Evening star., 1940-11-26
lew Hockey Eagles Battle Hold Leagues Top Spot Debut Home Ice
The
SPORTLIGHT

OPORT
Minnesota Proves Its
MettIe Throughout
BY CRANTLAND RICE,
Special Correspondent of The Star.
NEW YORK, Nov. 26.-Minne-
sota's Norsemen accomplished
something more than making a clean
sweep. They hurdled one Of the
roughest assignments in football
that of getting ready for hard
game in September and then hold
ing this winning form through the
final game in November. Minnesota
had to be ready for Washington
and Nebraska in her two starting
contests. Washington and Nebraska
are among the stronger teams from
any sector.
Minnesota had terrific battle on
her hands through almost every
start. There was no spot for even
a brief recess. especially against
Washington, Nebraska, Northwest
ern, Ohio State and Michigan-and
later against Wisconsin. AS our
scouts have told us before, there
Is practically no difference in the
strength of Minnesota, Michigan
and Northwestern, all three excep-
tionally strong teams-the strongest
any single sector can show, with
something to spare.
But it was Minnesota which car
ried all the way through and over
looked nothing on the road to vic
played all year.
Only an exceptional team could
have turned in such a job.
Hormon and Grange ExceII
Each Other in Some Woys
They still are talking about the
comparative greatness Of Tommy
Harmon and Red Grange. Harmon
would outweigh Grange by 20
pounds-195 to ITS. Harmon is
faster on the straightaway than was
Grange. He also packs more driv-
ing power.
= The Wolverine is better kicker.
AS ball carrier he isn't as elusive
as the Galloping Ghost used to be,
once by the line of scrimmage.
Grange in the open was harder to
reach, one of the most elusive sWirls
of human flesh football ever has
known. They are about even as for
ward passers-both good, but neither
brilliant. Harmon is the better de-
fensive back, but this hardly is fair
judgment as Grange usually played
In the safety spot.
1t isn't easy to compare players
who worked Is pears apart. As Bob
Zuppke told me, There are many
fine football players. Only a few
have been what I call terrific. Grange
and Harmon both belong to this
class"
Southwest Sees Kimbrouqh
As EquoI Of Either
You can't make the unbounded
sweeps of the great Southwest be-
heve that either is better than big
John Kimbrough, the 225-pound
steamroller from Texas A. and M.
Kimbrough has final college test
to meet on Thursday against Texas.
He carries more ine-smashing power
than either. but he isn't as fast or
as dangerous in the open.
He Is a better defensive player
than either, although Harmon is
f1rst-class in this respect. Kim
brough is sure of another chance in
one Of the big bowls-probably the
Rose-while Harmon will play in
the Shriners' East-West game in
San Francisco. =,
Football crowds have proved this
fall that winning teams are not al
ways needed to lure out the popu-
lace. For example, both Cornell
and Pennsylvania had been beaten
yet they put on their show before
10000 spectators, with more than
10000 turned away.
Cornell and Penn easily could have
played to more than 100000. Ohio
State, beaten many times. drew more
than $4,000 against Michigan, with
Harmon the main card.
Harvard and Yale, with two spottv
seasons, fought before a crowd of
$1,000. I understand that Notre
Dame and Southern California, with
two Of their worst records, will ex-
hiblt their wares before more than
10000 In Los Angeles. Army and
Notre Dame, in spite of Army's
worst season. had their stands
packed with 10000
Those who believe pro football
ultimately will take away interest
from the college play might look
over these figures. The pros have
had a big year. They have deserved
their crowds. But they still are far
behind the college call.
Future Of College Football
Sofe From Pro Influence
There is no need to worry about
the future of college football as far
as public interest goes. When you
can look at such games as Boston
College and Georgetown, or Cornell
and Pennsylvania, you can't gain
any greater thrills.
In these two games the winners
scored Al points, the losers SO. The
spirit Of pro play has increased. But
the spirit Of college play is one of
It's finest features where underdogs
often make up physical deficits with
desperation.
The unbeaten are not the only
interesting exhibits this fall. The
stirring come-backs of Dartmouth
and Harvard belong to the book.
Blaik and Harlow had green ma
terial for their starting games. But
both finished with a rush, with two
teams capable of facing any type
OF competition.
In the same way North Carolina,