The grid mentor said he has to use sophoores in a defensive tackle slot and
two guard positions.
The Jayhawker mentor closed with a statement "We're glad to get out of Lawrence and play against TCU on their own field. Maybe the change in field will change our luck!" K.U. has yet to beat TCU in nine tries.
Sikes went over opponents briefly, saying all were "just one year better." He figured Colorado as the biggest threat to Oklahoma's supremacy. Loyola as one of the best home games and Missouri as the outfit "we're just gonna beat hail out of..."
Sports Parade
New York—(U.P.)—One eye on the baseball brawls and the other on the gridiron gallopers, a cockeyed curtain raiser for Fralley's Follies—or the weekend football "winners."
Game of the Week
Kentucky over Texas—This is offense against defense, and when you have Babe Parilli pitching, the offense seems to have the edge. Kentucky also has a host of other fine backs while Texas must put its burden on Byron Townsend. The Longhorns look to be in a strong corral.
The West
Texas Aggies over UCLA—Nobody can win the American League flag.
California over Santa Clara—that's the way it looks.
Stanford over Oregon—it's not a question of winning, anyhow.
Southern Cal over Washington State- it's who will blow it.
Also: Washington over Montana, Wyoming over Idaho, Colorado State over Washburn and Colorado Aggies over Colorado.
The South
SMU over Georgia Tech—Now for the Indians.
North Carolina over N.C. State— Used to be cry babies.
Duke over South Carolina—This time they're choking.
Boston U. over W. & M.-On apple cider.
TCU over Kansas—it's fish and chips.
Tulaa over Hawaii—and nobody hits.
Baylor over Houston—imagine if it went two more months.
Oklahoma Aggies over Arkansas—they'd all be in the cellar.
Syracuse over Temple — More chances than you'll get in A.A.
Boston College over Wake Forest take the Yankees.
The East
Harvard over Springfield — Alcoholics anonymous, that is.
CASH AND CARRY BRANCH
New York—(U.P.)—The Indians are punchless, the Yankees act punchy, the Red Sox are brittle and crunchy. The Dodgers are reeling and the Giants are free-wheeling—and that's the quick sizeup on the incredible pennant races today.
Pressure High In Flag Races
At L. G. Balfour Co.
411 W. 14th Phone 307
But the Indians still come through with the timely blows that win games as they demonstrated once more yesterday in their 6 to 4 victory over the Red Sox that put them back within three percentage points of the pace-setting Yankees, who blew a 7 to 1 decision to the White Sox while acting like old fighters who had been hit in the head too often.
And in the National League, the high-speed Giants who have won 30 of their last 36 games, came through with a 6 to 5 victory over Cincinnati, while Brooklyn lost, 7 to 1, to St. Louis as their lead was cut to three games.
Three Day Service And 1 Day Specials
Major League Standings
American League
American League
W. L. Pct. G.B.
New York 54 622
Cleveland 91 56 619
Boston 86 56 606 21
National League
W. L. Pct. G.B.
Brooklyn 90 52 634
New York 89 57 610 3
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