Evening star., 1938-12-07
Linemen Figure
Prominently as
|nterferers
5-Mon Line, Lateral
Fall Into Decline
In Snoppy Season
BY DREW MIDDLETON,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

NEW YORK, Dec. THE for
ward pass, footballs most spectacu-
lar play, fulfilled it's mission as a
sustained threat and regular
ground gamer, new stress was laid
on controlled" kicking to the side
lines and the once logy lineman ran
and blocked as never before These
were the principal trends noticed in
the 1888 season by coaches, scouts,
writer's and observers who partici-
pated in the annual Associated Press
poll
At the same time the five-man
line, the darling of the strategists a
year ago, fell into disuse in most
sectors, gaining most of its ad-
herents on the Pacific Coast. The
lateral pass also was less noticeable.
1t was considered too dangerous by
the majority of the coaches.
Only one sector stood firm against
the shower of leather that fell on
the Nations gridirons. The Big Ten
mentors noticed less forward passes.
with Minnesota, the champion:
Michigan. the heir apparent, and
Ohio State, long the home of foot
ball legerdemain. depending on their
running attacks to eat up the yard
age.
Each had passers of ability. But
the danger of an interception plus
the uncertainty of the weather
forced them to use the overland
route to the goal line.
Howard Jones Confounds Critics.
On the other hand. such rallying
points of gridiron conservatism as
New England and the Pacific Coast
! used the pass more than ever be-
fore. Howard Jones of Southern
California. once blamed for "horse
and buggy football" by Coast fa-
natics. employed it all season and
had the same fans shaking in their
seats at his teams gambling.
New England, New York and
Pennsylvania all noted increased
passing. with a notable overbalance
at Columbia where Sid Luckman's S
heaves were the only threat Cor
nell. Colgate and Syracuse each
produced fine passers. and the big
Red and the Orange built handsome
running attacks around them.
Gil Dobie. footballs arch right
list, turned to the air lanes at Bos-
ton College; Yale passed effectively.
| lone bright spot of dismal season,
and Harvard substituted the aerial
game for lack of an outstanding
"faker' for its intricate running
game.
The Southwest. as usual. produced
the best passing. Texas Christian
rode to the top of the Nations list
on Davey OBrien's passing and
running. Bullet Bill Patterson of
Baylor and Ernie Lain of Rice fur
nished most of their teams offensive
strength via their arms.
Upton Is Underrated.
The South produced Eric Tip
ton of Duke, greatly underrated
aerialist, and Parker Hall of Mis-
sissippi. Johnny Pingel, Michigan
States all-America. probably was
the best all-around passer in the
Midwest.
Controlled kicking toward the
sidelines and away from the safety
men reached an apex in Dukes
victory over Pitt when Upton punt
| ed a wet and soggy ball with the
precision and range of hoWitzer.
The trend was noticeable, too, in the
Northeast and Midwest.
Speed today is an essential part
of a guard or tackles equipment.
The introduction of time wasters'
in plays gave the linemen time to
pull out and run. The increased use
of the spinner and deep reverse
plays was directly traceable to the
ability of the linemen to get out
there.
The 5-man line was replaced by a
7 and 8 man setup in the Midwest
and East. The Pacific Coast, where
passing flourished, used the 5-man
formation. In the East. at least,
coaches found the formation too vul-
nerable to the thrusts of good
bucker.
Formations Lose Identity.
Offensive formations lost Their
identity The single and double
wing the Notre Dame and the short
(See FOOTBALL. Page D-2)