Green Bay Packers (1-2) 19, Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) 7
Sunday October 13th 1946 (at Philadelphia)
GAME RECAP (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE)
(PHILADELPHIA) - With Gunner Ted Fritsch pulling the trigger the Green Bay Packers football squadron threw up a tight defensive smoke screen and then shot down the Philadelphia Eagles, 19-7, before a sellout gathering of 40,000 fans here Sunday afternoon. Tasty Ted, the best in the NFL last year, scored all but two points as the Big Bays pulverized this heralded Eagle machine for the 10th straight league time since 1933. And they did it the hard way, overcoming a 7-0 deficit with seconds left in the first half to knot the count. Fritsch again helped when he batted the ball out of halfback Steve Van Buren's hands and Capt. Charley Brock recovered it set up the second touchdown in the third quarter. Up to this time it was all Fritsch who made both TD's and kicked the PAT's but the kid from Central State Teachers really came into his own midway in the third quarter when he stepped back on the 47 and split the crossbar with a marvelous boot. The Bays started to smell victory for the first time this season as the game neared its close, and pushed the Eagles back half the field when the Bay line smeared Thompson in the end zone for a safety. Tackle Urban Odson got credit for the two points as the official scorer spotted him as making the tackle.
PACKER LINE OUTSTANDING
The 220-pound Packer wall was the big factor in this struggle. It outcharged the Eagles forward
movement and was rewarded by getting into the scoring column by virtue of pushing Philly into its end zone for a safety. No one man can be singled out as the wall worked together beautifully on offense and defense. Sunday's game was something of an opposite of the Packer-Eagle exhibition earlier this year which the Phils won, 7-6, statistically and otherwise. The Eagles outgained the Bays, 236 yards to 134, and had the edge in running, 30 to 25, and in passing, 204 to 99. The Eagle outfirstdowned us, 14-8. But the Packers were alert and that's what paid off in this contest. They intercepted three passes and recovered three of the Eagles' nine fumbles. They were playing the ball all afternoon and many times had possession after the whistle had blown. The Packers made the first first down of the game on a 16-yard pass from Irv Comp to Clyde Goodnight, but two passes and a run failed and McKay kicked, a beauty that landed on the Eagle two from where Pritchard carried to the 11. On the first play the Packers, with Paul Lipscomb making the tackle, smeared Van Buren back to the six and things looked good for the Bays. But hang on. Zimmerman pegged to Van Buren for 33 yards, Van Buren ran 23 and four plays later the Eagles were on the Packer nine. Then Niel Bleeker made seven in two tries but the home club was offside. It didn't make much difference, though, as Van Buren crashed over four or five Bays made a first down to score. Lio's kick was good. Until the waning seconds of the half, when the Packers tied the count, there was a weird concoction of football that included a blocked punt, oodles of penalties, errors and bright spots. On the next kickoff, for instance, the Bays made a first down on a 17-yard Comp to Goodnight pass and then were forced to punt.
WILDUNG RECOVERS FUMBLE
McKay booted 51 yards but receiver Van Buren fumbled and Wildung recovered on the Eagle 30. On the first play of the next series, the Packers were nicked 15 yards for clipping but a moment later they made a firster when interference was called as Tony Canadeo tried to catch a pass on the Eagle 37. The Packers, however, couldn't do much further what with another penalty so McKay punted and that guy Kilroy, a tackle, was there to block it on the Packer 37. The show was quiet until early in the second frame when Gatewood partially blocked Lio's field goal attempt from the 36 and Rohrig took the ball and ran to the Eagle 22. The attack stalled and McKay punted but the Eagles were guilty of rushing the kicker, giving the Bays a first down on the Packer 26. Comp completed a 13-yarder but things were again bottled up making way for two punt exchanges. The Packers started their touchdown drive on their own 47. Rohrig wheeled off to the right and pegged to Luhn but missed on the same play that scored against the Rams last week. Comp then went to his right, couldn't find a receiver, and then pegged into Rohrig standing about five yards away. Herman ripped 21 yards to the Eagle 33. With one minute left, the Packers failed on three straight passes. Then Arkansas Bob Forte took over. He went to his right, looked as if he intended to pass and then raced away to the other end of the field and down to the Eagle 13 for 20 yards and a first down with 30 seconds left.
