Page 8
University Daily Kansan
Friday, Nov. 7, 1958
John Wertzberger
Walt Schmidt
Bill Blasi
Homer Floyd
Tom Russell
H. C. Palmer
Larry McKown
Nine Seniors Play Last Home Game Saturday
Nine seniors will play their last home game in Memorial Stadium tomorrow, when the Jayhawkers take on Nebraska in the traditional homecoming game.
Four of the players are two year lettermen. The others have received letters one year. All of the men have been either starters this year or on the second team.
Leaving are halfbacks Bob Marshall and Homer Floyd; quarterback Larry McKown; guards Tom Russell and Ron Claiborne; tackles Bill Blasi and H. C. Palmer; center John Wertzberger, and end Walt Schmidt.
These men are playing their last Kansas football game tomorrow:
Larry McKown—Took over as first unit quarterback in the Iowa State game and led the team to its first victory of the year. McKown, relatively small for a college player at 5-foot. 11-inches and 165 pounds, has shown real improvement this year, especially on defense. The Oil City senior has developed into a top-notch ball handler.
Bob Marshall — A two-year letterman from Warrensburg, Mo. Marshall has been a standout for the Jayhawkers in all three years. He was hampered by injuries most of last year, but has recovered to become one of the top offensive threats on the team. Marshall plays aggressive defense. He does some throwing from the tailback slot when the Jayhawkers switch to the single wing.
Bill Blasi—Missed the first month of the season with a broken hand, but returned to help the Jayhawkers past Iowa State. He was a defensive standout against Oklahoma. The Pratt product has done an outstanding job at tackle after shifting from guard in early season.
Homer Floyd—A 22-year-old two-year letterman from Massillon, Ohio. He is a top ground gainer and defensive halfback. Floyd has led the Jayhawkers in rushing for the past two seasons but has had trouble moving on the ground against KU's defensively strong opponents this season.
Ron Claiborne—A two-year letterman. Claiborne is a big player. He is 6-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs 229 pounds. He comes from Aarillo, Tex.
John Wertzberger — Started the early games at the center position on the first team. Wertzberger is 6-feet, 3-inches and weighs 210 pounds. He is from Lawrence and is a two-year letterman.
Tom Russell-A 205 pound letterman right guard who missed the first part of the season because of injury. His defensive play has been outstanding on recent games. He is from Grove City, Ohio.
Walt Schmidt—A two-letter winner from East Greenville, Pa. Schmidt is the Jayhawkers' utility man on the line. He has played three positions this year. Schmidt injured a knee in the TCU game and missed several games, but has been running full speed since the Iowa State contest.
H. C. Palmer-Started first three games at right tackle and is currently playing behind Blasi. The 196-pounder from Atchison shifted from end at the start of the year.
Bob Marshall
Ron Claiborne
Mitchell Praises Team's Play Against Superior Opponents
Coach Jack Mitchell, now in his first year at Kansas, has nothing but praise for the spirit and character of his football players. Mitchell leeks forward to rapid improvement.
"If we can improve the physical ability of our players and maintain the splendid spirit they have
shown all season, Kansas will build fast," he said.
"Despite a losing season in the record book, the team has shown the character at all times. The boys have been willing to sacrifice even when up against superior odds. Many of our boys have been playing over their heads most of the season."
Another bright spot for him was the team effort against Oregon State. The most pleasing afternoon by far, though, was the first win of the year against Iowa State, he said.
Jack Mitchell
"If they are behind us like that when we lose, I wonder what it will be like when we win a few," he said.
Mitchell said the highlight of the season thus far, was the tremendous support shown by the student body in the loss to Oklahoma. Mitchell said this was the greatest display of enthusiasm he had ever seen.
Praises Student Support
Didn't Expect to Win
Mitchell said he was not disappointed by the games KU has lost.
Mitchell has his eye on the freshman soudu which he thinks has the physical ability to aid the team next year.
"I didn't expect to win one game this year. When we beat Iowa State, it was a really pleasant surprise."
"The physical help is there," he said. "If the freshmen can show the
same spirit as this year's squad, we can go no other way but up."
In his first year of coaching a Big Fight school, Mitchell said the conference teams rank just as high as teams from other conferences.
"Just as Tough as Any"
"The Big Eight,schools are just as tough as any we have met," he stated.
Mitchell replaced Chuck Mather as head coach of the Jayhawkers last November. He brought an impressive record for winning football games with him.
In five years as a head football
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coach, at Wichita University and the University of Arkansas, Mitchell produced winning teams every season.
As an All America quarterback at the University of Oklahoma Mitchell led the Sooners to Big Seven co-championships in 1946 and 1947 and the championship in 1948. A native Kansas, he played high school football at Arkansas City.
His first coaching job was as head coach at Blackwell, Okla. High. In 1950 he was backfield coach at Tulsa. He spent two years as line coach at Texas Tech and then went to Wichita.
The Wheatshackers posted a 5-4-1 sea on mark in 1953, their first year under Mitchell, and won the Missouri Valley title with a 9-1 record in 1954.
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