The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 21, 1953, Page Page Seven, Image 7
SPORTOMATIC
Tomorrow afternoon at 2 P.M., two desperate teams will
invade Carolina Stadium to participate in the annual "Big
,,Thursday" classic. Each, in its own realm of confidence,
virtually sure that they can walk off the field victorious.
However, it's not quite that simple. Carolina and Clemson,
bitter rivals since the beginning of the series in 1896, which
the Gamecocks won, 12-6, annually stage "the sporting event
of the year in South Carolina." Statistics seem to prove that
0 the underdog is in the favorable position to emerge victor,
but as anyone who has seen the contest knows, the unpre
dictable still prevails. When Clyde Bennett, Gene Wilson and
Nathan Gressette meet in midfield Thursday for the toss of
the coin, all past records regarding seasonal victories and
individual stars can be thrust aside. The Carolina-Clemson
game is where stars are born and past stars seem to become
mere members of an organization.
CAROLINA UNTRIED
In the event that past history is any criterion for a fair
prediction, the Gamecocks are scheduled to be disappointed.
However, if you are conscious of the first four ball games
1played by each team, it would- be more difficult to convince
a Carolina fan that this was going to be the result. Our
beloved Gameroosters have actually been untried in three
of their four contests to date, and it is rather hard to really
put your finger on the potency of their offense or defense.
In fact, it is almost as desirable for a team member to be on
the second team as the first since the subs have seen prac
tically as much action. In the final analysis, though, the
Gamecocks have led its followers to believe that they can
explode when the situation deems necessary, and if the situa
tion tomorrow doesn't qualify,.then blessed be those who
think on the contrary. The Tigers from way up in the hills
have not prospered quite as well this season as they have in
preceding times. Of course, much of their disappointment can
be attributed to their shifting over from the famed "Frank
Howard single wing" to the relatively new split "T." This is
not written to undersell the Tigers, because it was shown
against Maryland that they can hold their own in big league
competition.
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF COMPETITION
Let's take a bird's-eye view of the present Gamecock
and Clemson Tiger men that will undoubtedly aid each of
their causes tomorrow afternoon. First, the Clemson line
is monstrous. Nathan Gressette, the 6-2, 200-pound senior
ackle from St. Matthews, leads the big line that has played
fair under strong competition thus far. Gressette was a
regular on last season's defensive platoon and has possibly
been helped by the changeover to one platoon play. Also a
standout in the Clemson line is Dreher Gaskins, the 6-2, 225
pound giant end from Orangeburg. Gaskins is probably the
unluckiest man in South Carolina football today. Just in the
prime of his career in the hills, he broke hi's ankle and was
out for a season. This is only one of the major injuries hamp
ering his overall play, but he is not called one of the greatest
ends in the history of the school for his sideline ability, so
he will be seen plenty come "Big Thursday." The Clemson
backfield seems to be stronger than it was actually shown so
far this season. However, they have been crippled in the
absence of Don King, the talented quarterback from Ander
son. King has been injured most of the '53 season, but is
now back in his usual stride so he will be counted on heavily
to carry the brunt of the Tigers' offensive burdens. These
are only just a few of their major ball players but it does
give a fair representation of their strength.
GAMECOCK STANDOUTS
Now for the Gamecocks upholding their tradition and
pride of the Garnet and Black. Here we have a talented band
of men playing the brand of ball that we like to see them
play. For the past few years Carolina has beaten Clemson
but haven't in the least been potent enough to stir up any
favorable comment. Gamecock fans hope that this is the
season they have waited for, and believe you me the boys
will take the field tomorrow with the sole desire to uphold
these expectations, regardlessly. Johnny Gramling, senior
rguarterback from Orangeburg, and Carl Brazell, the home
'town Columbian showing Gamecock fans feats that seem in
conceivable, lead the array of talented backs. Brazell at this
Stime is third in the conference in rushing and Gramling is
first in the league in passing. Gene Wilson and Bill Wohrman,
who has been injured the last two games, round out the
backfield. In the line Frank Mincevich, better known as the
"Friendly Bear," Bob King, and ends Clyde Bennett and
Warren Clarke seem to have the necessary potency to with
stand almost any type of opposition.
Not hoping to put myself in the undesirable position of
hazardous prognostication, I, myself, in looking back over
the 1953 results up to this crucial point, would be dubious
about picking a definite winner tomorrow. However, in the
eipnt that some ruthless Clemson villain held me to my life
for a true prediction, I guess I would reluctantly, but strongly
exclaim, Carolina 20, Clemson 7. Mind you, this is absolutely
at the point of an equalizer with no alternative but to choose.
