Evening star., 1939-01-02
DukeConfident
Despite0dds
Given SC.
Wade Believed Ready
To Spring Surprise
In Rose Bowl
By PAUL ZIMMERMAN,
Associated Press Sports Writer.

Associated Press Sports Writer.
PASADENA, Calf, Jan. 2-Duke,
the only team in "a years Of Rose
tournament football to enter the
classic with an unbeaten, united and
unscored upon record, found itself
in the strange position of the short
ender today when it went into the
Blossom Bowl against the Vests
Southern California.
Before a capacity crowd of 10000
spectators these sturdy Blue Devils
from Durham, N. c., were taking the
field in fair weather to prove their
record was no fluke and convince the
majority of the guessing guys they
we're wrong. (Kickoff time: 2:15
pm. Pacific standard time, 5:l5 pm,
Eastern standard time)
In their favor was the fact that
the team on the thin edge of the
odds has won all but one of the
games in the last five years. Added
to this was the edge of four victories
to two that the grid elevens from
the South hold over the Vests best
in the wars Of the roses.
Yet few but the partisans from
the South gave coach Wallace
Wade's team the nod.
Trojans Heavy Favorites.
Those men OF Troy who broke the
long victory string Of last years
Rose Bowl winner-California
then spoiled Notre Danes unbeaten
record. were 2-to-1 favorites to add
Dukes impressive scalp to their
collection.
Strong were the arguments in
favor Of Coach Howard Jones Tro-
jams. Because of superior reserve
strength Southern California was
granted An advantage presented by
warm weather. Every Trojan was
In prime physical condition while
Dukes great center and co-cap-
tain. Dan Hill. and its speedy back,
George McAfee, were questionable
quantities.
Those who liked the Trojans said
they had too much speed for the
Blue Devils: that their superior
size would wear down the oppo-
sition and their offensive ability
built around Granny Lansdell, Mic
key Anderson. Bill Sangster, Jack
Banta and the rest. would smash
that beautiful scoreless record.
Duke Surprise Expected.
All this talk startled the in
vaders. who doubted that Troy
could come up with a more diver
sified or better executed attack
than Pittsburgh: who thought
Southern California couldn't be
split-second faster than Syracuse.
and cherished the hope Coach Wade
had concocted a little offensive
surprise of his own.
They believed the wiley Wade,
who. like Coach Jones. has yet to
coach a team to defeat in the bowl
here, had surprise package in
store for the Western guardians.
This surprise probably would not
be built around co-Capt. Eric Tip
ton. whom Southern Californians
admit is about the best punter ever
to boot the ball down the Rose Bowl
turf. Some said it would be swift,
Triple threat George McAfee, the
southpaw, whose early-season foot
troubles kept him from being the
star every one back in the tobacco
plantation country thought he would
be when the season opened.
Each Team TO Get 100000.
The supposition that Duke, II 1t
did come up with offensive opera
tions not displayed to date, would
do 1t through the air. Critics Of
Troy have contended = barrage of
short passes would greatly disturb
their defense. Duke played for the
breaks through its regular season.
Then, too, the invaders held what
ever psychological advantage there
was, built from the day the game
was signed on remarks by other
than the host university belittling
the ability of the Blue Devils.
But regardless of which team
wins, the 100000 share of the net
gate receipts each will take away
from the contest should be sum-
cient to salve most of the wounds.
Probable starting lineups:
P9: s. Rukss; 30. California;
IF Ripar staTs -------------- stoeckeff
LG. johnson Smith