The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 28

THE PITTSBURGH PRESS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1949 PAGE 28 vnUDn(oru (B o) mm if I 7 v. 1 a r-) Papach Switches Football Jobs, Marshall Says He'll Retain By CHESTER L. SMITH Sports Editor Develops Into Offensive Star Panther Coach Riled By Critics Charging Too Much Practice1 By CARL HUGHES The charge that Pitt had "left its game on the pra. tice field" before last Saturday was heatedly denied toda a riled Mike Milligan. "We didn't scrimmage much more than usual last week," the Panthers' head football coach asserted in an- Out at the University of Illinois they have been struck with a reasonably brilliant idea.

They aren't going to wait for Bob Zuppke to pass along to write nice things about him that he wouldn't be able to read. Instead they are going to tell the little Lujack Lczding i fx I v- swer to critics who suggested rritipc who ciiorcToctoH that Pitt was "stale" for the: Indiana game. "Our first and second teams scrimmaged for 20 minutes each Tuesday and Wednesday. The third team was the only one to scrimmage Thursday and I figured it needed the work since there wasn't much chance to; play those boys in the previous games," Milligan asserted. Denies Late Practices The Pitt mentor also denied that he had kept the team on the practice field past 7 p.

m. any night last week. That was another charge made in expound i Dutchman to his face. It will be a Zuppke weekend at Champaign, opening with a dinner Thursday night, and because Zup is one of the greatest figures football ever has produced, the affair takes on more or less of a national touch. Zuppke's influence on the game was as far-reaching as any man's Pop Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Gil Dobie, Fielding Yost, to skim hurriedly across the top crust.

He and Warner and Dobie formed an inseparable trio, broken up now by Dobie's death and Warner's advancing years. Zup was the dynamo, Warner the needier who liked to Incite the little man to wild outbursts of impassioned oratory and the serious-minded Gil the foil for both. There was the night in Chicago before the Army-Navy game of 1926 when Pop so infuriated Zuppke that the latter ing the theo that the Baugh of the AiVKV I 1 XI He Stopped the Music-with Paderewskil Zup had a quaint, barbed manner of expressing himself that left priceless anecdotes in his wake. Involved in a discussion regarding the merits of his most famous player Red Grange on one occasion, he stopped the music in his own Inimitable style. "Well grant you that Grange Is in a class by himself as a ball carrier," one of disputants said, "but what else can he do? He doesn't block, doesn't pass and you don't give him much to do on defense.

So how can you put in the claims for him you do?" Zup squinted his face into an owlish grin. "No one ever asked Paderew-ski to move a piano, did they?" he asked. The listeners credited him with the winning touchdown and moved on to another subject. While Grange was running hell bent for the Illini, there was frequent talk that much of the credit belonged to Earl Britton, the Redhead's blocking mate. No doubt Britton, who could throw his weight around a gridiron about as well as any of them, did contribute much to .1 0 GEORGE PAPACH "Working in mills Is much harder than playing pro "HurryrUp" Was His Favorite Enemy Zuppke always had at least one feud on the fire, but when he ran short of someone to heckle he always came back to his pet enemy, the late Mr.

Yost of Michigan. Zup was president of the Football Coaches Assn. the year Played at Purdue As Defensive Back! George Papach didn't come to the Steelers with an armful of clippings; only a great desire to play football. He had been on the Purdue varsity for two years but the only time he had his hands on the ball was when it was the Boilermakers' turn to punt. Pa pach was the star defensive back for Purdue and thus his subdued role failed to put him in the spotlight.

With the Steelers, Papach is doing everything opposite from the way he played at Purdue. Today he's the star fullback and his only job is to carry the ball forward. He doesn't handle the punting and doesn't play on defense. Shipkey Replaces Him Jerry Shipkey takes care of the defensive duties, allowing Papach to sit on the bench and conserve his strength when the Steelers obtain possession. Papach has taken great liking to the single wing because it was this system that gave him the opportunity to run and because it has made him a star.

