Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • Page 88

THE ABILENE IF-TOtTE! mi 17-F New Brand of Ball at ACC By VERLE ENGLEBTH Reporter-News Sptrts Writer If the Abilene Christian College Wildcats are to have .1 successful year, the burden rests on the backs of some inexperienced 2L sophomores. Sophomore success, coupled with the winning tradition ofj 21 Coach Wally Bullington's cats, who are coming off a COU-JIL; pie of outstanding seasons, couldjaV make a world of difference in ACC's run for the roses in the Southland Conference in 1971. It's no secret around league that the Wildcats hurt via the graduation last year. And that unfortunate news, compared to national champion Arkansas State's WILDCATS TWO-DEEP OFFENSE TIGHT END Stan Wllllom! with mure of a 50-50 offensive punch running out of the pro offense. Opponents this yew won't be able to lay back and wait for the TMr 2M 'f ass even though they didn't 220, much success stopping RIGHT wjLindsey last year.

A fullhouse backfield spiced irjwith talented, experienced backs Lgytfeid, a ke ACC a real rock-solid TWM 0 1 4 'jrunning threat. lettermen and 17 starters returning from a club which rolled to an 11-0 reading could make for a team deciding to "wait until next year." However, that's not the case at ACC. Matter of fact, early indications show that to be the last thing the Wildcals are thinking. a quarterback Jim Lindsey, offensive right guard David Smalley, left guard Ronnie Tiner, left tackle Wayne m. Junior tailback Don Harr, a iu j.

leg.pound side-stepper who zivrolled for more than 1,000 yards irJiart season, returns to burn the Ron Lnuterbtjch, defenses. ennan And behind H31T is a top-flight I END IL; POUI Bininosiey, 220, squad. IWallace. At 5-11 and 170, Wai- WEAK LINEBACKER Leon Ewlnij.i, conini- is rWentivp 2or, Ken iL. a senior, is a aecepuve TAILBACK FULLBACK i 1 the NKky rL TACKLE cliff Morris, 200, ynner who lovps tn nlflv Jackie Ynrbrough, 225, wno luveb Ll 1 RIGHT squad: squad; BOD Lee, 2io, squad.

i Bullington is blessed with a lir of top-knotch fullbacks in "LEFT TACKLE sonny Movers, Jim Lee Williams and ju- lr sTR oNG hn ttrJKKER' Keivm nior Wolfgang Halbig. Keen, 205, 2L; Greg pntchord, 175, Williams stands 6-4 and 215 chip wnrcum, 200, and has been impressive in 1L; Jlmmv Lcverette, 195, squad. Qnr nrr a nrpsoasnn rlrillc ufrpr LEFT HALFBACK Jon Brown, spring ana preseason anus aner squad; cassey oarzo, 170, nee surgery last year. Halbig, STRONG SAFETY Alien wiison, 170, known to teammates as the squad; Richard Lepard, 185, squod. 1 any coach could ever hope to 2L; Jimmy Patterson, 185.

squad. Both are hard runners with Walton, right defensive tacklejspots and minus valuable expe-jthe know-how to get the job Jack Riser and left tackle Jacklrience at others. done. Stltes have all departed thej The Cats will go campus. But, that's neither here nor there.

For this is 1971 and a new SPLIT END RONNIE VINSON recovered from broken leg year. A new brand of ball. For starters, Bullington much of a balanced offensive attack this year after three years of Lindsey's aerial artist- good depth, though rough in ry. He rewrote not only the SLCi important preseason drills, has records, but national marks At wingback will be senior veil. SLC Looks Tougher With New Schools A quick glance at the return-jBullington as being probably the ng offensive roster tells Calmest improved Wildcat since ans it's not all that bad.

to ACC as a Offensively, there's a good nu- pruitt was a standout in cleus of power, experience 0 otball at Sidney. He's 5-10 and of the game. The; 175. Cats should put many points on Split end Ronnie Vinson, a aiiuuiu pui. yv.ma un (J1R enu ivuiillie Vllisuil, that rpmiirprl knifn inh he board once again, if not insure bet for the pros (barring L'n Dusiv nrurv 6' HID oenior uusiv uiuTy, o-.

he air. then via the infantry. I injury), returns for his senior Most coaches would be shak-l season, ng in their shoes thinking what! Bullington is the first to admit By VERLE ENGLERTH Reporter-News Sports Writer The Southland Conference, operating on a formula schedule for the purpose of bringing in a pair of new football members for the 1971 football season and championship play, a a tougher than ever before. New schools and new names for other SLC schools in addition to a nickname change make for a new and challenging year for all involved. Arkansas State University, winner of the past three league FORM CHART 1.