FRITSCH GOES OVER
Comp pegged one incompletion and then tossed to Forte for no gain. Then it happened. Forte stepped back, threw to Fritsch in the flat. The 1945 fullback best literally roared over, brushing aide Van Buren in the process. There were nine seconds left and Fritsch's kick was good, tying the score. The Packers got two lives early in the third period and they cashed in on the second for a touchdown. The first came when Fritsch intercepted Zimmerman's pass on the Packer 41 and ran to the Eagles' 43. There the attack was stopped and McKay then booted neatly out of bounds on the Eagle 7. On the first Eagle play through the middle Fritsch batted the ball out of Van Buren's hands and ran around to the 13. Canadeo slashed right end for three and then Fritsch, with power to burn, was stopped momentarily on the five. He wheeled around and went over standing up. Ted's kick was perfect and "we" lead 14-7. A moment later the Packers had another chance to score but failed. Craig recovered Craft's fumble on the Eagle 31, and then Fritsch hit left tackle for seven. Nussbaumer tossed to Canadeo for 10 and a first down on the 15. On third down, Zimmerman intercepted Canadeo's pass on the five and Craig finally brought him down on the 30. The Eagles, after making two first downs, put the Packers in a hole with an out of bounds punt to the six. But McKay, standing in the end zone, punted 58 yards to the Eagle 36 to put the Eagles back. But not for long. The Eagles made 16 yards just before the end of the third quarter and then in four plays drove to the Packers three. Meeker slipped over for the score bu t the Eagles were holding all along the line. This maed it first down again but back on the 16. And the Packer defense went to work. Craig flopped Steinke for a five-yard loss, but then Humbert made a wild one-handed catch of a Thompson pass, Canadeo bringing him down on the five. Steinke then drove to the two where Brock cut him down. On fourth down the whole right side of the Packers line was ready when Bleeker fumbled and recovered for a loss of 11 yards back to the 13. McKay quickly punted and on the first play Nussbaumer cut down any Eagle threat by intercepting Thompson's pass, giving the Packers the ball on the Eagle 43. The Eagles stiffened and this set the stage for Fritsch's next three points, a perfect field goal from the 47, and the score was 17-7. The Eagles started another drive and this time Nussbaumer was around again, intercepting a pass to give the Packers position on their own 40. McKay finally punted and it wasn't long until the Packers had two more points as penalties and an aggressive Packer line pushed the Eagles back to the two. Thompson tried a pass and the whole Packer line rushed in, putting him down in the end zone for a safety. In three more plays, the game was over
GREEN BAY - 0 7 7 5 - 19
PHILADELPHIA - 7 0 0 0 - 7
SCORING
1ST - PHIL - Steve Van Buren, 7-yard run (Augie Lio kick) PHILADELPHIA 7-0
2ND - GB - Ted Fritsch, 12-yard pass from Bob Forte (Fritsch kick) TIED 7-7
3RD - GB - Fritsch, 10-yard run (Fritsch kick) GREEN BAY 14-7
4TH - GB - Fritsch, 46-yard field goal GREEN BAY 17-7
4TH - GB - Safety, Tommy Thompson tackled in the end zone by Urban Odson GREEN BAY 19-7
PACKERS HAVE TOP TEAM IN LEAGUE, VIEW
OCT 14 (En Route to Green Bay) - Curly Lambeau is convinced more than ever that he has the best club in the NFL and so are Walt Kiesling, Don Hutson and the players. In the opinion of Lambeau, Sunday's game proved that "the Packers are capable of playing better ball than any club in the league. We made mistakes but there were just enough times when we didn't to convince that the Packers that they can beat anybody, anytime." Sure sounds like pretty strong talk, but the big coach meant it, and the players, themselves, have caught fire, started by this one victory plus that heartbreaker to the Rams a week ago. What produced that win over the Eagles? "Give the credit to our line," said Lambeau. They rushed the Eagles off their feet and late in the last quarter shoved then back nearly half the field for that safety. Lambeau wasn't anxious to praise anybody in particular in the line because they all did "wonderful". In the backfield, Ted Fritsch was absolutely brilliant because when he was close to the goal line the kid with the crew haircut was murder. In Fritsch's first TD Van Buren bounced off Ted like he hit a tank and in TD No. 2 the Packer fullback showed that he can be coy by rolling out of the arms of two Eagles after taking a pass. Then the 47-yard field goal, that was something else. The rest of the Packer backfield was pretty on Sunday. And what a disappointment it provided for the customers as it outshone Van Buren, Pritchard and Zimmerman, the grid darlings of Philly...Accidentally, probably the chestiest, in a good natured way, Packer Sunday night was Bob Nussbaumer, right half, who tossed his first pro pass quite by accident. It happened shortly after Larry Craig recovered Craft's fumble on the Eagle 25. Canadeo, who was calling the plays yelling out a number on which the right half tosses to the left half. Canadeo was under the impression that Rohrig or
