8
Friday, September 14, 1973
University Daily Kansan
Linebackers Spell Trouble For Opposing Ball Runners
Kagan Staff Photo by AL SWAINSTON
Gary Isaacson
No, this isn't a review of the latest TV horse opera. Each of those names belongs to one of the four linebackers University of Iowa football fan FamBrough has called "didn't-drinkers."
Butch and Sundance are being chased again, jokks, but this time it isn't by the law. It's just a couple of guys named Gabe and Walker.
Towle, left, Baird combine speed, toughness
Dean 'Butch' Baird, Hosening junior; and Steve "Sundance" Towne, Tawhee Mission junior, are listed as the first team linebackers on the KU death chart.
But the two named Gabe and Walker, senior Mike Gardner and junior Odell Weidner, are making the starters work for their jobs.
These four are big reasons why Fam-
brough can state that the Jayhawks'
defense, ranked seventh in the Big Eight
last season, is much improved.
The position of linebacker itself demands more of the players than any other on the
defense, but all four say they wouldn't want to play, anywhere else.
"I like to compare it to the offensive quarterback situation," Towle said. "The linebacker keeps it all together out there. If you think I'd do good in 11 different things, it's in trouble."
There is an air of confidence about these four men. Baird and Towle have been playing together for three years, and each knows how the other is going to react. Even
“It’s the position I want everybody would want to play on defense,” said Gardner of the St. Louis Rams.
There is an air of confidence about these four men. Baird and Towle have been playing together for three years, and each knows how the other is going to react.
Even so, there is the 1972 season to consider. Opposing teams poked large and consistent holes in KU's defense. So why the confidence?
"I feel my strength is pursuit," said Baird, "and Steve can stand in the middle and take the punishment, so we complement each other very well."
Weider, from Topeka, said maturity is the major reason for improvement.
"Last year I wasn't quite ready for Big
Eight competition," he said. "We needed that year. We're ready to play."
The 'Hawks' new defense, a 5-2-4 set,
gives the linebackers more area to cover,
but they all think it's an improvement over
last year's 4-4-3 alumnium.
"Last year, there were too many people in the middle." Towle said. "Now we have two kids. Our children are not living there."
The new defense also sets the stage for the maximum competition among the "Cowboy Corps," but they think that is a definite asset.
"I'm pushing Dean, and it makes him better, and I'm better because I chasing him."
Competition as close and as fierce as these men have might be expected to breed a little ill feeling, but they say it has drawn them together.
someone to replace me." Towle said.
"I know if I get hurt I can depend on
The nicknames the players have given themselves are a sign of their camaraderie. Baird sports a moustache and slightly shaggy locks. He also wears a little brown derby. Hence, his teammates have labeled him as 'Lee'. Newman character of the same name.
Towle is smooth shaven, so the corresponding "Sundance" was given to
Wedner and Gardner wanted to get into the cowboy act and picked up "Gabe and Walker" from the current twosome in the television beer commercials.
The four kid each other a lot, but as withe
ness are dear悉敏 when we
reach the field.
Add up the depth, intensity and talent of these four "coowbys" and it amounts to serious trouble for any hapless back or receiver who wanders into their area.
BOGEY CONTEST
Best Bogart imitation gets a free pass for two to the Bogart Festival. Wear your Bogey trenchcoat and hat and show up at 6:45 Monday, Sept.17 in the lounge of the Kansas Union. Only one winner. Judges decisions will be final.
UA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA
TREASURE OF SIERRA
MADRE
Wednesday, Sept. 19
directed by John Huston starring Humphrey Bogart
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19
7:30 & 9:30
75°
Woodruff Auditorium
SUA Humphrey Bogart
THE AFRICAN QUEEN
SUA Popular Films
Monday, Sept. 17
starring Humphrey Bogart
& Katherine Hepburn
Thursday, Sept. 20
7:30/8:30
Woodbury Auditorium
directed by John Huston starring Humphrey Bogart & Peter Lorre
MALTESE FALCON
75c 7:30&9:30 Woodruff Auditorium
SUA Humphrey Bogart Film Festival
Riggins, Jets Agree on Contract
The Jets said they have received verbal permission from the NPL to reinstate Ruggis, a third-year pro, who had been suspended for life with the notation that he did not report.
Riggins is expected to suit up for Monday night's game against St. Louis. He had asked for a reported $12,000 but settled for a coach. The spokesman. Details were not revealed.
NEW YORK (AP) - Running back John Riggins ended his holdout and signed with the New York Jets yesterday, the National Football League club announced.
SUA Humphrey Bogart Film Festival
SATURDAY, 5:00 p.m... St. Lawrence Chapel, 1910 Stratford Rd.
SATURDAY, Midnight... University Lutheran Church, 15th & Iowa
SUNDAY, 9:30 a.m... St. Lawrence Chapel, 1910 Stratford Road
SUNDAY, 11:00 a.m... Woodruff Auditorium, Union Building, 2nd
Floor
75° Woodruff Auditorium
"STRAW DOGS"
7:00 & 9:30
Friday, Sept. 14
2:00, 4:30, 7:00 & 9:30
Saturday, Sept. 15
7:55 Woordriff Auditorium
Riggins was chosen as the Jets' most valuable player last season by his teammates.
"Casablanca"
SUNDAY, 6:30 p.m. ... St. John's Church, 12th & Kentucky
DAILY MASS, 12:30 p.m. Danforth Chapel
DAILY MASS, 4:45 p.m. St. Lawrence Chapel
Tuesday, Sept. 18
7:30 & 9:30 Union Ballroom
starring Humphrey Bogart
MASS SCHEDULE
THE 14th and Ohio
Sandwiches • Soups • Beverages
Home Cooked Specials
Now Serving GOOD EATS
Daily 11:30-2:30
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No fancy patterns?
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