Arkansas State 2. Southwestern La. 3. Abilene Christian 4. Louisiana Tech 5.

Lamar University 6. Trinity University 7. UT-Arllngton last year in P. E. Shotwell Stadium and that game spelled the difference in the SLC ty dropping to sixth.

Everybody agrees it'll bo UT- championships, is again the pickjArlington again the cellar-dwell- of sports writers and sports information directors involved with the conference. ASU polled 49 points in the SIDs' voting with Southwestern Louisiana, a new member coming from the defunct Gulf er for 1971. Last year the Mavericks (formerly Rebels) went 0-10 on the season and 0-4 conference confrontations. I i a the top three teams, ASU, USL and ACC, appear stronger than ever but '70, lost a heartbreaker to ASU Jim Liridsey has departed the Wildcat camp, but Ron Lauterbach, a understudy proven replacement who can both run and pass with authority, is expected ton says th '71 to guide the Cats to another fine But, Halbig suffered a bruised kidney eight days ago in scrimmage and was forced to walk the sidelines for a couple of Nicky Pruitt described by WILDCAT TAILBACK DON HARR speedster con move, even in heovy troffie Stan Williams is back at tight end after having sat out much of last year with a shoulder injury as far as altitude," says a new member in Dusty Drury, 6-1 and 220. moves to the starting right the loss of a man of Lindsey's the defenses will be keying on' caliber would bring the nextVinson even though he'll proba- sirmger.

offensive tackle slot with David mentor, is concerned. Haynes, 195-pound freshmen 195, year. But, not Bullington. He's tor- enough to have jbly not catch as many aerials season with the new bal Al Barnes, a tough 220-pound senior, moves into right offen- ton. "Our attitude is great." Bullington looks to his 14 sen- the league along with Louisiana Tech.

iors for leadership and that's ani "Everybody knows Arkansas important aspect of the game is really loaded this year," this year as far as the headjdeclares Bullington. "They have great size and great experience 17 starters back." a fine young sophomore for the! Lind However, Bullington looks ati "If I were looking at weaknesses I'd say the thing He says jt appears Asu that jumps out real quick is looks like they are a shoe in expenence in both the offensive tne conference champion- Ithis as another plus factor a Vinson drawing double (andiL nliniilrl 1 1 -i quarterback slot. Ron Lauterbach, der and a bul1 of a man triple at Times) tura a have few rob em in steppinglage will enable other receivers and filling the legendary'to spring open. nQ exprlence At center it'll be Sonny Kenne- experience." indsey's shoes. I Backing Vinson up is sopho-i With the speedster Richard Wil-LjL, sparkplug at the wheel, from Gainesville, the a kicking TMTM season.

In addition, ACC lias a top group of returning gridderc Louisiana like everybody else, sees a good crop of returnees, but the move to the new conference will hurt them to a degree in the victory col- imn. Lack of experience at some key positions drops Trinity cc versity down the line in early! PP pickings. The Tigers will have a Cats will gojfastest Wildcat in camp. FINAL 1970 WILDCAT STATS doubles as However, David quarterback from Tyler Junior athletes playing ington, "but there's nothing like good game at way. Second place, Bullington adds, is wide open as far as he's con- The guards and tackles onj A strong kicking game is a of the line are posi-1 necessary component if the Cats 'are to battle for the flag and i says he's very pleased with his two punters in Jtions that could prove vulnerable, but hopefully inexperienced and semi-experienced starters ACC Opp.

ACC OPP coming from the aefunct win pear stronger than ever but strong backfield, but must count a Conference, runnerup the conference itself shapes up heavily on an inexperienced line with 41 points. The Abilene Christian College Wildcats of Coach Wally Bullington, according to the SIDs, look to a third place tie with Louisiana Tech another new positions. member also out of the GSC. However, on the basis reviews of every SLC team, this corner picks ACC to take third all alone and make a strong bid for second. Trinity is picked to finish fifth by the SIDs, but again we disagree and go with Lamar University (formerly Tech) with Trini- like a brick wall.