I played under Cecil Isbell and1 Stu Holcomb at Purdue," Papach points out, "and both use the T. Maybe I didn't fit into it. I don't know. All I know is that I came to the Steelers, they handed me the ball and told me where to go. Blockers Lead Way "I find blockers clearing a path and then I see a hole.

So I just keep going and my blockers knock the other boys down." Papach had one of his best days for the Steelers Sunday against the Bulldogs. He rambled for 113 yards and his season average is over seven yards a carry, a remarkable feat for a fullback, especially in pro football, where they always seem to know where you re heading. It took Papach quite a few games, to adjust himself to pro football. Last year, he ran be hind Shipkey and Tony Com-pagno until mid-season. Then he took over the first-string full back role and it's been his ever since.

Giants Got Sample He first opened the eyes of the local fans when he gained 148 yards against the Giants here last year and indicated he was a star in the rough. Papach isn't big as pro football backs go. He weighs about 205 pounds but is rough and tough and can take it. Papach is a mechanical engi neering graduate of Purdue and worked from January until June for a local engineering concern His home is in Youngstown and he followed the usual route' to that seems to attract most Youngstown High stars, Frankie Sinkwich and George Poschner, to name a couple. Played with Geri In fact, Papach played on the Georgia freshman team with Joe Geri of the Steelers, but, after going into the service, decided! to take up engineering at Purdue.

Papach worked one summer in the Youngstown mills but made up his mind that he would be glad to trade his football ability for a college education. "And I- can safely say that working in the mills is much harder than pro football," Papach adds. Bulldogs Bough on Him Papach absorbed a good body beating from the rough and tough Bulldogs Sunday and claims he didn't have any trou ble falling asleep Sunday night. He was in bed at 9:30. His severest critic is his father, John.

His dad works in the Sheet and Tube Co. as a toolmaker and comes to Pittsburgh every Sunday to see the Steelers in general and Son George in particular. "He really gets excited," George says of his Dad. "When he comes down to the dressing room after a game, he's still mumbling. He feels as though he really played the full 60 minutes!" LES BIEDERIVIAN.

Joe Louis Old Self In Exhibition Bout PROVIDENCE, R. Oct. 25 (UP) Retired World Heavy weight Champion Joe Louis looked his old self iast night as1 he easily outclassed clumsy Bill! Weinberg of Chelsea, In1 an easy-going four-round exhibition bout at the auditorium. Though not exerting himself and despite big training gloves, the 35-year-old former titlist floored Weinberg for a nine-count with a short left hook in the third. After that Louis was more careful not to hurt his opponent.

Louis shuffled forward throughout the four rounds, seldom taking a backward step. However, he didn't rush Weinberg and at all times appeared to be holding back. Louis was a heavy 222, while Weinberg weighed in at 211. The former champion looked as though he could get rid of the extra poundage, and whip into top form within a month. This was the first of a series of exhibition bouts iA New England, a tour that may help Louis decide if he wants another shot at the crown.

He faces Joe Dominic at the Hartford, auditorium tonight. Redskin Staff Whelchel to Stay At Least for Season WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (UP) Owner George Preston Marshall of the Washington Redskins pro football team said today he will stand pat on his coaching staff at least for the rest of the season. Marshall's statement was in response to reports that John (Bil-lick) Whelchel, former Navy coach and now Redskins' head coach, under a five-year contract, would be fired because of the team's poor showing. A few minutes earlier, Leo DeOrsey, a director and minority stockholder of the club, told the United Press, "I am dissatisfied with the entire coaching staff, and I think that Whelchel will be out as far as I'm concerned." 'Marshall's Province DeOrsey emphasized, however, that the coaching staff was Marshall's province.

"I'm going to keep the coaches if the coaches are willing to siay, xviarsnaii saia. "i never fired a coach in the middle of the season. I won make any state ment one way or the other as far as IPftfl is rnnfemofl DeOrsey said he "would love" i I to havp TVTntr. rjamA's rrrir I Leahy coach the Redskins. De- Orsev.

who Is Lpahv's attnmpv said he felt that Leahy would i take the job "if the proper offer were made." But Marshall spiked that possibility, too. "The matter of Leahy Is im possible," Marshall said. "Finan cially, we can't afford Leahy. He makes more money now than President Truman, including the President's recent raise (to a year)." No Disagreement Marshall- and DeOrsey emphasized there is no disagreement between them on business mat ters and denied reports that either would sell to the other his interest in the club. Meanwhile, Whelchel author ized a statement saying: "We have a game of football to play in New York with the Bulldogs Sunday.

