The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-12-20

CRAVATH HAS
 SPEED, POWER READY FOR VOLS

(This is the fifth of series of the New Years Day football bowl teams)
 By GENE FREEDMAN United Press Staff COrrespOndent) Los Angeles, Dec. 20.-(UP)-The professional mourners in the Coach es' Union" will want to suspend him for life, but genial Jeff Grav- ath of Southern California's Tro- jans is coming right out anyway and predicting that they'll win their New Years day Rose Bowl game with the Tennessee volunteers.
 Maybe it is because he has a her. itage to uphold because Southern California has won each of its seven previous Rose Bowl tests, and may be it is because he has deep-seat- ed faith in the 1944 Trojan team which finished it's season undefeat- ed though twice tied. Whatever the reason, Cravath isn't blind to the fact that the Trojans might be rid ing for a fall.
 Size Up
 We can afford to experiences no let down." he said. We can win. but we have no assurance of doing so. I think that in beating such teams as San Diego naval and St. Mary's pre-fligft that we overcame squads stronger than any Tennessee defeated. And that about sizes it up."
 Fans, who have watched the 1944 Trojan team in operation, have a feeling that Cravath is sending one of the potentially strongest of all Southern California squads into the Rose Bowl, one that got better with every game it played.
 Moulding an offensive from the '"T" formation, the backfield has striking power, although hampered at present by injuries and losses through naval transfers.
 Captain Jim Hardy, the quarter back who makes the ''T' click Is regarded as the mianspringofthe attack. A real triple threat, he adds to his passing, bunting and running ability, forte for doing the un- expected. He probably is the most unorthodox signal caller in the country. seldom dolng the conven- tional. He calls for such plays as pass on first down. punt on Sec- ond down or a running play on fourth down and though at times it has backfired, in the main it has paid dividends for the Trojans this year.
 The fullback, Duane Whitehead, is the defensive star working as the key blocked in the CT" and as a better than average blal carrier. currently, the halfback berths are manned by pair of freshmen, Don Burnside and Bob Morris, both track men with fetish for speed. In the quick-opening ''T'' plays they have been effective, though ham, pered by lack of experience in the intricate ball-handling required.
 The ends, Don Hardy and Jim Callahan are among the best on the coast, with only negligible yard- age gained around them on run- ming plays.
 Standout of the entire team is tackle John Fcrraro, 235-younder who made number of All-America teams. He was the real strength Of the Trojan line and the teams ln- spirational leader. His running mate, John Penar is a six-foot, sev- en-inch giant weighing 285 pounds, hampered a little by lack of eX- perience and inability to move his big frame speedily enough.
 The guards, Bud Curtis and Will lard Wall, have come along rapid ly after learning Cravath's system whichc calls for them to do the quick blocking for the backs.
 Experienced
 At the center post, Russ Antics, a converted fullback finds his previ- ous experience invaluable. In Cra- vath's system the center is down field blocker on offense and line packer on defense and Antics learned to do both jobs well in hurry. He is the tema's iron man, having played more time than any other squad member.
 Cravath has installed what he calls "a revolving series of de- lenses" in which he uses as many as eight different formations and often all are used in a single game. NEXT-Tennessee.