Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-12
BIG lob IS AHEAD
OF GEORGIA TECH
Graduations and Quitting of
Lumpkin Have Left
Many Big Gaps.
BY EDDIE BRIETZ,

ATLANTA, Ga, September Like
the old gray mare of song and story,
George Techs famous Golden Tornado,
long ruler of the Southern Conference
rooSt and last year winner of the un-
official national championship, is not
what it used to be
Graduations plus greenbacks have
made plenty of grief for Coach Bill
Alexander. The entire right side of his
line is shot. His star fullback has left
school. Four quarterbacks graduated
and his all-American center is gone.
Add to this the fact that Alabama,
Tennessee and Florida are stronger and
more dangerous than ever and that such
mischief makers as Clemson and Tu-
lane are liable to toss monkey wrench
into the works any old time and you
can't figure Alexander and what is left
OF the Tech team anywhere but in
tough spot.
The following absent brothers were
toasted when the Tech lodge of sorrow
went into its opening huddle:
Pete Pund, all-America center.
Frank Speer, all-America tackle.
Father" Lumpkin, plunging full
back
Bob Durant, quarterback (and
three assistant Guarterbacks).
Frank Waddey, end.
Raleigh Drennon, guard.
Loss of Lumpkin a Blow.
Alexander can plug most of the holes
with tried and true reserves, but he
admits the untimely departure of Lump
kin, who was to have been the main
spring Of the 1929 Tornado, has left
him in a hole.
1t is no secret that Alexander had
planned to gamble with Lumpkin this
year.
He had built his entire offensive and
defensive system around the plunging
Texan and intended to shoot the works
on the big fellow.
When Lumpkin went to Portsmouth,
Ohio, presumably to join a professional
team, it was a hard blow to the Tech
coach. Alexander is reported to have
said that if it was customary for foot
ball teams to trade players like base
ball teams he would give Wallace Wade
tackle, end and two or three backs
for Tony Holm, the Alabama fullback.
New System Essential.
His job now is not only to find full
back from among three or four reserves.
but to work out brand-neW system of
play.
Alex has about made up his mind
| to run Bob Dunlap, a reserve back, at
| quarter. Warner MiZen and Stumpy
Thomason will take care of the halves
and one of the youngsters must do the
best he can at playing Lumpkin.
Strickland, Luna, Weatherford and
Fitzgerald, all juniors, are the best full
back prospects in camp.
The line problem is worrisome, but it
could be worse.
Tech has Capt. Harold Rusk ready to
step into Funds all-American shoes.
The left side of the line is formid-
able enough with Jones back at end
and Joe WeStbrook at guard. "Coot"
Watkins, an experienced reserve, will
play left tackle.
Alex has already begun the task of
repairing the right side by shifting big
Vance Maree, one of the Rose Bowl
heroes. from left to right tackle. Dickie,
sophomore, is being groomed for
Drennon'S old post at rightguard, and
Williams, another freshman graduate.
shows signs of being able to step into
Waddey's place at end
These last two youngsters, with Bray
don, f1ashy halfback, seem to be the
outstanding candidates coming up from
last years freshman team.