The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-10-03
.ILLINI GRIDIRON
OUTLOOK BRIGHT
Last Years Champions
ship Backfield Returns
Intact.

tRBANA, Ill, oct illinois ap.
pears to have an exceptionally bright
phancc to rccapture the Western
conference football title for the third
consecutive year. Although handj-
capped by the graduation of four
llncsmcn. Coach Iuppke will retain
intact his famous backfield OF the
1919 championship eleven.
Robert p. Fletcher, who snatched
thc Ohio state game opt OF the fire
last year In the final seconds OF
play with u piece kick, and thus
virtually won the Big Ten by him
self, IL without n real rival for his
old job. Swedo Hollstrom. n flashy
athlete from the freshmen hggrega-
tion OF last year. is being Rroomed
as his understudy. q
Laurie Walqulst and Ralph
Fletcher. who have paired together
as halfbacks for two seasons, seem
destined to have another great year
ahead of them. Both have added
weight during the off season and
their playing is far better than ever.
John Snbo, an "I" man OF the 1918
team, has returned 10 school and
bids fiar 10 break I'm at halfback
during the year, M does Don Peden.
star Of last years freshmen.
Jack Crnnglc. tho powerful full
back OF last season. is sure OF n
berth. He IL rated M among the
best I'm tho west. Chris Larlmer.
also "A 1918 letter man, is n worthy
assistant to Cranglc.
Catain John Depler, second ALL
American selection for center, has
a fast sophomore working n gainst
him for regular berth IN Henry
Rcltsch, who has returned after
n years layoff. Reitsch is one OF
those husky rangy youngsters who
can break up most any play that
comes through the middle of the
line.
Carney and Reichle, last seasons
ends. are back. but n CROP OF clever
freshmen are keeping them working
NJ n lively clip to retain their places.
Dave Wllso. freshman haifback.
formerly basketball star Mt wash
ineton university. has been trying
his hand nj end and may yet force
Huppke to give him regular berth.
He In accurate In handling the for
ward pass. terrific Interference
smasher and In considered tho best
punter on the squad. Decpcl has also
created ~ fine impression on the
coaches and ts likely To gc "a chNnce.
The guards and tackles are caus-
ing the little mentor no end OF trou-
bile. Four men from the center OF
the line graduated last spring and
although there In a wealth OF ina
terial trying out Tor the positions.
none OF them compares favorabiy
with last seasons huskies. Al Mohr
and Milt Olander. who played some
or tho contests n year ago, VIII In all
likelihood play regularly at guard and
tackle respectively because of their
experience. a host OF freshmen
aud subs OF last year. headed by
Anderson, Middleton, Hughes and
Smith. "A former Naval Academy
athlete, who looks pretty fair. are
| putting up gruelling fights for Jobs.
tllirols followers predict that Zupp-
ko will round n line into shape be-
fore tho opening game with Drake on
October 0 and will bo satisfied with
nothing less than another flag
Zuppkc is not optimistic. however.
and will say nothing about the teams
chances.
The Tllini will again play seven
games. including six Big Ten bat
ties. the other with Drake. Iowa
opens the Conference season here
on October f6 I'm n game that may
In Il large measure determine the
ampionship, Iowa lost by mar
= w margin last year and with prac-
tically tho same aggregation back,
Coach Jones' men are much respect
ed in Urbana.