I and this football team have a job to do which takes all our thought and effort. We will do this job despite the disconcerting talk that takes place." To Revise Defense The Redskins management said the team's defense alignment will be revised in an effort to pull the team out of its slump. The Redskins are in fourth place in the Eastern Division of the National League with two victories and three defeats. Ortmann Credited for Upset ANN AUROR. Oct.

(UP) Michigan Halfback Chuck Ortmann's nearly single-handed upset of highly favored Minnesota Saturday gained him United Press Midwest Player-of-the-Week honors- today. The dazzling Milwaukeean completely befuddled the power-laden Gophers with deadeye pass ing and quick-breaking ground jaunts. Few players have ever made such a convincing one-man performance as he did' Saturday. Primarily a Passer i nducu yi ui-cu aa a paasa i Ortmann was an outstanding running back too, accounting for 207 of the 228 yards the Wolver ines gained through Minnesota "greatest" line. The Wolverine sensation also connected on nine of 17 passes to make Michigan's faltering air Ortmann furnished just the spark needed to get Michigan off in high.

Playing the greatest game of his career, Ortmann was complete master of the hapless Gophers, who were constantly uncertain whether the Michigan ace would run or pass once he got his hands on the pigskin. On several plays he started out with full intention to pass and then when the Gopher defense dropped back to cover his receivers, he took off on foot for long gains. Led Big 10 Passers Modest and unassuming, the i Wolverine star credits his mates for his brilliant show. "The way the boys blocked for me it was easy to make good gams," Ortmann said. As a sophomore sensation last year, Ortmann finished as the Big Ten's top passer.

Not particularly fast, Ortmann depends on shiftiness and brain-work to outmaneuver would-be tacklers. Several times against Minnesota, rather than trying to run down the Gopher giants, Ortmann let them make their "strikes" first and then danced by for sizeable gains. Umpires Elect Buck Belsterling was named president, George Smith, vice president and John Ritter, secretary-treasurer of the Pittsburgh Baseball Umpires at a meeting in the Roosevelt Hotel iast night. by on a ilium mm irnr wir mi Mini By LES BIEDERMAN took the floor and held it from early evening' until sunup. Overlooked entirely were a dinner date with Mrs.

Zuppke, a speech that was to be made to a group of alumni and food of any sort. Zup always talked better with his shoes off. He would remove them at the first indication that a debate was brewing and stomp the floor in his stocking feet, gesticulating madly and ranting in his high-pitched, deeply accented voice. Once, when the Illinois squad was leaving to play Minnesota in a game on which the conference championship hinged, the players had dressed and were in the bus waiting to be driven to their train. Suddenly, Zuppke appeared on the steps of the gymnasium to be greeted with a roar of laughter.

He was fully dressed and ready the trip. The only detail he had neglected was to put on his pants. 'bob zuppke VyZT the Grange saga. No ballcarrier has ever been built who can do it alone. But Zuppke didn't like to hear his illustrious Ail-American belittled and never failed to come to his defense.

He quieted a detractor once by grabbing him by the coat lapels, glaring in his eye and saying, "All right I give you Britton as a terrific blocker and I give you Grange as the greatest ball-carrier. But I also want you to know that my Red can go farther on the littlest bit of blocking of any boy I' have ever seen." removed Fielding from the role of coach last Fall," he remarked while Yost went apoplectic with rage. A widower now, Zuppke lives comfortably in an apartment in Champaign, surrounded by his football trophies, his paintings many of which he has exhibitedand his friends. They call often and in numbers. Occasionally, he will become his old, fiery Particularly when someone mentions the T-formation.