Regardlessly, the Gameroosters will claim title to the state
championship come Thursday afternoon, or I will have be
come a victim of sheer embarrassment and misconstrued
ideas.
MARYLAND TRIP
This column printed last week that Dean Jackson, dean
of the men here at the University, said the idea of giving
unexcused cuts to students desiring to see the Maryland
game as "ridiculous." It now comes to our attention that the
faculty committee got together with a hard-working student
council and OK'ed the proposal. We want to say, however,
before someone gets the wrong interpretation, that this
writer didn't mean that cuts wouldn't be given. He merely
meant that Dean Jackson was in opposition to the proposal.
I think the committee responsible for this move ought to be
congratulated and I only hope members of the studlent body
Cont. On Page 11
BIDDIES' POWER ... Picturec
stars and will play instrumental rol<
to be played before "Big Thursday,
is 8 P.M. in the stadium so why ni
Carolinam
Played T(
After a two-year layoff the
Carolina-Clemson freshman series
will be resumed tonight at Caro
lina Stadium. Game time is 8
P.M.
Biddie Coach Weems Baskin has
announced his intention to again
use two complete teams as he did
against Purman in the opener.
"We're in position to put out two
fairly even units," said Baskin,
"and we're trying to give as many
boys as possible a chance to play."
The first team will play the first
and third periods and the second
unit the second and fourth.
Three boys who saw consider
able action against Furman, end
Julius Derrick of Columbia, guard
Billy,Higgins of Georgetown, and
halfback Lowell Ohereskin of
Brooklyn, are on the injured list
and their play tonight will prob
ably be limited. Derrick normally
does the kicking off for the first
unit. Chereskin made the first
Tigers' '53
Freshmen
Are Potent
Clemson's baby Tigers this year
are almost as potent as the "white
lightnin' " that comes out of those
same hills. They opened their sea
son with a close 14-12 loss to Geor
gia Tech's highly rated frosh out
fit and theni clawed out a 26-'7
win over the PC first year men.
The -passing of quarterback
Charlie Bussey and the running of
left half Joel Wells of Columbia
are the top offensive weapons for
the Cubs. Btissey passed for the
two scores against Tech and Wells
racked up all four TD's in the PC
game, one on a pass from Bussey.
Right half Jim Coleman, the ver
satile star from Honea Path, adds
to the attack. Coleman played
quarterback in high school, wing
back from the single wing in the
Shrine Bowl, and now is playing
split-T halfback.
Billy Hudson, 235 pound, 6-3
giant from North Oharleston, is
playing right end after a prep
career at tackle. He is the third
of his family to play for Clemson.
The Cubs are coached by Banks
McFadden who won All-American
honors in football and basketball
at Clemson in the late thirties and
who also holds several state track
records.
Frosh Team
Comes, from
12 States
This year's freshman football
team represents 12 states and the
District of Columbia. South Caro
lina is called home by 16 Biddies,
and is followed by New York,
Pennsylvania, G;eorgia, and Mich
igan with four. North Carolina,
New Jersey, andl Illinois have
three representatives, West Vir
ginia two, and Ohio, Florida, Vir
ginia, and the District of Columi
bMa ach has ne.
I above is the bulk of the Gameco
es toward beating a strong Clemsoi
" in the last couple years. Heretol
3t motor out and watch two freshi
Clemson
)night In
By JAC
Staff R
score against Furman and a fum
ble recovery by Higgins set up
the second Biddie touchdown in
that game.
About the Clemson eleven Bas
kin remarked, "They should have
a very fine ball club. We're antiic
ipating quite a scramble." The
Cubs lost their opener to a highly
rated Georgia Tech frosh squad
14-12 and then beat PC's "B"
team 26-7.
Baskin was uncertain as to his
starting backfield. At quarter
back the choice is between Mackie
Prickett of St. Matthews and
Jerry Page of Lake View. "We're
well pleased with the passing,"
commented Baskin, "and particu
larly well pleased with the pass
protection our quarterbacks have
received."
The rest of the backfield will
find Jim Kaplinski of Jackson,
Mich. at fullback, E. L. Foster of
Charleston at left half, and either
Ralph Fasano of Brooklyn or Dick
Bartulski 4& Turtle Creek, Pa. at
Freshman
A Prevue 4
By PAUL
The Carolina-Clemson freshman
game is not always a prevue of
the outcome of the varsity game.