Forte was the right half who pass from that position while "Nuss" does not. Canadeo had sworn that Nussbaumer just went out (that free substitution again). Anyway, Nussbaumer got the ball and threw straight as a die to Canadeo for a first down. Percentage 1.000... A short guy, Walt Schlinkman, one of the Packers' Mr. Five by Five fullbacks, got mad at the officials during the game when the ref yelled out "short man in motion" which gave the Bays a penalty. Said Walt "Waddya mean, I was in motion". Said the ref: "Short man in motion". Then came the dawn. The 'short man" was the guy closest the line of scrimmage who was not Schlinkman...HARD LUCK: As a team the Packers didn't have any hard luck, but there is one Packer who did in my opinion although the players concerned just laughs about it. He is Texas Roy McKay who has been doing all the punting. Roy punted 10 times and averaged 42 yards per try despite the fact that one was blocked. His average would have been nearly 50 yards if it hadn't been for that blocked punt. McKay led the league in 1945 and was tops the first two weeks of this season...Strong man "Big" Edward Neal showed in the last three minutes that his enormous strength can be used to great advantage. He spearheaded the attack that knocked Philly back half the field and into the end zone for a safety. The Packer line was like a giant arrow with Neal at the peak. Here's an example of his strength. Neal can throw the ball from one end of the field to the other with just a simple flock of his wrist...SHORT STUFF: The crowd was definitely all for the Eagles, but there were several staunch yellers from back home on hand. They included Pat McGoldrick, John Maloney, Jim Ford and Bill Servotte, all of Green Bay; Howie Baker of Marinette, now a resident of Philly; and Leo Disend, ex-Packer who is teaching high school English out here. Besides there were lots of player relatives. Police Chief Tubby Bero, who went along to check the gate, still has his record intact, that of seeing the Packers win every time he accompanies the team east. Lambeau said, "Tubby, you're hired."...This was the first league game Bill Lee and Russ Letlow had helped win since 1942, Uncle Sam keeping them away in 1943, 1944 and 1945...Eagle officials said it was the largest crowd ever to see a league game here. The weather was clear and cool as predicted. It rained cats and dogs Saturday night. League Commissioner Bert Bell was present and gave us his views on last Sunday's Packer-Ram argument but that's another story.
THE STEELERS ARE OKAY
OCT 15 (Pittsburgh) - The Steelers were not at their best in defeating the Boston team here Sunday and it was the weakness of the visitors as much as the strength of the locals that allowed the latter to win their second victory of the season against one defeat and one tie. The Steelers could not get "up" for the Boston game either because of the previous tests they had been through against three strong ball clubs or because they just suffered one of those unaccountable letdowns that strike the best of ball clubs from time to time. Counting the visitor's weaknesses the Steelers ought to have rolled up a couple of more touchdowns. The locals also, with what seemed like an adequate lead, insisted on taking chances here and there - once on a first down forward and again on a lateral which could have caused real damage if the Bostonians had not been so inadequate. On the positive side, the Steelers, led as usual by Bill Dudley, played championship ball during that second period which gave them their precious 16 points, but to go through three scoreless periods against the relatively weak Boston club indicated to Dr. Sutherland the way ahead is going to be tougher and tougher. The Steelers ought to win at least two more games unless shocking circumstances arise. They ought to be good enough to beat Boston again when they meet in the Hub and they ought to have enough to defeat Detroit which so far has lost three games without taking a victory. This would give them five victories for the season - and a tie - a record that no one remembering other years could possibly complain about. It is possible, too, that they may do better in the second game against the Giants than they did in the first when they lost after having outplayed the New Yorkers in most of three quarters. But the Redskins who sort of beat themselves out of a victory in the first Steeler game - when they got only a tie - indicated yesterday their real capacity when they pushed over the Giants 24 to 14. They will offer an almost insurmountable hurdle to the Steelers when they tangle here November 3. A win over Washington would be more soul-satisfying to the Steelers from the doctor down to the water boy, than anything short of a pennant, but an excellent line in front of the incomparable Sammy Baugh offers a terrific challenge...What the fans saw of Art McCaffray, the 195 pounds Steeler tackle, and the work of Bob Davis, at end, in smearing Boston's running and passing attack adds new interest to these capable fellows in the games to come. "The team has done everything that a man could expect of them," said Dr. Sutherland after the game with Boston. "We don't have as much weight in the line as is customary in the league and we lack the experience that other teams own in a professional way but in spite of this they have done fine. We're making mistakes and we will make some more, I'm afraid, but it's not for the want of trying."