Zup calls it "the lazy man's football easy to teach and easy to learn." One of his former players, Ray Eliot, uses the at Illinois today. Zup probably will tell him off Thursday night when it's his turn to speak. xttsus appeal eu in me stands uiey were bewildered with the glisten ing and slick appearance of the sodden turf as it hadn't rained in Baton Rouge in the past two days. Snavely protested bitterly and loudly, but to jio avail Tinsley said the field actually was too wet for his tastes, but said he couldn't help it. North Carolina practiced so long on the field Friday night that the grounds attendant left before they finished," he said.

"The team manager sprinkled the field. Friday night. Saturday morning, the attendants sprin kled the field again, not knowing it already had Deen watered by the team manager. Tinsley said Snavely didn't complain before or after the game. Snavely himself told newsmen that "L.S.U.

out-charged us, outran us and beat us." A Southeastern Conference official who viewed the ground said the field wasn't wet enough to bother anyone. "I didn't see any North Carolina backs slip and fall," he said. "But I did see L.S.U. backs slip." Leafs Want Games The Fourth Ward Oakleaf want Sunday football games away with 135-pound class teams. Call Dan Sullivan, MA.

1-2721. A.KED FADEMWSW ffl i Vra MOVE PANO fifc t-v Dean Sensanbaugher's father bought 50 tickets for the Steeler-Bulldog game here Sunday. When his son was released by the Bulldogs in mid-week, Mr. Sensanbaugher returned the tickets and told his Columbus (O.) friends the trip was off. Grange ran through Yost's Michigan eleven for four touchdowns in 12 minutes.

The following December, at the annual coaches' meeting, Yost was nominated to be his successor. Zuppke pounded his gavel for order and asked whether the members thought Yost was still eligible. "I think (Zup said it Grange (he called him Passer in NFL Gains 1006 Yards, 55 Per Cent Complete PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 25 (UP) Johnny Lujack, once Notre Dame's top passing star, moved into first place in the National Football League passing pro ficiency rating today with a one my Washington Redskins. The Chicago Bears sophomore ace, who has his throwing arm oiled to NFL standards, zipped ahead of Baugh and sophomore Charley Conerly of the New York Giants under the league's tricky Inverse grading system.

Lu jack's record shows 71 com pleted passes in 127 tries, with a net gain of 1006 yards. Eight touchdown passes were included In his 55.9 per cent of completions. The ex-Irish tosser rated first in the number of completions, yards gained and completion percentage. Canadeo Top Rusher Tony Canadeo, eight-year vet eran, gained 122 yards for th Green Bay Packers last week end to stay in first place In th rushing statistics, but the sur prise came when speedy Bosh Pritchard of the Philadelphia Eagles nosed ahead of his run nuig mate Steve Van Buren in yards gained. Pritchard, in second place with 358 yards to Canadeo's 432, was 10 yards ahead of Van Buren, the league's all-time gaining cham pion.

Bill Chlpley, of the New York Bulldogs, was out in front in pass receptions with 28 comple tions for a total of 311 yards. Jim Keane, of the Bears, was one pass behind but was tops in ground gained with 393 yards. Keane, and Washington Ends Hugh Taylor and Hal Cris er all scored four touchdowns. Waterfield Leading Punter The leading punter was the Los Angeles Rams' Bob Water field, with a 46.4 yard average for 27 kicks, the greatest num ber of punts attempted by any player. George Gulyanic, of the Bears, was second and Joe Muha.

of the Eagles, last year's cham pion, was sixth. The New York Giants Gene Roberts was far in front in touchdown production with a total of nine for 54 points to lead the league in scoring. Five of Roberts' scores came from running plays and four from passes. Bob Doll, Detroit, led in pass interceptions with seven, one more than Emlen Tunnel! of the Giants could snare. D611 has re turned his interceptions a total of 207 yards.

Verda Smith, Los Angeles, led in punt returns and Frank Mi-nini, Pittsburgh, led in kickoff returns, both for the third Straight week. Glenn Davis Seeks Berth in Majors WEST POINT, N. Oct. 25 (UP) Lt. Glenn Davis, famed "Mr, of Army football during the war years, expressed desire today to play major league baseball, but indicated he had no definite plans regarding the future until he become eligible for discharge next June 3.