Every team in the league looks to be stronger with a goodly number of returning lettermen 'and experience at most The Big Red Machine of Arof kansas State conies off a perfect 11-0 mark in 1970 including a 38-21 Pecan Bowl victory. The Cajuns of Southwestern Louisiana have to be respected in that they have a large num ber of experienced lettermen back from a 9-2 squad. Abilene Christian, also 9-2 in Indians Riding 14-Game Streak JONESBORO, Ark. From i his reign as the man under, all indications it'll be a fourth! Biggest lost offensively i consecutive Southland rar ua ti 0n was flanker' Cnet ence championship in 1971 0 ulliit who snagged 48 aerials the Arkansas State Indians. jiast year.

Coach Bill Davidson's Tribe However, tight end Steve enters the new campaign ridingjLockhart (235) and split end a 14-game winning streak. Johnson (200) both re- have gone unbeaten in their turn or another year and should 19 encounters with only a tie fill the void adequately. Player Jim Lee William Ron Lauterbach David Wallace Nicky Pruitt Maurice Miller Richard Lepard Todd Walker ACC TOTALS marring the string. Their last defeat came at the hands of The Citadel, 14-10, in the second game of 1969. In SLC competition the Indians are riding a 10-game winning streak and a 13-game unbeaten mark.

The Tribe's last SLC loss was Offensively, in the backfield, it's also a rosy picture with the likes of Ail-American tailback Calvin Harrell (1,265 yards) and backup tailback Johnny Carr (597 yards) back to tear into defensive alignments. With such a strong backfield, to -A 1 i 16-14, the i Davidson will utilize for the first eighth game of 1967. Davidson sees 36 lettermen re- that Harrell and Carr will see turning to camp this year with 17 of those starters. Of the starters eight are offensive and nine defensive. Looking to maintain the pace Tribe brings back 15 senior let- tcrmen, seven sophomores.

juniors and 14 time a split backfield in order action at the same time. A couple of All-American offensive guards return in BUI Phillips (235) and Wayne Dorton (245). However, the Tribe has of an 11-0 record in 1970, the fine depth here and Phillips may be moved to a linebacker slot filliiig tins void left by the depart of Ail-American Gary Graduation last year took but Cleve. Jive starters off the impressive All-American Dennis Meyer, team. who intercepted 13 enemy pas- heavily on an inexperienced line coming through if they're to make any fireworks in the SLC this year.

The Cardinals of Lamar find themselves in the same boat at Trinity. They don't have enough really proven gridders, but overall their outlook is a bit brighter than that of the Tigers of the. Alamo City. Pure lack of experience will! really hurt UT-A in '71 despite! the fact they have a host ofi mioi returning personnel. They should I JTM have a little problem in better-OPP TOTALS ing their mark of '70 by a couple of games but it won't go far in this tough conference alignment.

Early indications are it'll take some major upsets to change the early polls; however, all involved know that's what it'll take and every week of action should be exciting and going to the wire in many instances. SLC SLATE SEPT. II McAPlurry at Abilene Christian Sam Houston State at Lamar University UT-Arlington at UT-EI Paso SEPT. ACC at Drake University Arkansas State nt Wichita State Lamar at west Texas State Louisiana Tech at Tampa University Texas Al at Trinity Southwestern Louisiana at Southeastern UT-A at Texas Christian University SEPT. 2S ACC at U.

of Nebraska (Omaha) NE La at ASU xLamar at La. Tech Trinity st Wichita state Santa Clara at Sw La. U. ot Toledo a) UT-A OCT. 2 Northern Colorado U.

at ACC Central Missouri Siate at Lamar xTrinily at SW La. La. Tech at McNecse State OCT. 5 ACC at Eastern New Mexico ASU at Southern Illinois U. Lamar at McNeese stale Trinily al Texas Lutheran xSW La.

at La Tech UT-A at West Texas State OCT. xASU at La. Tech xUT-A at SW. La. Lamar at Mississippi Slate Trinily at SE.

La. OCT. 23 xACC at ASU (Little Rock) xSW La. at Lamar U. ol Nortnern Arliona Trinity New Mexico State U.

at UT-A La. Tech al NW La. (Shreveport) xLamar at ACC xUT-A al Trinity xLa. at SE NE La. at SW La.

NOV. I xTrlnlty at Lamar xSW La. al ASU xACC at SC La. Bowling GreTM U. at UT-A La.

Tech at U. cf Tennesui TEAM Totil OlleniB Rush Pas; Yds. Avg. 3057 2937 till W.O 1980 1381 3361 30S.6 inning Plays Yfc. Avg.

iSl 2057 187.0 556 1980 180.0 Pissing Alt. Comp. Int. Yds. Avg.