100,000 SEE STEELERS HERE
OCT 15 (Pittsburgh) - Having played to more than 100,000 fans in three home games the Pittsburgh Steelers are searching for more portable bleachers so as to increase the seating capacity at Forbes Field for their two remaining home contests in the NFL. These are with the Washington Redskins on November 3 and the Philadelphia Eagles on November 17. This morning Dr. Jock Sutherland will start practice in the Oakland ball park for the important date next Sunday with the Green Bay Packers at Green Bay. Aside from Bill Dudley, star left halfback, who suffered a leg cut, the squad came through the 16-7 victory over Boston's Yanks in excellent physical condition. It is likely that right halfback Merlyn Condit, who didn't dress for the Boston game; left tackle Joe Coomer and right halfback Max Kielbasa, who were kept on the bench in the Yank contest, will all be ready for the Packer fray. Pittsburgh has never beaten Coach Curly Lambeau's boys and will be underdogs this week after the Packers' impressive 19-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. The Steelers were en train shortly after noon on Friday following their usual morning practice. They will hold their last tuneup in Green Bay on Saturday.
ALL STEELERS TO BE IN SHAPE FOR PACKERS
OCT 15 (Pittsburgh) - All of the Steeler cripples will be back in uniform and ready to go when they invade Green Bay, Wis., Sunday for one of the toughest assignments of the year. Merlyn Condit, who sat out the 16-7 victory over the Boston Yanks Sunday at Forbes Field nursing bruised ribs, likely will return to his right halfback post this week. Tackle Joe Coomer, who protected his ailing ankle and elbow Sunday, also will be on hand to strengthen the line...LEAVE FRIDAY NOON: The Steelers will leave here Friday noon and work out Saturday in Green Bay. Statistics on Green Bay's surprise 19-7 win over the Eagles Sunday reveal some amazing facts - almost unbelievable. The Eagles picked up 14 first downs to nine for Green Bay. Both teams were stopped trying to carry the ball, the Eagles gaining only 50 yards from scrimmage to only 35 for the Packers...17 PASSES COMPLETED...BUT: Philadelphia completed 17 out of 29 passes for 204 yards, but could tally just one touchdown. The Packers took to the air eight times, made good on three for a paltry 23 yards. The one thing that hurt the Eagles was fumbling. They bobbled the ball nine times and recovered six.
SUTHERLAND'S PITTSBURGH STEELERS INVADE CITY STADIUM NEXT SUNDAY
OCT 15 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers go on display in front of the home folks next Sunday for the second league show this season and win, lose or draw they'll be a lot different from the Packer outfit that played at City stadium last Sept. 29. (Bears 30, Packers 7. Or have you forgotten). Dr. John Bain (Jock) Sutherland's Pittsburgh Steelers will provide the opposition. The Steelers, boys and girls, are tough for the simple reason that they have two victories: one defeat to a club (Washington) that nipped Curly Lambeau's forces, 35-31. Sutherland's men clubbed down the highly-regarded Chicago Cardinals, 14-7; dropped a heart-breaking 17-14 verdict to New York; battled the Washington Redskins to a 21-21 tie; and last Sunday bounced the revitalized Boston Yankees, 16-7...ALWAYS FIRST TIME: Pittsburgh is one of four clubs in the National league that has been unable to beat Green Bay, but the Packers are being reminded this week that there is always a first time for everything. The Packers have beaten the Steelers eight times since 1933. Only one of those games was close. That was in the last tilt of 1942 when Bill Dudley and Co. were nosed out 24-21 in Milwaukee. Walt Kiesling, Packer line coach, was head coach of the Steelers at that time, finishing second in the Eastern division. Dudley, the Virginia wonder boy, is back with the 1946 Steelers and paces their ground attack with Clement and Lach, both ex-Cardinals. Clement has been handling most of the Pittsburgh passing. Another hot shot is Pete Odelle, bother of Yale's brilliant Howie who is now Yale's head coach. This is Sutherland's third season in the National league and undoubtedly his most successful. He coached two years at Brooklyn before the war set in and then went into the Navy. Sutherland is a big favorite in the city of Pittsburgh, where he coached the University of Pittsburgh in the days