For example, in 1939, the fresh
men beat the Tiger Cubs 6-0, but
Clemson varsity came back to win
over the Gamecocks 27-0. In 1950,
the Clemson freshmen were given
a 40-20 whipping by the Carolina
team, but the varsity teams fought
to a 14-14 tie.
This was the year our present
senior stars, Johnny Gramling,
Bobby Drawdy and "Jeepers" Jeff
coat were playIng on the fresh
man team.
The freshman game with Clem
S. B. McM
Sporting
Phone 6224
Columbi
MARSHAL
"KNoWVN FOR (
1535 Main Street
Colu..nbk
ik Freshman football line. Each o
i team tonight in Carolina Stadiur
'ore Freshmen have been eligible
nan teams match strength.
Freshmai
Carolina
i BASS
eporter
right half. Kaplinski has been
particularly pleasing with hiq
outstanding blocking. With punter
Ron Jacobs mobed from fullbac
to left half on the second unit
Bartulski might get the nod over
Fasano because of his kicking
ability.
About his backs, Baskin stated,
"We don't have the speed I'd like
to have, but we have plenty of
hard runners."
In the line the starters will
probably be Rick Erickson of
Maplewood, N. J., described by
Baskin as "very good," at left
end, Derrick, if he's able to play
or else Billy Rivers of York at
right end. Rivers might do the
punting if he starts. At left
tackle will be Jack Salisbury of
Summerville or Rick Wagener of
Brackenridge, Pa. Wagener may
get the job if the Biddies kick off,
He will do the kicking if Derrick
is out. "Sanitary Sam" DeLuca
from Brooklyn will be at righi
tackle. Allen Rodgers of Atlanta,
Game Not
of Varsity
, HANKS
son has always been an event that
many people look forward to. Al
though it is not as illustrious as
the varsity game, it is indeed arl
exciting affair.
The last game with the Clem
son freshmen was in 1950. In 1951
and 1952 Carolina did not have a
freshman team, but they have a
very good one this year under the
leadership of Coach Baskins. The
frosh meet the Clemson freshman
team on October 21, Wednesday
night before the "Big Thursday
Classic." All players as well as
the whole student body wish for
a victory in both tihe freshman
and varsity games.
aster, Inc.
Goods
1231 Hampton
a, S.C.
L'S, INC.
OOD C LOT HES"
Phone 6120
f these men are potential Carolina
n. This is the first freshman game
for varsity competition. Gametime
i Contest
Stadium
Ga. will team with Corky Gaines
at the guards. Luke Beaseley is
the probable choice at center.
The number two unit will prob
ably be composed of Jacobs, Ervin
Bales from Rock Island, Ill. at
fullback, and Fasano or Bartuiski
and Prickett or Page to round out
the backfield. The line will prob
ably have Joe Frederick of Harris
burg, Ill. and Harvey Green of
Rome, Ga. at the ends, Tony Byars
from Pickens and either Wagener
or Salisbury at the tackles, Jerry
Davis, Atlanta, and Bill Floyd of
Greenville at the guards, and
Ronnie Hicks of Sarasota, Fla. at
center.
In addition to Jacobs moving to
left half, other shifts find Buddy
Frick of North switched from cen
ter to right end and Davis moved
over to guard from tackle.
In their last meeting, the Biddies
whipped the Cubs 40-20 in 1950
and also won the '48 and '49
games, the only other postwar
clashes.
Seen on ev
from MNE
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rage Seven
Two Birds
Mentioned
ForHonors
Two Gamecock halfbacks have
been mentioned this week as out
standing for their play in the
Furman game. Each week the
Associated Press picks a "Sopho
nore of the Week," and even
though these boys didn't win top
honors they were cited highly for
their offensive and defensive play.
Bill Walker, 18b-pound Mary
land end, and Bob Pascal, 190
pound Duke halfback tied for the
honors of first place. Both of
these men were highly instrumen
tal in their wins over Georgia and
Purdue.
Carl Brazell, the fleetfooted
halfback that played his high
school days at Dreher in Colum
bia, failed to score any touch
downs in Saturday's tussle with
Furman, but kicked two extra
points that keeps him in the run
ning for scoring honors in the
Conference. He is now in third
place after having been in the
number one position for the past
two weeks.
Mike Caskey, playing one of his
finest ballgames here at the Uni
versity against Furman last week,
gained recognition not only for his
offensive play, but also for his
defensive ability. He made numer
ous tackles throughout the game.
However, he excelled on offense
as he scored twice during the
afternoon. The first was a one
yard thrust on a handoff from
Granling, and the other was the
spectacular 64-yard punt return
in the fourth quarter. This was
the longest run of the day.
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