413 215 2937 247.0 275 112 22 1381 126.5 INDIVIDUAL Tout Offense Rush Pass Total Avg. -S3 2707 2654 241.2 Ron Lauterbach PASSINO Alt Comp. 1 ..369 198 ge, is battling Kennedy for can come through and do thejTodd Walker and Paul Billing- kicking duties with his soccer-! job in '71. ftey. Bo are kicking the ball style booting I The physical ability is there, jhigh and long in practice ses- rr i rr tr, toto "but we don't really know Pat Holder Ronnie Vinson 40 3 0 1 0 ACC TOTALS 413 215 OPP TOTALS 27S 112 RECEIVING Player Ronnie Vinson ITO; 230 0 0 24 2937 22 13BI With Tiner gone at left offensive tackle, junior Bob Crockett, and 205, has been shifted 'but it's going to take mistakes and experience to they can do under pressure come around to be where we yet," says Bullington.

a guard. This is one of the want lo be," notes Bullington, The overall season, then, casts "jkey positions that may well an I hope by conference play I an exciting appeal with a lot of make' or break the running that we can be there." 5 game due to lack of necessary The obstacles to be overcome and a Wildcats are picked no stronger conference to contend with. It will, to say the least, be an Don Harr Jim Leo Williams Stan Williams Richard Williams Richard Lepard ",55 TOTALS OTALS ..156 23 ..189 I ..151 I 79 25 I 19 0 I -19 0 2057 2937 4994 454.1 I 13 ..215 2937 ..112 1311 7 a Holder V-jiTodd Walker 7 IACC TOTALS 0 0 1 OPP TOTALS 239 50 1914 9 2 2981 jigame experience. jbetter than a tie for third in the i i Another good battle is being'conference this year behind Ar- ojwaged for the starting left offen-ikansas State and year for ACC. Jisive tackle slot with senior Mikei ojUnger, 6-1, 215-pounds and 22Jnior Tommy Humphrey, the big-' gest man on the ACC roster atj 36.4 NO.

Yds. Avg. 6-7 and 255, contesting each oth- 1675 37.2 er appears 0 nave edge having some game expert-1 OPP TOTALS 9 8 0 1381 3361 Player Don Harr Jim Lee William David Wallace Ron Louterbach Nicky Pruitt Maurice Miller Richard Lepard Pat Holder Player i Don Harr iSonnv Kennedy Ronnie Vinson TC Yds. Avg. Pat Holder .182 1106 6.1 i David Wallace 72 404 5.6'Nicky Pruitt 38 119 5.0 i Jim Lee Williams 44 156 3.5 Ron Lauterbach 20 151 7.6 i Eddy Mendl 12 79 6.6 Robert Cain 5 25 5.c Wolfgarpg Halbig 10 19 1.9: Travis Home 2 -10 Lindsey 71 -53 Miller 456 2057 4.5 ACC TOTALS .556 1980 3.6 OPP TOTALS TD PATFG TP Hum nre 5' is i ...12 Yjigroomed also as the deep snapi 0 38 6 '9 0 0 6 1 0 6 0 0 4 1 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 i secondary should i Frogs Like Judy, Psttmon Defense 1 0 .51 40 .29 23 Davidson, who took over vhelses in 11 games in 1970, heads a head coaching reins after Ben-jstingy i secondary nie Ellender moved to returns intact, inherits not only a squad 1 In addition to Douthit, the but a winning tradilion as welLonly other big loss was the grad- Probably the top reluming Initiation of kicking specialist Bob- dian is three year leltcrmanjby Gentry who hit on 40 of 44 quarterback James Hamilton, extra points and 12 17 field holder of a dozen records durlngifioals.

od quarterbacks in the! A linebacker, rookie: Berry of SWC this year, is the main rea -'Odessa Permian and senior has son for TCU's high ranking McKmnon of Oklahoma share inside duties with sophomores ga) Nov. I) xTrlnlly at ACC xUT-A al xSouthtvn Mississippi U. tt La. Tech NW La. at SW La.

NOV. 19 McNeese Stale at SW La. NOV. xASU atlrlnlty xLamar at UT-A UT-A xASU at Lamar conferem QUARTERBACK RON LAUTERBACH big ihM to fill center on punts. 3sj Defensively, Bullington i si FORT WORTH It is defensejend, were both starters last "Ipretty well but again experi-jand Steve Judy for Texas Chris-jyear.

