The Miami times. [volume] (Miami, Fla.) 1923-current, 1950-12-09
Rattlers Toppled
From Unbeaten
Rank
BY Herman Walton and
Elliott J. Pieze

Inc powerful rlOT1Ud "A dIlu M
College Rattlers, champions Of the
STAG, unbeaten but once tied up
to December 2, went down into
heart-breaking defeat at the hands
of the apparently more powerful
Wilberforce Green Wave by
close margin of Is to 2 in the
18th Annual Orange Blossom
Classic at Miami's famed Orange
Bowl Saturday night. A total Of
1887 fans paid the admission to
witness the much discussed con-
test.
The defeat toppled the Florida
Rattlers from the list Of the ma
tons unbeaten teams, and even
though it had no effect upon their
STAG championship, it did have
a very telling effect upon their
national collegiate football
standing.
Despite the fact that the statis-
tics of the game tell much diff
ferent story, the four time beaten
Green Wave, rated difinite
underdog, presented the specta-
tors with a corp of fast zig zagg-'
ing backs that at times made the
famous Rattlers look like sand
letters.
The Rattlers amassed a total of
10 first downs to 10 for the
Green Wave, the Florida boys
gained I'll yards rushing to only
112 for the visitors; Florida COM
pleted IA out of % passes at
tempted for a total of 1862 yards,
while the Green Wave completed
only S out of 10 attempts for 113
yards. Florida was set back a
total of 95 yards on penalties while
Wilberforce was tabled for 80.
Florida received the initial
kickoff, and after an exchange
of punts, the Rattlers moved
down to Wilberforce's yard line
where they were held for downs
in the shadows of the visitors
goal. The ball moved up and
down the field several times with
neither team being able to score
as the first quarter ended.
About midway in the second
period, Miami's Jasper Saunders
smashed through right tackle for
35 yards to set up what proved to
be Florida's only score of the
contest. Five plays later Oscar
Norman, Jacksonville, hit right
guard from the visitors l and
went over for the first tally of
the game, Norman also added the
point via placement.
Early in the third period, John
Underwood, fast Wilberforce end
blocked one of Norman's puntS
and Fred Lewis giant tackle, re-
covered for the Green Wave on
Florida's %. Six plays later half
back Sidney Parker passed to Lo-
rinzer Clark in the end zone for
the visitors first score. Adam
Scott added the point via place.
ment, tying the score.
Following the kickoff, Florida's
senior quarterback, Leroy Gro
martie threw a desperation pass
way out in the flat Right then
and there is where the game was
lost, because the Green Waves
fullback Bill Stewart, intercepted
the pass on the Rattlers 81 and
strutted very easily to the winn-
ing I'd of the game. The at
tempted conversion was missed,
leaving the score, Wherefore Is,
Florida z.
Following this score Coach
Jake Gathers Rattlers mustered
every effort at their command in
an attempt to even the count or
better still 60 ahead by one point,
but the stubborn Green Wave
seemed to have gotten more stub
born as the game progressed.
Several times as the contest grew
older, the Tallahassee boys STRAIT
ed what appeared to be the long
awaited drive, only to have it all
nullified by determined Wilber-
force defense.
Probably the greatest Individual
show of the game was Wilber-
forces halfback Walter Sellers,
who even though he did not fig
ure in the score, gave the large
crowd several great thrills with
his elusive end runs and Off
tackle SmasheS.
Shortly before the game ended
the Green Wave quarterback, Jas.
Montgomery gave the the Flori-
dianS another scare when he in
tercepted Rather pass and ran
Sc yards before being brought
down as the final whistle blew.
AS has been expected the Flor