The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-27
Penn Figures To Acid Test Macy 1T Today
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(Reg. U. s. Pat. Off.) BY OSCAR FRALEY
Unlted Press sports WrlteF

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 New York, oct. 27-(UP)-Col, Earl (Red) Blaik's vaunted Army football team, today attained the new and perfectly fitting title of "speechless wonders"
 Were it not for West Points high academic standards, people almost might start wondering why the cadet gridders are held inconmunicado Collegiate football players who speak broken English and would have dif- ficulty maintaining a passing av- craze in junior high school are, of course, no novelty.
 But that can't be the case at the point-eveil though some people are casting aspersions to that effect, pointing out that after every season several of the gridiron stars are found" and invited to leave the academy because their grades won't stand inspection. Whatever the req son, Blaik from opening practice until seasons end refuses to allow his players to be interviewed or even talked to on the fly.
 A case in point occurred yesterday when the squad visited the Polo Grounds for a final warmup before the Duke game. With the field ankle deep in mud, the players were Stand- ing in the dressing room in little groups, shifting from one foot to the other, as Blaik talked to re- porters. Everything was dandy un- til one man wanted to talk to Blanchard.
 The Army squad was dispatched forthwith from the scene.
 "No interviews" Blaik said. This is not an individual game, it's team game and individuals are not iIn- portant"
 The "Speechless wonders" were swept out of the room in seconds, after standing idle for Q half hour.
 "It takes too much time," volun- teered Maj. Bill Hood, one of Hlaik's many aides. Why, we can't have those boys missing classes at the point just for interviews and we have so little practice time that we can't spare the time there, either"
 Major Hood had no explanation why the lads couldn't be talked to while they were idling away their time in the dressing room or why Navy and every other college in the land will permit It's boys to show that they really can speak English.
 You've got me there." he said.
 It was strictly Q case of an u1. wanted body. But the reason why the coaches should have to act aS interpreters for Q group of boys with supposedly high I. Q,'s remained 6 mystery. Something along the order of why Army alone had refused un. til the Duke game to divulge the ages of its players. The aSpersiorls prompted this disclosure in self dc. fense, with reports that some of the "hoys" were old enough to be grand. fathers.
 Whatever the reason for all this mystery, secrecy and gridiron guard. ianship, there's nothing that can be done about 1t. Biaik-currently-is in the collegiate saddle and he's handing out plenty of Jumps. Last year, for instance, he poured 1t on Notre Dame, 50-0, for the worst beating in Irish history; walloped Pitt, 67-7; battered Villanova, 83-0, and swamped Penn, 02-7. It's easy to see that Blaik didn't snap his suspenders trying to hold down the score--usually e gentlemans agree. ment among coaches in one-sided games.
 And don't think those coaches won't remember 1t in 8 few years when the football balance swings the other way. Then, mates, you will be able to count on the Cadets catch. Ing 6 few choice Jumps and, when that time comes, it's six, two and even that Biaik will be just e bit more cooperative.