Tight ends Ronnie Peoples is not up to par in University this football sea- of Odessa and Lane Bowen of ijjsecond string alignment. 'son. Brownwood also drew some This combination and new: siartin assignments. i or of the best ever at ACC headed'coach Jim Pittman that is Barmore of Pasadena is a by senior right cornerback Eddyj Judy one of aie most talented another lelterman available 199'Mendl at 5-10, 170 and good.L. speed and experience.

Sophomore Jan Brown earned a starting berth pre season recaiters (fourth). from Mendl at left cornerback.r i -m, mores Jim McNiel of Fort He lacks the experience coming nold s. a11 wTM 3 f.Worth and Dale Ladner of Hous- off the squad, but he is fast, has: cor for hl asslng ils rat inexperienced backups, a good head and appears to be a 0rnne historv. 1 Giu 'y Whitman of Bay- quick learner. "'itown and converted tight end Another sophomore, Allen Wil-1 ITie fact that the Frogs have Frankje Grirnmett Snyderi son, gets the nod from Bulling-Changed to the wishbone and; (he leac ji receiver last year ton al strong safety with seniority won't be passing as mucrr are jn a duel for rovcr ot Travis Home back at his weak hasn't put any damper on the other area rid( i ers on the safety position with an for a successful season: include defensive back ance of game experience.

(under the former University of Davjd McGimjs of Snyd er, ju- The linebacking corps also assistant and Tulane head, niol jetterman; center Jackie experienced with top hands re- coach. i S0 phomore and defensive turning. Ihey are i Nathan junior) botn Senior Leon Ewing will be the expenence in Uie offensive lme- from As permont and sophomore first string weak linebacker and anli the depth in the starting ij ne ac er jjonald Watzl of Ros- senior Kelvin Keele will start as backfield with Judy. Instead, all strong linebacker. eyes are on the defensive unit Bu all b()i d()wn now Slated for duty at middle line- winch has size and ability.

wcl Judv and nis teammates backer is senior Phil Martin, a of the 34 lettermen, a(i ustL i 10 the expcriements in competitor despite being slx Barters are back on the of- ns(a i hbnne during relatively small at 205 pounds, fense ami seven on the defense, dn ant nmv well th ey Junior Steve Kicks is set at give both the offense and dc- rogressed during Sle SU mmer. anchor end and junior squad- fense equal experience. Pittman is willing (what bet- man Cliff Morris at riijhl defen- The Frogs have long had ex- tcr rcwal after years sive tackle. cellent individual talent, but has as in hc swc 0 be This is another key position been able to get it together. cnnle a fi t-yenr champion); that must come through for I he I''ans are hopeful Pittman can 11(i is rcady (having a great Cats with steady standout do this.

career but never being a win- Riser lost to graduation. He comes off an 8-1 season I and le a are ready Sonny Moyers, a 225-pound ju- and a 17-3 Liberty Bowl victory i a lare lnc SW nior, moves into a starling berth over Colorado and knows the i 1959 as t) le i as as (p a left defensive tackle having injured a knee last against Lamar Tech (now Uni- iexas coacn uaiTOii Koyal from readv versity) and having successfully Mississippi Stale to Washington surelv it will be an interest- recuperated from surgery. Texas before moving to Tu- ing with TCU attemntine Junior Chip Marcum rounds lam' in tn 0 dcfen5C ol! er high-octane out the defense al left end and Providing 1CL can get its offensive attacks in the SWC the 200-pounder proved he's a wishbone version (mixed with reliable man last year as a the I i working and the defense sophomore starter. comps through as Pittman wish- glTIDIS, UTA Bullington is really pleased es, the Frogs could be trouble with his quarterback'inK the anticipated favorites NCW mdjOTS lion. Texas, Arkansas and Texas Behind l.aulcrb,-,ch is fresh- Tech.

NEW YORK Two colleges man Clint I.ongley, a red-shirt lirhind Judy, tlie receivers liave boen elevated to University last year, who's developing a have drawn a great deal of Division status for good throwing arm and possess- praise. the 1971 football season. They p.s better than average coolness; Larry Speakc of Port Arthur are Temple University and Ihe when executing th? pro of tense. llethcrly of Fort Uimersity of Texas 'at think we're on the plus side Worth, rated one-two at split-' 011 berth over a an nows te i 1959 as le i as as after work it takes to be a winner, glory so now all that is ieft is year having followed University of OI tn Horned Frogs to be Uni- Texas coach Dairell Royal from readv.