Davis admitted he has spoken with General Manager George Weiss of the New York Yankees and Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers. But, Davis said, "We didn't iet very specific because my discharge is still too far away and I'm not sure IU be permitted to resign my commission even then." Davis, who at present Is assistant backfield coach at Army, refused to discuss reports that he insisted upon a huge bonus for signing, saying, haven't reached that stage yet." ielling 111 brandy 4.34 4S rT- BRANDY DIST. CORP, 350 FIFTH AVE. N.Y.1 1 CORONET fn; 48-14 debacle at Bloomington was a result of too much work before the game. "Sure, there were a couple nights we were out until seven o'clock," Milligan quickly admitted.

"But we can't get started before five. Practice is called for 4:30, but by the time all the boys are out of the training room and taped ready to practice I 1 rsr vve just naa a 101 01 imngs and everything Indiana "lv he concluded. It was unfortunate but it's no use worrying about it now. We're only thinking about Penn this week." Dukes In Good Shape provided the only bright spot in the local college football picture today, even this long after, the harrowing events of Saturday afternoon. The.

Dukes reported no new crippling injuries and even hope to have a couple of their ailing gridders ready for St. Louis at Forbes Field Saturday. Fullback Leo Elter, who has missed and been missed -the last three games, may be ready for the Bluffites' home final. Tackle Coleman Colker also Is a posible returnee from the Infirmary squad. Pitt Tackle Injured Pitt's lone loss in Its sad afternoon at Bloomington was an expensive one.

The Panthers may go to Penn Saturday with out Bob Plotz, veteran first- string tackle. Plotz suffered a leg Injury that really was a recurrence of an old ailment. Carnegie Tech's line absorbed most of the physical beating as Case ran roughshod over the Tartans. As a result both start ing Tech tackles, Jerry Meyers and Norm Keats, may be lost for the game at Washington Jefferson. Scrubs Pay Off In SMU Victory DALLAS, Tex, Oct 25 (UP) Many of the so-called experts may be overlooking a salient fact in Southern Methodist's success story the fact that nine of the 11 offensive startefs that upset Kentucky last week are what might be truly termed "dark horses." Aside from Fullback Dick Mc-Kissack and Killer Kyle Rote, the rest of the upsetting Methodist starting crew was composed of players who have ridden the bench or trailed along in the -shadows of illustrious predeces- sors for the past one to three years In fact, three of them were never considered by the SMU scouting staff during their high school days and came to the Hill top school on their own hook and without any athletic scholarship, Their weeks of riding the bench and serving as scrubs only spurred them on to try harder to earn a varsity berth.

The extra work thus taken on proved fruitful to them, and SMU, For, now, coach Matty Bell has a crack offensive line that is developing into a potent weapon and Bell has uncovered some needed backfield help. Kiner Nears 27th Ralph Kiner, Pirate home-run king, will celebrate his 27th birth day Thursday. His home is in Alhambra, Cal. America's largett makes the lighter makes your favorite cocktail I 7 CALIFORNIA GRAPE BRANDY 84 PROOF. CORONET 1 PAH LAZY Overly-Sprinliled Grid Field Angers North Carolina Fans Tarheel Loss Laid to 'Soggy Mess' Caused by LSU's 'Man-Made Rain' BATON ROUGE, Oct.

25 (UP) Angered North Carolina students and some officials could get no support today for their theory that an overly-sprinkled football field may have helped Louisiana State University's Tigers upset the Tarheels 13-7 Sat urday night. At Chapel Hill, North shower, for when the The Steelers tried to tried to talk him into coming here anyhow to root against the Bulldogs, but the old man said no and meant it. Last week one of the New York columnists picked the probable New Year's Day Bowl contestants. Rose Bowl: Minnesota vs. California.

Sugar Bowl: North Carolina vs. Oklahoma. Cotton Bowl: Pitt vs. Texas. Orange Bowl: Kentucky vs.

