Thursday, Nov. 17, 1960 University Daily Kansan
Page 7
By Bill Sheldon
The 69th battle of the fifth oldest collegiate football rivalry is only two days away. Not only is the Kansas-Missouri schieks one of the oldest in existence but also is the closest in total scoring of the top five.
The longest series is between Lafayette and Lehigh. These two former powers have met 95 times. Next comes the intense Yale-Princeton string, which adds up to 83 games. Yale is also half owner of the third longest rivalry, having played Harvard 76 times. Big Ten rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin rank just ahead of the Jayhawker-Tiger series in length. They will meet this season for the 70th time.
Although KU has been exchanging blows with MU every year since 1891 except 1918, the series is a deadlock. At present, Kansas has won 30 games, lost 30 and settled for a tie with the Tigers eight times.
Kansas has had one string of five victories, and two of six years in a row without defeat while the longest Tiger streak has been seven times as they were winners over the Hawks, or there was a tie.
The teams have exchanged victories most every year, but there have been several short winning streaks.
Since 1954 the squads have alternated wins with the exception of the 1958 tie. Since Missouri was the victor last season, if things hold true to form, KU should capture at least a tie this year.
In the 68 games played, the total points scored by the two teams differs by only six. KU has scored 787
New Record for Wilt
Wilt Chamberlain last year set a new record for missing free throws. Jeremiah Tax, staff member of Sports Illustrated, reports.
Tax said the Big Dipper had hit only 577 free shots for a terrible 58 per cent score for the year. Yet no pro basketball player has ever been awarded as many free throws as Wilt shot last year-991, tax wrote.
If the figures by Tax are correct, Wilt would have averaged 14 free throws every game.
points compared to 781 for Missour
The greatest winning margin for Kansas was their 1930 shelling of the Bengals, 32-0. Missouri slaughtered KU, 45-6 in 1941, which is their most impressive win over Kansas.
This Saturday will be the first time in the lengthy series that the outcome will determine the winner of the conference title.
Missouri, who will be seeking its first undefeated, untied season, hasn't taken a league crown since they went undeFeated in 1945.
Since the present MU coach, Dan Devine, took over in 1958, the Tigers have finished second twice.
Also in this third year, KU's Jack Mitchell will be seeking the first conference championship for Kansas since the Jays battled for a tie in 1947. The last undisputed crown for Kansas came in 1930. The other Mitchell-coached squads have finished fourth and in a tie for third in the league standings.
So, not only will the laurels of this season, and the honor of being the first team to dethrone Oklahoma in 14 years be at stake in Columbia Saturday, but the winner will take the lead in games won in one of the nation's oldest athletic rivalries.
Throw away the two candidates for All America honors on the Missouri Tigers, the nation's No. 1 football team, and there remains a team which would be a title contender in any football league in the country.
MU Shows Few Weaknesses
Missouri coach Dan Devine claims he has no real outstanding individuals, but players who have pulled together to reach the pinnacle of success this season. Despite such a claim, there are individual leaders on this year's Tigers who have played a key part in making the Tigers the best team in the country.
The most publicized of the Tigers is their right end, Danny LaRose.
A surprise for Devine and his staff was Gordon Smith, another senior end.
LaRose, a 6-foot four inch 220 pounder, who was selected as the Lineman of the Week for his play against Penn State, ranks sixth in the league in pass receiving and fifth in punting.
The Missouri tackles, although not outstanding have been vital in the Tiger's powerhouse offensive which has crushed nine straight opponents.
MU's finest interior lineman, Rockne Calhoun bolsters the right side of the forward wall. At 210 pounds, Calhoun is being considered for all-conference honors.
Ed Blaine, at 215 pounds is the other Missouri tackle. A junior, he replaced one of the tri-captains of the Tigers, Bill Wegener, who was
out this season because of an injury. Paul Henley, a 200-pound junior, and Tom Hertz, a 205-pound sophomore, make one of the most dangerous guard duos in the conference. The Jayhawkers will see a lot of them as they lead the wide power plays which are the trademark of the Tiger offense.
Lightest of the linemen is the 195-pound center, Mike Langan.
Another of the Tigers who has received many considerations for conference and national honors, is Mel West.
West has been among the nation's leaders in rushing throughout the season. At 185 pounds, he is the main outside threat in the highly talented MU backfield.
One of the leading punt returners,
160-pound Norm Beal relieves West.
The starter at right halfback is the Big Eight's leading scorer, 175-pound Don Smith.
Behind Smith are two top reserves, Norris Stevenson and Fred Bossart. Bossart, at 185 pounds, is the defensive ace among this group of fine ball carriers. Stevenson is the Tiger's second leading ground gainer.
Fullback and quarterback are very stable positions but neither starter has received much recognition.
The Tiger signal caller is junior Ron Taylor. Although only 5-feet eight inches tall and only 175 pounds, he has scrambled into the fifth position in league passing and has led the Missouri attack throughout the season.
Like Kansas' Doyle Schick, Missouri's fullback is principally a blocker. But, like Schick, Ed Mehrer is more than capable of grinding out needed yardage. Mehrer, one of the tri-captains, weighs 190 pounds.
These are the players who will be facing the twice beaten, once tied Jayhawkers in Missouri's Memorial Stadium Saturday.
These players have made the Missouri Tigers the top team in the nation.
Long Termer
CLEVELAND —(UPI)— Tackle Alex Groza, now in his 15th year of pro football, is the only member of the original Cleveland Browns still active.
WE CAN PREPARE YOUR CAR FOR THE LONG—COLD WINTER AHEAD!
CITIES
Expert mechanic-friendly service
SERVICE
NUMBER 6 SERVICE
(Across from the Big Buy) VI 3-9600
SALE
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
NEW FALL—
SALE AT
CAMPUS
SHOP
ONLY
- SKIRTS
- SWEATERS
- DRESSES
- TAPER PANTS
- SUITS
All Reduced a Whopping 40%
Before Thanksgiving!
Royal College Shops 837 Mass.