The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-09-15
fine BACKF|ELD
DUE TO CARRY
FORDHAM FAR
Rams, Usually Famous
For Lines, May Have
Weakness In Front
BY PAUL scHEFrELs

Omitted Press stan Correspondent
New York, Sept. l5s-.(Upl Its
almost seven years since the under
dog Michigan state Spartans upset
q highly regarded Fordham eleven
and clinohed Job on Rose Hil for
coach Jimmy Crowley, but today 1t
seems the 1899 edition Of the Rams
viii boast the best backfield In the
Crowley regime.
For synchronization, speed and
balance, the Spartan backfleld that
ran away with Major Cavanaugh's
Rams In 1882 at the Polo grounds
was the nearest thing to Notre
Danes famed -Four Horsemen that
have ever been seen hereahouts, The
old Horsemln has been looking for
one like Il ever since and this year
he thinks he has II,
II Steve KaEio, O left halfback for
two years, can become Just as good
o right halfback, his on.s problem
will be solved. He has iast.breaking
Len Eshmont and Jimmy Blumen.
stock for left halfbacks: Don Prin-
oipe for fullhack, and Captain Billy
Krywicki to handle the signal-call-
er's Job. These four men could break
into any mans backtield,
Reserve Backs Available
Adequate reserve support will be
given these first-stringers by Butch
Fortunate, Claude Pieculewica and
jim Noble, Quarterbacks; Ralph
Friedgen and Del Davis, fullbacks,
and Frank PeSsella, another strong
legged fullback.
But what about the Fordham linep
Last year, d .pite the absence Of Ave
Of the famous 1887 Seven Blocks
10 Granite" the Maroon forward
wall shut out the opposition In "a
out Of a periods In major games.
with Jimmy Hayes, right guard,
left % the sole chip on the "dran.
ites," there 10 o doubtful quality
about the Fordham line as q unit
that hasn't been present In the pre-
season appraisals OF Maroon lines
In recent years.
Bellwethers Of this years line win
be John HUMAN ct left tackle,
Lou DeFilippo over the ball, Hayes,
and Ray Riddiek, the right end.
Riddick, big fellow, who came
along fast last year, should have q
good solid season at right end, He
has the physical qualifications and
wants TO play.
DeFilippo Is set TO carry on the
tradition OF other famous Fordham
centers and Kuxman Is the fastest
lineman on the field. He was rated
one OF the best tackles In the land
last year although only q sophomore.
More Experience In Line
Six other returning lettermen, who
have played some good football and
will be In the running for frequent
assignments, are Alex Yudikaitis,
left end; Vincent Dennery, right
end; Joseph Ungerer, right tackle;
Peter Carlesimo, left guard; Marty
Petroskas, right guard, and Jimmy
Haggerty, center,
Haggerty will DO flrst relief man
for DeFtlippo, as he was last year.
Dennery started som eof last years
games at right end and will spell
Riddick, Tony poniatowski, O sopho.
more, Is also In the right end Aght
Carlesimo and Petroskas will have q
battle on their hands for the guard
posts from John Menapace and Joe
Lucas, juniors; and Tom Bennett,
George orandinette, Lawrence sar-
tori and Al semanek, sophomore.
The line material Is not lacking
In quantity, but left end, right tackle
and left guard present question
marks and thers Is q dubious tingle
In the matter OF reserve strength all
along the line. But II the forward
wall holds up, and with that back.
field, watch cut for the Rams" may
become more than Just O Rose Hill
slosan--it might become O threat,