Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-11-02
WIN, LOSE OR
HNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
The Falcons BELONG

NEW YORK, NOV. 2-As pundit in the press box
aptly put it, the first Army Force football exhibition
was game phases and fumbes Once the Falcons had
struck for 60 lead the tide turned abruptly that it
looked like runaway for Army But there more
phase Air Force finished up like outfit that deserved
better than 1913 draw.
One thing is certain-Air Force belongs in the Big
Three of the service academies The whtecad Falcons
whose uniforms white only for few minutes in the
rain and mud at Yankee Stadium, were an exciting
smarty coached outfit and Ben Martin, old friend
whom the Naval Academy provided for the edgng school
from Colorado did masterfu job of coaching
True criticized in quarters when, after
Air Forces second touchdown, he elected to kick
pointer instead of going for two points and 43 victory
Apologize? Martin wasn't.
1--WE played to tie" Martin explained later, because
there still plenty of time left to win 90 minutes and
81 seconds And BESIDES haven't much luck with two
pointers this We shooting for the tie so
could get the game over at 1918"
1T WAS DIFFICULT to finger the so-caled "bg play"
The West Pointers fumbed four times leading to both Air
Force touchdowns On the other hand the Falcons were
penalized five times for illegal procedure Red Grange IN
the broadcasng BOOTH feel that at least
occasion the Falcons had ineligible receiver downed
Martin dssented in the dressing "The tilt of the
ball the snap from center was too great Ben snorted
obviously not in harmony with the illegal procedure ruling
The book says the ball should be tilted at not more than
45-degree angle We used capers and found the tilt 42
degrees. Those officials have sharp eyes,"
Actually, the kicking on both sides had bad days,
understandable in the rain and this major factor
Frank Blanda, who hadn't missed extra point all
(hed booted 10 out of 10) went aStray after Armys
second touchdown If Banda had preserved his streak it
would have been 14-6 and Martin would have had no
momentous decision in the final period.
GEORGE PUPICH THE NO. 2 left halfback Of the
Falcons disconsoate Pupich had shot at short
field goal the first quarter which would have sent of the
Falcons to 30 lead The ball veered to the right and
missed the goal posts
Pupich made good after Air Forces second touchdown
tying up but then he missed the big in the closing
seconds
These were some of the most exciting minutes in COL
ege football this year The Falcons obviously stronger than
the Cadets this point where they apparently
convinced $1,000 soggy spectators and the Army football
team they serious about trying field goal.
Rich Mayo, who is quite quarterback, kept his knee
off the ground he bent to take the for Pupich
kick Them after the kicker had faxed he and fired
pass to Left End Bob Brkey his favore target That
moved the ball to the 49,
Pupich, now kicking for real missed, the ball again
veering off to the right.
"IT WAS A TERRIBLE DAY." Pupich moaned after it
was over mo- my bad knee didn't have anything to do
with missing those kicks did everything the coaches told
me to . :. keep my head down. follow through.
II Just missed It was simple and as tragic
at that"
But it fitting way for Air Force to join Army and,
later Navy military football power The Falcons may
not have won but they put terrific show horrible
day. weatherwise.
New York. one-tme bastion of SPORTS loved it. The
since 1916, when Army and Nore Dame played to their
historic scoreless tie wonderful afternoon and
even the generals Army and Air Force, got as rain
drenched as the next bystander.