SATURDAY. DECEMBER 2. 1961 • . * * * Engineer Have Rugged Defense By DEAN BILLICK Assistant Sports Editor The old question of which is more important, the offense or the defense, may receive a par tial answer Dec. 30 in the Gator Bowl when Georgia Tech and its "Wall of China" runs head-on into Penn State, one of the na-', tion's best offensive machines. Bobby Dodd's "Rambling Wrecks" have long been known for their rock-ribbed defensive play and this year has been no ex ception. In fact, the Engineers have been so stingy with touch downs that the opposition has crossed the goal line no more than once a game. Four teams have, failed to .get that far. Tech has limited its opposition to an average of just 4.8 points per game, allowing 43 points in nine games. Dodd's tough de fensive club shutout Florida, Bice, Duke and Tnlane and held USC and Auburn to a lone tally. Tennessee, Alabama and LSU each managed a touchdown and CHRISTMAS VACATION State College - Lewistown Bus Schedule Wednesday, Dec. 6 Leave Hotel State College: 11:15 A.M., 3:20 P.M., & 6:55 P.M. Thursday, Dec. 7 Leave Hotel State College: Ilfls A.M., 12:05 P.M., 3:20 P.M., 6:55 P.M. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 1962 BUSES WILL MEET ALL P.M. WESTBOUND TRAINS. —RESERVATIONS— CAN BE MADE BY PURCHASE OF TICKET AT HOTEL DESK (2nd Floor) BOALSBURG AUTO BUS LINE STAN GANN . . . directs Engineers * * * a field goal to hand Tech its only losses. But if statistics mean anything, the Engineers should have their hands full trying to hold off Rip Engle's explosive attack. The Lions have been among the top 10 in the country in total offense nearly all season and for the past six weeks haven't dropped below: seventh. This week State is sixth. Led most of the season by sec , and team All-East quarterback ,Galen Hall and third team All- East halfback Roger Kochman, State ripped-off 31 touchdowns to the opposition's 17, and ground out - 194 first downs to the enemy's 135. The Lions' offense gained 3,691 yards for an average. of 5.2 yards per play. It seems safe to bet, however, that State will find Tech the toughest team to run against this year. Dodd has the biggest line in the school's history and a linebacker that is rated fops in the Southeastern Conference. I He is Rufus Guthrie, a 6-1, 231- pound junior who has spent his Saturday afternoons wrecking the carefully planned attacks of the opposition. Dodd also has two other line- THE DAILY COLLEGIAN, UNIVERSITY PARK. PENNSYLVANIA backers who have been tabbed Isure-bets to make the all-con ference team. Dave Wats o n, a 211-pound junior, and Har old Ericksen, a 218-pound senior, give Tech one of the best guard corps in the country. In fact, the three are so good Dodd has called them "the top three guards on any team in the country." Although the Engineer tackles are no giants, they are rated the two quickest in the conference. Ed Griffin, 6-1, 214 pounds, starts at left tackle and Larry Stallings, 6-2, 217 pounds, is the right tackle. While Tech's defense has been drawing most of the praise, the offense hasn't been exactly sitting back on a rocking chair. The En gineers have tallied 140 points and have an excellent little half back in Billy Williamson. "The Little Injun" is only. 5-8, 161 pounds, but he's considered Tech's best runnel'. Williamson made the second team all-confer ence squad last year. He's rated as a tricky and very deceptive runner as well as an excellent pass receiver. The quarterbacking is handled by junior Stan Gann and sopho more Billy Lothridge.. Starter Gann is considered an elusive runner but a poor passer. One southern writer commented that Gann "looks great in victory and poor in defeat." Lothridge, on the other hand, can throw. He's considered dan gerous with the long aerial and is a hard runner. His inexperience has hurt him at times. He also kicks field goals. Tech is no stranger to bowl games. The Engineers have ap peared in 14 post-season bowls im , rna ,_ BOBBY DODD * * * * * * ==l -- • 4 - 4., •,,, • .• * * * and have a fantastic record of 11 : Bowl in 1953 and 1354. the Cot will's and 3 defeats. During Dodd'si ton Bowl. in 1955, the Sugar 17 years at Tech, the Engineers; Bowl in 1956 and the Gator have won eight of nine post sea-• Bowl in Dec. of 1956. Tech is the son howl games. only team to win six bowl games in six Six of -those eight wins were years . crammed into less than a six- The only loss during Dodd's year-period. Tech won in the regime was to _Arkansas, 14,7, Orange Bowl in 1952, the Sugar llast year. BALLINGER'S PET and HOBBY RAMA NOW OPEN! 104 W. BEAVER AVE. AD 8.0401 "If it Lives' and Breathes . .We can get itl AQUARIUMS MODEL Stop in ID SUPPLIES TRAINS and See •-ot. 7 Hampsters .40 HOBBY • Alligators KITS • GUPPIES • Chameleons 7c Hobby . Supplies BLACK For All Ages Monkeys MOLLIES • 27c 104 W. Beaver Mynah : OVER 200 OPEN 9 to 5:30 • VARIETIES MON. & FRI. Take Home of Fish 9 to 9 a Pet! BILLY LOTHIVDGE ... sophomore QB BILLY WILLIAMSON . . . top Tech halfback. * * PAGE ELEVEN . 3
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers