The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1961-09-29
SPORTS of TIMES
NOtre Dame
Outlook Good
BY LOU EABRO
Times Sports Editor

Bolstered by the prospect of a good season, the
Fighting Irish of Notre Dame open their 1861 foot
ball campaign this Saturday against archrival Okla
homa. Fans who aren't going out to see the highly
touted Ohio State Buckeyes launch their season will
be able to catch the Notre Dame game on television.
Although Notre Danes schedule again is we'll
studded with strong foes, the Irish appear headed to-
wards their best season since 1858 when they posted
a ga mark. If they do better, you can mark down the
1861 season as "very good"
BEFORE GoING ANY FURTHER, we'll insert this
observation. Last years preseason polls placed the
Irish in the top 20. Notre Dame, as you may recall,
staggered to a 28 record. The Irish, however, lost four
games by a single touchdown and another by one
point. So you can see they weren't exactly overwhelnn-
ed even though they did drop eight games.
While the glowing words we're being poured upon
that starcrossed 1860 Irish team, Coach Joe Kuharich
warned Notre Dame fans to "turn to your scrapbooks
and enjoy the glories of yesteryear." He also told all
concerned that "were at least a year away"
Well, that year he spoke of is here. While Joe
hasn't gone overheard on the current aggregation, he
also hasn't whipped out the "crying towel" In fact,
there's an unmistakable trace of optimism in his COM
mentS.
"THIs SEASON, THE SQUAD has the best balance
in three years. Joe declared. ut has more size, depth
and experience and is a little more intent and eager
to demonstrate its ability" At the same time, how
ever. he calls "ridiculous" charts which label Notre
Dame the favorite in six games and a tossup in the
other four.
'"This is the toughest schedule in Notre Dame
history he emphasized.
Now that we've allowed Joe his four downs,
let's take a quick look at the 1861 Irish and their
opponents.
IN THE PRESEASON POLL MADE by the Associ-
ated Press, its board of regional experts" placed
three Irish opponents - Iowa, Michigan State and
Syracuse in the nations top ten. Four others -
Duke, Southern California, Purdue and Navy were
listed in the runners-up class. So was Notre Dame:
Only Oklahoma, Northwestern and Pittsburgh failed
to impress the AP experts"
Judging from this poll, the Irish have their work
cut out for them.
Thanks to the biggest, best and healthiest crop
of returning lettermen In several years, Notre Dame
seems to have the "horses' to meet the challenges OF
their 1861 opponents.
There are "a lettermen. These are spread out
we'll enough to give the Irish at least two experienced
men for each position. Lettermen include tour enos'
four tackles, four guards, two %centers, two quarter
backs, five halfbackS and three fullbackS. -Ihls
naturally provides excellent insurance in the event of
injury - something that has weighed heavily upon the
Irish in recent years.
BoLsTERING THE VETERANS and evoking
quite a bit of interest is a fine crop of Sophomores.
Some of these rockies may nudge some experienced
hands aside before the season ends.
AS this is written, however, the starting back
field is composed of veterans. This means Daryl La
monica, 205pound junior at quarterback; George
Sefcik of Cleveland and Angelo Dabiero, both 5-8 and
ITO, at the halves; and Mike Lind, 1875, at fullback.
Pushing the above quartet are Frank Budka, loo-
pound sophomore quarterback who is outstanding IN
all departments; halfbacks Paul Costa, 23O, Charlie
OHara, 100, Frank Mink, 165, Ed Rutkowski, 1875, and
Tom Macdonald, 100; and fullbacks Jim Snowden, 235-
FOUNDER from Youngstown, Gerry Gray, 1876, and Dick
Naab, 100.
LES TRAvER, 100, OF TOLEDO, and John Pow
ers, 2O5, are listed as starting ends; ice Carollo, 2S5,
and Bob Bill, 230, are the tackles; Co-Captains Nick
Buoniconti, 21O, and Norb Roy, 215, are the starting
guards; and Tom Hecomovich, 215, is the center.
Some of those backing this lineup are ends Brian
Boulac, 1876, and Dennis Murphy, 200; tackles Roger
Wilke, 23O, and George Williams, 225; guards Ed
Burke, 24O, and Bob Lehman, 21O; and center Ed
Hoerster, 215.
Sizing up his squad, Kuharich said: 1--WE feel our
uuarterbacks are solid performers but we have aver
age receivers. Out line speed is below average. We
don't have any great performers"
AFTER ITS TELEVIsED OPENER WITH OKLA
HOMA, Notre Dame takes on the following on sue"
successive Saturdays: Purdue (Oct. q, Southern Cali
fornia (Oct. 1A, Michigan State (Oct. 21l Northwestern
(Oct. 28), Navy Nov. A, Pittsburgh Nov. ID, Syracuse
NOV. 18), Iowa Nov. 2) and Duke Dec. q. Home
games are Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Northwestern,
Navy and Syracuse.
GRID MENU Coffman Says:
FRIDAY Cot CaxrnLEo I