Evening star., 1941-08-22
BY HAROLD v. RATLIFF,

Associated Press SporLs Wrltef
DALLAS, Aug. 22.-Bulging with
veterans and with ample replace
ments for a possible dozen letter.
men lost to the Nations armed
forces, Southwest Conference foot
ball squads open training September
S on a highly optimistic note.
Typical of the forecasts is that Of
Matty Bell, headman of Southern
Methodist's aerial circus and dean
of conference coaches:
"I believe there will be record
crowds this season not only because
of the brand of play but because
the people will see football games
as a diversion from the darkening
international picture.
Generally speaking, I do not
think the teams will be greatly af-
fected unless the Nation should go
to war"
Four of the conference members
have been touched by the military,
with the University of Texas, Uni
versity of Arkansas and Rice In
stitute losing two or more players
each.
Texas Title Favorite.
Texas, with a wealth of material
that ranks the Longhorns as cham
pionship favorites, lost Centers j.
w. Goodwin and David Thayer and
End Jesse Hawthorne. Coach D.
x. Bible expects Funback r. l..
Harkins and Tackle Derwood Peveto
to go soon. But Texas still has the
outstanding squad. with such stars
as Pete Layden and Jack Grain, two
of the conferences finest backs.
Arkansas could find the situation
acute. Thus far the Razorbacks
have seen Harold Hamberg, the Ma
tion's busiest passer last season, de-
part for the United States Military
Academy and Ogden Bolin, scat
back, enroll in the Air Corps. Back
Jay Lawhon and squadman,
Tackle Albert Kopert, may go soon.
Their loss would be quite a blow as
Arkansas has a squad of only 38,
although it is sprinkled literally
with veterans.
Rice lost Marvin Dewoody, letter.
man end, to the Air Corps and End
Wendell Garrett is expected to join
the Army any day now, but Bob
Brumley, mighty fullback, was de-
ferred and the Rice squad is bulky
with fine material that will not be
touched by the draft.
Southern Methodist loses only E.
L. Keeton, veteran wingman, who is
in the Air Corps.
Aggies Are Untouched.
Texas A. and NJ, which tied
Southern Methodist for the title
last fall and won the Cotton Bowl
game from Fordham, will lose no
players. However, the Aggies had
nine of their starters depart via
the graduation route.
Baylor, ranked along with Rice
and S. M. U. as strong title con-
tenders, had only seven of its squad
register and none is expected to be
called before the season is under
way. Jack Wilson, one of the finest
backs in Baylor history, was de-
ferred because of an eye injury.
There was some concern over Jack
Russell, all-conference end, and
Odell Griffith, letterman guard. but
now it appears neither will be
drafted any time soon, if at all.
Texas Christian University has
lost only one prospect, A. J! Brum-
baugh, halfback, who volunteered
for the Naval Air Corps.
There is no movement on foot to
make freshmen eligible for the var
sity because there is no need in view
of the relatively small number
going or expected to go to the Army
and also because of the large fresh
man crop of last fall that insures
ample material.
The conference fathers discussed
the question of reducing prices for
men in uniform, but no action can
be taken now until the December
meeting. As things stand, most of
the stadiums are hard put to take
care of the regular customers.
tNext-Rocky Mountain Area.)