The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-11-29
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night. Mr. Dugans Dugan didn't
blink an eyelash.
%. X Pete" he said. standing
up. lets shake on IL
Even Laird was surprised al tho
ease with which he had accom-
plished the whole thing. he looked
az Dugan quizzically. gupped
ms hand and left without SAYING
word
That evening George Landers
bolted into the ever-crowded Delt
House hallway. walked Up to Anne
Humphreys and crushed her in his
arms. They were alone - the
room fun Of people was out Of
their world You're mine now.
darling" Lsnders said huskily.
She closed her eyes and pressed
her cheek against his Sorority
heads flew together as they
walked out arm in arm.
And Pete Laird lived in a world
of his own. too. Coaches and
players Stunned him at practice
but he was impervious to hostility.
He seemed TO relish the enforced
solitude. His football was beyond
reproach; if anything it was better
than ever.
Thirty-seven squad boys moved
to a hinterland country club FRI
day TO get away from University
Towns pre-game hustle Alumni
poured into the town for the
Northwestern game. A capacity
crowd was predicted. Press reser-
vations carried an imposing corner
on the sports writing fraternity.
And the magnet that drew them
was the magic name of Laird.
Pete roomed alone at the club
that night. the first time in three
years he had been separated from
Landers. OF all the players,
George had avoided him most
studiogsly. They hadn't talked for
days.
Game time Saturday brought
the same Tightening of the craw.
the giddiness and quickening of
the pulse Pete had experienced as
a sophomore. Trainer Artie Lewis
blackened his eyes with shadow TO
protect them from the sun. He
was trim. eager to get started.
Dugan scorned long locker room
TRADES. open up early" he di-
rected. Get these guys in a hole.
Reverses and spinners. George"
he nodded to Landers. "All right
on your feet-go to work."
A cacophony OF sound roared
in their ears as they logged out.
state! State! State" chanted the
crowd. Opening day at home and
the crowd was for them. North
western. brawny and capable,
came storming out on the field.
Obviously the opposing eleven was
hoped up for this game. Pitted
against the top team of the nation,
1t aimed to pull the upset of the
season.
Landers won the toss and elected
TO receive. The crowd was tense
as they lined UP. How good was
this bunch? AS good as the Cali
fornia score would indicate?
Pete Laird moved his legs,
keeping loose. Whistle - kickoff
and the ball spun out of bounds.
Northwestern was taking no
chances Of a runback. Their scouts
had warned them about that Cali
fornia game. States ball on their
own IS.
First play and Lsnders called
a tricky one. The ball came back
to Mike Tullio, fullback. Pete cut
behind him. Tullio shovel-passed
the ball and Pete set sail around
end. Joey Anderson had pulled
from his guard position to block.
Dan Holloway, the wing back. and
Landers were also clearing I'D
ahead Past the line of scrimmags
Pete tore, cutting back sharply to-
ward mid-field.
One of the Wildcats lunged al
him, but Laird shook him off. An
other crouched ahead. waiting for
him to feint But he plowed on,
BOWED over him and kept moving.
He was on the 80 now. one more
white jersey to get by He faxed
the Northwestern safety man out
OF position, cut sharply to the left
and turned on the steam. He was
away and over Forty-five Sec
onds had elapsed and State had
scored. The crowd screamed his
name as he touched the ball down
and trotted back to meet his team
mates.
Close Observers might have no.
tced that no State player rushed
up TO him and slapped him on the
back. There was no enthusiasm,
no show Of spirit. just a perfectly
calm football team doing a work.
manlike job.
And If the fans could have
listened in on the State huddle
when the men lined up before the
extra point. they would have
heard Pete Laird sneer: Lucky
thing for Northwestern I'm not in
shape and then look up at MS
teammates and laugh loudly. Too
loudly.
ITO Be ContinuedJ
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