Evening star., 1951-12-27
Tatunl May Start
ToStepUpPace
Players GrumbIe
About Night Drill
After Delayed Trip
By MerrelI Whittlesey
Stur Stoff Cofrespondent

|
BILOXI. Dec. 27.-Coach Jim
Tatum expected to learn this
afternoon whether Maryland
would get ready for it's Sugar
Bowl date with Tennessee through
routine practice or whether he
would have to crack the whip.
Tatum almost had to start the
whip cracking last night as the
squad grumbled a bit about prac-
ticing at 7:30 pm. after the
plane arrived here more than
i've hours behind schedule, due to
trouble with the fire alarm system
in New York. The plane was
quartered there before leaving for
Washington to pick up the Terps'
party of 81.
Nobody rebelled openly, but the
players were weary from return
ing to College Park on Christmas
night, tired of hanging around
National Airport waiting for the
plane. which didn't get away un-
I'll 2:2O pm, and then disap-
pointed over having to work out
under fioodlights when some
figured the late arrival would
mean one less practice.
Coaches Alarmed.
The coaching staff was alarmed
at the first few minutes of the
practice session when everybody
appeared dull. but before the 90
minutes were over some of the
boys responded.
A penetrating chill swept the
Biloxi High School field and the
boys finally had to hustle to keep
warm.
Northern weather followed the
team to its Sugar Bowl practice
site and 1t was still chilly as the
team returned to the high school
field for the first of it's two work.
outs today. 1t was clear overhead
but cold for the first time in
"SCAo' titc HdtlVeS SAID.
Rough Work to Start.
The rough work was to start
this afternoon and that's when
Tatum and his assistants will
know whether they will have to
step up the pace. or proceed on
schedule.
+ Maryland played three single
wing teams this. year, George
Washington, North Carolina and
North Carolina State. and the
Terps will resume practice on
single-wing defense as the first
order of business. Tennessee is
noted for its single-wing offense.
Tatum fretted throughout the
day yesterday as reports came in
OF his teams delay. but he broke
into a big grin when the plane
arrived at Kessler Field and he
could go to work.
The coaching staff was up at 6
o'clock this morning for a meet
ing at Z. Tatum's assistants
haven't seen him more than three
Or four times since the Terps'
regular season ended with the
West Virginia game on November
"a. Jim has been on the banquet
circuit talking and scouting.
Notes.-The reception commit
tee at the hotel included four
high-school youngsters seeking to
buy Sugar Bowl tickets at $40
each. They received little en-
couragement The hotel staff
was surprised at the few players
wives (six) in the party. Last
year 48 of the 81 Oklahoma play
ers were married
The Air Force Drum and Buele
Corps and drill team from Wash
Eington will fly here to take part
in the halftime show at the Sugar
BOWL game The four officials
assigned to the game will be work.
ing the Sugar Bowl for the first
time. w. r. Dukes and Bunny
Hackney, representing the South
ern Conference, and Marion Tai
ley and Jimmy Hitchcock, both
Auburn men, representing the
southwestern Kickoff time
for the Sugar Bowl will be las
p. m. here and 2::45 Washington
time, and again, it will be broad
(See TERPS. Page C-3.)