The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-29
RICE TO BLEND
 SHIFTY SPEED
 AND PRECISION
Material Bulwarks Hopes for No. 1 Spot in
 Conference
BY ROY J. FORREST United Press Stan COrrespOndent)

 United Press Stan COrrespOndent) Houston, Tex.-CUP)-RIce In- stitute, featuring speed and spllt- second timing, will drive this fall for its first Southwest conference championship in four years-and expects to get 1t.
 Coach Jesse Nicely, in his second year here, has the material he wants in the backfield and at cen- ter and ends, but he probably will shuffle the squad at guards and tackles to get first-class outfit.
 The former Clemson coach was success last year in shifting players and pulled Rice out of the conference cellar and into third place.
 Nicely now fears only the Uni- versity of Texas and Southern Methodist University in his plans for another winner at Rice which opens the season here Oct. 4 for a week-by-week drive through Dec. 6.
 Nicely has a comparatively light backfield, but 1t has talent in everything except bunting. His line, although uncertain, should be big and good when he fashions it.
 End Joins Air Corps
 The draft passed up the Rice squad, but Marvin DeWoody, big first-string end, joined the army air corps.
 Other major losses were Fred Hartman, all conference tackle, and Ken Whitlow, center, by grad uation; Tom Posey, 270 pound tackle, scholastic failure, and T. A. WeemS, first string tailback who quit school.
 Fans expect the Rice backdeld to equal or excel anything in the con- ference, despite the lack of 2O0- pounder. Passing and running tal- ent will be abundant.
 Under Neely'S single wingback formations, the tailbacks do all the passing and bunting. Dick Dwelle, 185-pound junior, is his best passer and shifty ball carrier. J. c. Dickson, 190, will do the kicking, Gene Keele, 150, 8 junior, passes and runs well.
 Bob Brunley, 195-pound senior, will return to his fullback post. He was the leading scorer in the con- ference with 59 points last year. He will get support from Whitlock zander, 1855, senior, and Don Ste- phens, 18O, sophomore who was kept out of play by illness last sea- son.
 Stardom Seen for Brown The Rice coach believes Jen Brown, 175, blocking back, will tor his field in the conference this year Brown is a made-over guard, ouSt. . ing Jack Everett, 19O, in mid-seasor last year. Everett is returning along with Calvin McDougle, 190, and . Angus Smith, 1855. Bill Shelley, TO, a sophomore may get first call at wingback over Joe Price, 185-pound senior; Barron Ellis, 16O, and Jim Deal, 200, senior.
 Choices at end probably will be Ray Zimmerman, 195, junior, and Bob Tresch, 215, junior, with Wen dell Humble, 6-foot 5-inch, 255- pound sophomore, giving support.
 Verland Prichard has been shifted from end to tackle for his senior year. Billy Heard and Mitchell Sad- Ter, seniors, are first-string material but both have trick knees. Ted Brannon, a sophomore guard, has been shifted to tackle. Sophomore at Guard
 Guards probably will be George Armstrong, 1so, sophomore who was ineligible last year, and Arthur Go forth, 205, senior.
 Capt. Buck Sloan, 190, and Billy Blackburn, 215, sophomore, are ex- pected to give the line more strength at center. The schedule: Oct. 4-Sam Houston Teachers al Houston (night). Oct. 11-Tulane at Houston (night).
 oct. 1s-L. s. U. at Baton Rouge (night).
 Oct. 25-Texas at Austin. Nav. Centenary at Houston (night).
 Nov. s-Arkansas at Houston.
 Nov. 15-TexaS A. & M. at HouS' Nov. 22-T. 0. U. at Fort Worth.
 Nov. 29-Baylor at Houston.
 noc R-S M U. at Dallas.