Evening star., 1949-12-03
Best Maryland Record
In History Capped
By 1870 Victory
By Burton Howkins
Star StaH Cerrsspendent

MIAMI, Fla. Dec. 3.-A tightly
knit defense. hampered at times
by a chugging offense which has
been inclined to stall, has pre-
sented Maryland's football team
with the finest record ever COM
piled in Terp grid history.
With its squeaky 1870 conquest
of Miami here last night before
a crowd of 1896. Maryland COM
pleted it's regular schedule with
eight victories and a lone de-
feat by one touchdown by highly
regarded Michigan State. That
mark shades the 8-1-1 perform
ance of Maryland's 1881 team
and the current crop will have
an opportunity to climax SPAR
king season with additional glory
in the Gator Bowl against Mis-
souri, at Jacksonville on Janu-
ary 2.
Coach Jim Tatum rewarded his
still shaky athletes with a two
day vacation from the rigors of
training before shepherding them
to College Park, Md. for a re-
sumption of practice in prepara-
tion for Missouri. Relaxation
could be a tonic for the Terps.
who were given a thorough fright
by the Hurricanes before scoring
a conclusive touchdown with less
than 3 minutes remaining.
Terps Awaken in Fourth.
Maryland's sluggish offense was
rescued by a brilliant defense,
with Tackle Ray Krouse, Guard
Bob Ward, Tackle Chet Gierula
and End Elmer Wingate sparkling
a unit which restricted Miami to
net loss of yards in the first
half. And it was Krouse and
Ward, inserted on offense late
in the fourth period. who created
the holes necessary to provide
Maryland with vitality needed in
surance in the form of second
touchdown.
The Terps opened the game as
If they would chase the Hurri-
canes from the Orange Bowl. The
first time they handled the ball
they swept 73 yards on 13 plays
without benefit Of completed
pass. Joe Tucker capped that
drive by sprinting around left end,
taking a handoff and dashing
into the end zone. Bob Deans
wide attempt for the extra point
seemed of minor Importance at
the time, but as the game aged 1t
loomed as likely to whip the
Terps.
Miami woke up in the third
period and marched from its 20
to Maryland's 10 before Vern
Seibert intercepted Jack Hacketts
fourth down pass in the end zone.
During that drive, the Terps
resembled q demoralized team
ready to become an upset victim.
Modxelewski Gets Across.
Maryland hung on. recovered
from that siege Of jitters and
surged to the clinching score after
launching 4 march from its -.
Earl Roth reeled of a 15-yard
gain and Stan Lavine and Ed
Modzelewski collaborated in a 23-
yard advance on a fancy lateral
play to move to Miami's 8.
Buck Farley, Lavine and Mod
zelewski moved to the 4, and on
the fourth down Lavine pitched
a short pass to Modzelewski in
the fiat and he romped across un-
touched. Dean converted to seal
the Maryland victory.
Miami didn't penetrate Mary
land territory until after 10 min
utes of the third period had
elapsed and until that point had
seemed a club which couldn't hope
to cope with the Terps' deter
mined defense. But a brace Of
passes covered 26 yards and short
sprints knitted of more yardage
as the Hurricanes carried to
Maryland's 10 and threatened to
carry of the decision.
It was q startling sort Of come
back for q team which didn't ac-
cumulate q first down in the first
half, but Maryland braced to sur
vive that onslaught and construct
ed its second touchdown In the
waning moments.
Tatum traced the Terps' shaki-
ness to his quarterbacks' reluct-
ance to gamble after taking 60
lead. :. But that lead enabled me
to rest Krouse and Ward on Of
fense q bit," said Jim. When
we needed them on offense In the
fourth period they were fresh and
shook loose our backs.
Among press box observers was
Golf Pro Lew Worsham and also
watching the game was Maj. Gen.
Bob Neyland, who spent consider
able time with Tatum. 80. Miami's
100-piece Illuminated band, %
Mexican hat dancers and q we'll
drilled cheering section neatly