Michigan State. So what happens? Minnesota gets knocked off by Michigan; Louisiana State takes care of North Carolina, Indiana dishes it out to Pitt, Rice to Texas and SMU blasts Kentucky. Bill White, Press Sunday editor, has it figured this way: Indiana beat Pitt. Pitt beat Northwestern. Northwestern beat Michigan.

Michigan beat Minnesota. Minnesota beat Ohio State. Ohio State tied! Southern Cal and Southern Cal. lost to California! Indiana to the Rose Bowl? Oh, no. Not that! Men who bet on football regularly say you don't go around making a habit of spotting a Big Ten team two touchdowns against outsiders In these pools and survive.

Indiana played a still schedule before meeting Pitt and the sharpies took the Hoosiers and 13 points and pocketed the dough. The final score: 48-14. Art Rooney tossed a luncheon today at the William Penn Hotel for his Steelers and the press and radio The Eagles never have beaten the Bears in Chicago and the Giants always give the Bears fits in New York. With the Giants leading, 35-28, and two minutes left in the game Sunday in New York, Johnny Lujack guided the Bears from their own 16 to the Giant 15 when time ran out. Lujack threw 11 straight passes, completed six, but with 15 seconds remaining, Lujack was- speared for a loss on his last pass try.

The Bears were within one pass of the record by attempting 59. Davey O'Brien holds the mark of 60, set for the Eagles in 1940. He completed 33 that day. Chuck Conerly of the Giants holds the record for completions in one game-36. The San Francisco 49ers gained only 49 yards rushing against the Yankees, and the Yankees picked up only 15 yards passing Cliff Patton of the Eagles has kicked 77 straight points after touchdown and Pat Harder of the Cardinals has booted 63 in a row.

The Dukes had the toughest breaks Saturday losing to Villanova. A fumble on the 15 yard line as they sped down-field the first time they had the ball cost them a valuable touchdown. Later, End Jim Brown caught a Villanova pass in the extreme corner of the end zone for a touchdown, after the ball had been tipped away by the Jim Ciilhioly. Brown caught the ball in one arm, too! The toughest break of all occurred when Micky Frinzl of Villanova had a punt blocked on his 13 on fourth down, then recovered and ran it back to mldfield for a first down! Halfback Joe Golding of the Bulldogs was one of the most decorated men in the service during the war. Won the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star and was commissioned an officer on the battlefield.

But who taught those Bulldogs jui-jitsu? Vince Ragunas of the Steelers did a fancy job on those football pools Saturday picked a sheet with eight winners. Mellon Horse Wins at Show HARRISBURG, Oct. 25 (Spe cial) Richard K. Mellon's Ermine Coat took first place among regular conformation hunters and lady conformation hunters yesterday at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show here. An other Rolling Rock entry, Passing Chance, won second place in the open green hunter class.

Maryland's Summer Breeze, of Four Oaks Farm, Butler, took first place in the junior fine harness horse class. Beau's Welcome Home, owned by, Frank G. Singer, Pittsburgh, placed second. Meanwhile, the Mexican Army jumping team won the International Low Score Challenge Trophy. The Chilean Army team was in second place, having been guilty of one more fault.

Canada was third and Eire fourth. students staged short demonstrations over reports that "man-made rain" had made a "soggy mess of the Louisiana State athletic field, where the Tigers handed North Carolina Its first defeat in 22 regular -season games. Tarheel Coach Carl Snavely declined comment today and Saturday night after the game, hut some officials were bitter about the "lack of sportsmanship." Fair for Both? LS.U. Athletic Director T. P.

Heard said Snavely hadn't protested to him. He said the field was as fair for one side as it was for the other. There was little fumbling, plenty of yardage gained and plenty of passes were completed," he said. Tiger Coach Gaynell Tinsley said of the field was too wet, "How come none of the North Carolina backs slipped and how come they completed 15 out of 22 passes and how come Charlie Justice averaged about 46 yards a punt?" 'Mechanical Shower A Baton Rouge newspaper's account of the game was what angered Tarheel students. The paper said in part "The Bengals, who have proved good mudders in two previous home games, were aided by a mechan-.