...
Thursday, Sept. 12, 1957 University Daily Kansan Page 5
Guard Should Be Strongest Position On KU's 1957 Line
There are three other promising sophomores, aside from Vanatta. Gerald Horejs, 198-pound Chicagoan, is a converted fullback who could develop into a good linebacker.
Dick Rohlf, 178-pound high school All-American two seasons ago at Kirkwood, Mo., is another good overall propect. Larry Davis, 185-pound from Carrolton, Ohio, was first string with last year's freshmen. He carries good speed and aggressiveness.
Guard should be the strongest position in KU's 1957 line. Returning are two veterans, two top lettermen and one of the finest sophomore prospects on the squad, Chet Vanatta.
Back for his third season as a regular is tri-captain Bk Braus, one of the most versatile blocking guards in Jayhawker history. Defensive improvement would put him into all-conference contention.
Vanatta, who is certain to press Kraus for a starting job on the left side, is a 220-pound Bartlesville, Okla., recruit. He played center throughout spring practice, but was returned to guard when John Wertzberger took over center.
Swoboda, Vanatta and fullback Dewitt Lewis are the new line-backing corps on which the Jayhawkers are depending to bolster their defense. If Swoboda can become a consistently good blocker there will be few better Big Eight football players.
His startage mate on the right is Paul Swoboda, a 215-pound senior who has proved himself as a linebacker.
Swoboda will be pressed by Tom Russell, a 210-pound converted junior tackle who was hobbled much of last season by injuries. He played well at middle guard during the spring.
Behind them is a third letterman, Ervell Staab. Staab is a capable all-around hand from Hays.
Also high in the picture is Bill Blasi, brother of ex-tackle and shot-putter, Gene. He missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Kansas Guard Roster
| Name | Ht. | Wt. |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Blasi, Bill (Jr.) | 5-11 | 183 |
| Davis, Larry (Soph.) | 5-10 | 185 |
| Horeys, Gerald (Soph.) | 5-11 | 198 |
| Janes, Ed (Soph.) | 5-11 | 195 |
| **Kraus, Bob (Sr.) | 6-2 | 212 |
| Murray, Bob (Soph.) | 5-10 | 165 |
| Rohlf, Dick (Soph.) | 5-10 | 178 |
| *Russell, Tom (Jr.) | 6-3 | 210 |
| *Staab, Ervel (Jr.) | 5-8 | 187 |
| *Swoboda, Paul (Sr.) | 6-0 | 215 |
| Vanatta, Chet (Soph.) | 6-2½ | 220 |
Floyd Needs 178 Yards
Kansas halfback Homer Floyd needs only 178 rushing yards to displace John Amberg, fullback of the 1948-49-50 elevens, at tenth place on KU's all-time career ground-gaining tables. The slender Massillon, Ohio junior, rambled for 638 yards as a sophomore fullback, fifth-best single-season production in Jayhawk annuals. Amberg erected his total in 161 carries and was good enough to play with the New York Giants in 1951 and '52.
finest
Welcome back
to the
baked
Drake Bakery
goods
Linemen Used As Punters By Kansas
907 Mass.
Kansas frequently has employed linemen as punters over the last decade and expects to add another this season in end H. C. Palmer. Another end, Jim Letcavits, kicked more than any Jayhawker save Ted Rohde last year, averaging 34.6 in 23 boots. Rhode logged 41.6 in 26 to finish among the top six national major college leaders for the third consecutive season. Palmer did not punt under game pressure last year. The Big Eight returns the fourth and fifth ranked national leaders of last season in Colorado quarterback Boyd Dowler at 42.1, and Oklahoma State Jim Wood at 41.6.
Jayhawks
Texas Christian, KU's first opponent of the 1957 season, has played in nine Bowl games—the most for a Southwest Conference school. During that span they have appeared in every major Bowl game except the Rose Bowl.
Find It In The Kansan Classifieds
Welcome Back
VI 3-4516
STOWITS REXALL DRUGS
Incorporated
847 Mass. St.
When You're In Doubt, Try It Out—Kansan Classified Section.
As seen most on the campus
to serve you