Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-08
q OF % BERTHS
ON VARSITY OPEN
Only 2 Followers From 81
First Team to Report
to Coach Layden.
BY FRANCIS !. POWERS.


Special Correspondent of The Star.
CHICAGO, Aug. 8.-Notre Danes
51st football team will present many
unfamiliar and new faces Speaking
of the Irish" prospects, Elmer Layden
says: Il hope we may start our second
half century creditably and that 81
will not be mistaken for my age next
November"
Notre Dame lost 81 Of the first SO
players who shouldered the burden
of the 6-2-l record last season. Spring
practice was unusually spirited for the
reason that 81 berths must be filled
when the "Irishp make their road
trips next fall Players were so evenly
matched in the spring drills that
Layden has made little choice.
Since Ed Beinor, left tackle, and Joe
Thesing, fullback, will be the only
holdovers of the 1887 first team, the
Irish naturally will be inexperienced
when Kansas is played in the opening
game. But what we will lack in ex-
perience We will partially make up in
fight and enthusiasm comments
Layden. The team is expected to be
better extensively than last season,
when only II touchdowns were made
in nine games, but the coaching staff
is dubious of its defensive strength.
Few Sophs to Figure.
Even with the necessity of so many
requirements. not many sophomores
will figure in Notre Danes games, at
least not early in the campaign. The
preSumptive sophomores who showed
best in spring practice are Tom GAL
lagher. at left tackle. and Pete Kelly,
at left guard. both of whom hail from
Chicago; Joe Bechtold. at right tackle:
Walter O'Meara. at quarter: Bob
Saggau. left half; Bob Leonard, full
back. and George Rauss, at left end.
Since it is improbable that Layden
will nominate any sophomores in his
starting lineup, his first team will be
selected from these players:
Left end-Earl Brown. who saw
service with the second team in 1887.
and Bill Kerr. who was on the third
wave. Left tackle-Ed Beinor, chosen
on several all-America teams, and
Frank Brew. a Junior.
Left guard-Capt. Jim McGoldrick
moves up to the first team. but will be
pushed by Joe De Franco. who was
hampered by injuries as sophomore.
Center-El Longhi and AL Mooney. a
transplanted fullback. and, on spring
performance. there is little to choose
between them.
Right guard-Gus Bossu is the only
returning squad man. but Chuck Riff
f1e, another made-over fullback, has
shown considerable aptitude for the
job
Right tackle-Paul Kell and Ted
Harvey. who made brief appearance
in 1887, Harvey may take over the
post and prove real star.
Right end-Johnny Kelly and Pete
ABBOTT. squad men, are the only strong
bidders.
Quarterba ck-no Andy Pupils in
sight. Bill Hofer held the position on
the third team in 1887, but may give
place to Emmett Grove. seventh Of the
brothers to make athletic history at
Notre Dame: Steve Sikot, a senior. or
OMeara. who has the markings of
good tactician.
Left half-Harry Stevenson, a fine
paSser and kicker. is the No. / man
for the berth, but Johnny Mcmahon
did some nice running in practice and
Little Ben Sheridan showed improve
ment. Saggau. the novice, is a triple
threaten and his versatility may count
in his favor.
Good Backs in Sight.
Right half-Layden goes down to
the third 1897 team here for Mike
Corgan. but Max Burnell. a senior,
will be on the field frequently. That is.
unless Louis zontini. shifted from left
half, proves capable at the new posi-
ton.
Fullback Joe Thesing. Motifs
Tonelli. Ed Simonich. Harold Gott-
sacker and Bing Binkowski have en-
tered bids. All are seasoned to varsity
play. but. off his showing last fall
Thesing has an edge.
Georgia Tech has replaced Pitts
bIrgh on the schedule, but the RAM
bling wreck is coming up in the game
and will be no soft touch. Otherwise
the schedule will present all the
trouble of last year and Notre Dame
will do we'll to equal the 1887 record