Evening star., 1950-09-23
Maryland Is Hoping for Rain;
Virginia Ia Points Over G. w.
By Froncis Stonn
Stoy Stoff Correspondent

ATHENS, Ca, Sept. 23.-The
University of Maryland today
opened what it hopes will be it!
greatest football season against 6
well-rated Georgia squad in one
of the Nations top curtain-rais-
ing attractions.
Jim Tatum. pessimistic coach
Of the Terrapins, fervently hoped
for rain, maintaining that q
muddy field and a slippery bal
would be a 1eveling factor.
I'm afraid the Georgia backs
can run too fast and throw toe
well for u.s." Tatum said.
Tatum viewed with no dismay
the rain and scattered clouds
through which his 43-man squad
few yesterday from Washington.
It was raining off and on when
Maryland's charter plane hit the
runway here, an arrival which
proved to be something of an
event to curious townsfolk. It
isn't often four-motor ship puts
in at Athens. The weather bureau,
however, could not promise suf-
f1cient rain to please Tatum.
10000 or More Expected.
A near-capacity crowd is ex-
pected to attend. 1t was indicated
that upward of 10000 seats al
ready had been sold and, if the
weather improves, today's game
may mark the fourth time that
Georgia's 50,000-seat stadium has
been filled. Twice the Bulldogs
drew capacity with Georgia Tech
and once with Alabama.
The outcome was rated a toss
up. Maryland has been building
up for three years and Coach
Wally Butts of Georgia repeatedly
has another good, big squad which
may win Butts fourth Southeast
ern Conference title. The two
schools met once before. playing
to 1920 tie in the 1948 Gator
Bowl game.
Twenty-six veterans of that
stalemate were scheduled to play
IA for Maryland and a dozen for
the Bulldogs. But each team also
is relying heavily on key sopho-
mores to deliver, and it may de-
velop the first year varsity players
may decide the issue.
Tatum was to have two sopho-
mores in his offensive backf1eld-
Quarterback Johnny Scarbath and
Fullback Ed Fullerton. He has
high hopes for this pair, but he
wishes they had more experience.
Last year we had two sopho-
mores in the backfield in Ed Mod
zelewski and Bob Shemonski," he
pointed out. "but they played
halfback. Sophomore halfbacks
aren't so likely to hurt a team
through mistakes as green
quarterback and fullback."
3 Passers in Same Backfield.
I'm scared of Wally's passers," ("
Tatum said in a pre-game state
ment. Hes got three passers in
the same backf1eld, one a left
handler. They're so good that
Butts is playing the spAt-T and
his quarterback, Nal Cook, is
carrying the ball for more yard
age than most of his regular run
ners."
The threat of Georgia's pass
ing attack is the chief reason why
Tatum belatedly abandoned the
idea Of using the veteran Johnny
1dzik as a quarterback and is
gambling on Scarbath. It'll need
1dzik where he's most valuable
which is on Defense" he ex-
planned.
All OF Maryland's players ap-
peared to be in top shape except
Ray Krouse. all-America tackle
candidate. The 248-pound Wash
1ngton product was to play, but
he is nursing a cold and, as Tatum
puts it, "he's bound to be short
winded. He hasn't worked out
Tor a week" Despite Krouse's
bulk, Georgia was the slightly
heavier team, averaging 215
pounds to 213 for Maryland. ac-
cordlng to announced figures.
victory Must" for Terps.
For Maryland a victory almost
amounts to must" The Terps
1nWardly feel, or at least hope, they
are destined for another bowl en-
gagement this coming New Years
Day-a bigger bowl than the
Gator, too. They have Navy to
face for the first time in Is years
a week from today, dedicating
their new Byrd Stadium, and the
week after Michigan State is the
foe.
If the Old Liners win all of
their first three games, or even
two OF 'em, they'll be bowl candi-
dates and almost certain of high
national ranking.
Today's game will be broadcast,
starting at 3 pm, Washington
time, over WWDC.