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University Daily Kansan Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1957
Jayhawkers To Find Strong Opponent In Horned Frogs
By MALCOLM APPLEGATE (Daily Kanssan Sports Editor)
With Texas Christian moaning the blues about its 1957 football prospects and Kansas prospects at an all-time high under the Chuck Mather regime, many might suspect that the Jayhawkers are a shoo-in to win their opener against the Horned Frogs Saturday night in Fort Worth.
A closer look at the facts reveals that KU will probably have their hands full against the Texans. Remember last year's game in Lawrence? The Frogs scored at will pile up a 32-0 victory. It would seem that TCU could afford to lose some men and still give Kansas a battle. Thirty two points is a lot to improve in one year.
Lost 14 Lettermen
Certainly the loss of 14 lettermen will hurt the Frogs this year, but the seventeen returning lettermen should comprise a fairly sound nucleus for a team. All of these men gained extra experience last year when the Texans practiced an extra month in preparation for the Cotton Bowl. (TCU defeated Syracuse in the Cotton Bowl, 28-27.)
Let's take a closer look at this supposedly weak TCU team and see just what the Jayhawkers will face in their opener.
Captain Buddy Dike leads the Horned Frog attack. Dike is one of the most feared backs in Southwest football circles. Big and powerful, he already owns the all-time TCU fullback rushing record (658 yards in 1956) and can be expected to tack many more yards on that this year. This was the third best in the conference and was only seven yards behind the leader. Dike's linebacking has also been hailed as an important factor in TCU's 7-3 record last year.
Regular At Center
Center Jim Ozee is another of the three regulars back from last year's squad. This senior gives the Frogs a top-notch linebacker plus an outstanding pivot man.
End John Nikkel, a 6-foot 4-inch,
225-pound senior, is TCU's only other
returning starter. Nikkel is rated one of
the finest ends in the Southwest
conference. His partner on the left
side is Chic Mendoza, hero of the
1957 Cotton Bowl game. Mendoza
blocked the third extra point try
by Syracuse. He blocks well and
is very aggressive.
With Dikes leading the way, the Texans have several men who are capable of composing a potent backfield. Dick Finney will be quarterbacking the team. He was No. 2 last year. His clutch play brought the Frogs through in the Rice and S.M.U. games. Finney's main weakness has been the forward pass, but coach Abe Martin has been encouraged with his improvement in early practices.
Jimmy Shofner gives the Frogs an
Big TCU Fullback To Spark Team
Although Texas Christian University is moaning the blues about its football prospects, Kansas is certain to find one tough back among the Horned Frogs.
Captain Buddy Dike has become one of the most feared backs of the Southwest Conference. Big and powerful, he already owns the all-time Frog fullback rushing record (658 yards in 1956) and Head Coach Abe Martin expects the talented senior to tack even more yardage on his 1957 record.
Kansas will remember that in 1954 Dike made several long runs and along with Jim Swink was one of the finest backs on the field.
Dike sat out the 1955 season with a kidney ailment, but came back in 1966 and battled his way into the starting line-up. In addition to his fine rushing record, his linebacking has been hailed as an important factor in TCU winning 7 of its 10 games last year.
Swimmers Report To Markley
All men interested in trying out for the varsity swimming team are urged to report to the Robinson gymnasium pool from 4 to 7 p.m. any day this week, said Jay Markley, KU swimming coach.
outstanding left halfback. He saw action during the past two seasons, but never played regularly. Martin calls Shofner "one of the steadiest and most dependable players on the entire sound."
Jack Spikes, big 200-pound halfback, is expected to be the starter on the right side. Spikes is considered a hard runner, good blocker and capable defensive player.
The backs, ends and center seem to be well manned. Most of the key losses on the Frog's squad came at the guard and tackle positions. John Groom is the only really experienced hand at either of the two positions. He is expected to play where he is most needed.
Sophs May Round Out
The other men filling these positions are expected to come from a group of holdover squadmen and several promising sophomores. If the Texans can fill this hole in the middle of the line it could be a very tough opener for KU, which has won only two of 14 games against TCU.
Braves Show They Won't Play Dead
Those "pallbearers" had better find themselves another funeral somewhere because the suddenly comelive Milwaukee Braves don't look as if they're going to play the fall guys for a National League burial party.
Just when everyone was despairing of his chances, that Milwaukee "patient" showed a decided turn for the better today by defeating the Phillies, 5-1 and it could be the crisis is past, what with the end of a three-game losing streak and a more comforting 3-game lead in the race.
Jim Navlor, Delta Upsilon, won the singles golf title last year. Jerry Smith and Jim Armatas won the handball doubles championship and Smith took the singles crown.
Horseshoe singles titlist was Dick Brown, Beta, and the winning doubles combination was Ted Eckhert and Carlos Frey, of Delta Upsilon.
Fall Intramurals Begin September 30-Mikols
Brown Horseshoe Champ
Fall intramurals for men will begin Monday, Sept. 30, Walter J Mikols, assistant professor of physical education and director of men's intramurals, announced today.
10th Year With Buffs
The deadline for entries is Friday,
Sept. 27. All intramural managers
will meet with Mikols at 4 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27, in 204 Robinson.
One Team Sport
About 1,000 men comprising over 60 teams compete in touch football each fall. Last year the Moodies, an independent team, won the "A" championship and Beta Theta Pi won the "B" title.
Touch football is the only team sport in the fall intramural program, which also includes individual tennis, golf, handball, horseshoes and badminton.
Last year Bob Peterson, Phi Delta Theta, won the singles tennis title. He teamed with his fraternity brother, Bob Mettlen, to take the doubles crown. Both boys are now on the
varsity squad, however, and are not eligible for intramurals.
Coach Dal Ward begins his 10th year as Colorado head man this fall. Ward, who took over as the Buffaloes joined the Big Seven Conference, shows an overall record of 50-34-5 during his 9-year span. His Buff squads show a 24-24-4 record in conference play. Ward's bowl record is 1-0 after last New Year's Day's 27-21 win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
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