of Goldberg and Daddio. The Steelers employ the single wing formation, and Sutherland is one of three coaches who do not use some variation of the original T, the other being Curly Lambeau of the Packers and Gus Dorais of Detroit. In fact, next Sunday will be the first time this season that the Packers did not work against the T in league play. The Packers won't see the T again until Nov. 3 when they invade Chicago to battle the Bears. After the Pitt test, Lambeau's squad engages Detroit's Notre Dame style in Milwaukee Oct. 27...Little Herman Rohrig was on the sidelines today as the Packers launched intensive drills for the Steeler clash. A couple of shoulder muscles got twisted and then separated in the Eagle game last Sunday, and Rohrig may be out for a week. He was in a lot of pain on the ride home from Philly and had to take some pills to induce sleep. The only other casualty, though it won't handicap his movement, is blocking quarterback Red Keuper who got something about 50 times the size of a piece of dirt in his eyes. Keuper doesn't know what hit him yet, but his right eye is swollen badly. Keuper's knee injury, which kept him out of the three exhibitions and most of the Bear game, has just about disappeared. The Packer defense came in for a lot of attention today despite the fact that it worked beautifully against the Eagles. The reason? Because Pitt runs off the single and double wing, which is quite different from the T. The Eagles had only one chance to yell Sunday and that was on their opening drive which carried 89 yards in nine plays for the game's first touchdown. In that drive, the Eagles completed two passes for a total of 44 yards. Incidentally, the Bays who made tackles in seven of those nine plays were Irv Comp, three times; Merv Pregulman, two; Bruce Smith and Paul Lipscomb, one
each. The entire Packer line smeared the eighth play and on the ninth Van Buren ran over five Bay for seven yards and the TD...Are you wondering about the small rushing gains (35 yards) the Packers made Sunday? The Bays lost 98 yards on rushing that were called back by penalties alone. Here's an interesting point that reveals that the Packers can keep their eyes open. In three games they intercepted a total of seven passes, one from the Bears and three each from the Rams and Eagles. The runback yardage is 203, including 51 from the Bears, 71 from the Rams and 81 from the Eagles. Against the Eagles, the Packers didn't intercept anything until the last half and that's when it really counted. The Packers have had four of their passes intercepted in three league tests - two by the Bears and one each by the Rams (Tom Harmon for TD) and Eagles.
JOCK SUTHERLAND, WITH CURLY'S APPROVAL, CAN UPSET GRID T POT
OCT 15 (Green Bay) - Jock Sutherland, whose Pittsburgh Steelers play at City stadium next Sunday, is making a good start toward leading the way out of this spot of "T" pro fans have been drinking every Sunday, and with full approval of Packer Coach Curly Lambeau. Sudden popularity of the T-formation followed the successful use of this type of football offense by the Chicago Bears, and it's reasonable to suppose that if some single wing teams have good seasons this year, a trend will start in the other direction. Sutherland could lead the way back on the basis of his success with the Pittsburgh team, which beat two T clubs, Chicago Cards and Boston, and tied another T agent, Washington. Anyhow, it should be interesting and indeed different next Sunday for the Packers who worked against the T's of the Bears, Rams and Eagles in succession. Lambeau also can go a long way in taking the sting out of the T, and, brothers, that is exactly what he'd like to do. Incidentally, Coach Lambeau believes that the Bears use the only original T. "The rest are all mixtures," he remarked one day. Few formations used by coaches these days have a definite name. Among these are the T, single wing and Notre Dame systems. All of the other offenses are figured off these three. The Packers, for instance, use what we like to call a shiftless Notre Dame formation, which is a carry over from Lambeau's Notre Dame shift style. But everything else is strictly something Lambeau pulled out of his sleeve. There is one distinct difference in the T and any other kind of formation. The T is a fast breaking attack and any other is a delayed offense. The delay allows time for blockers to come out of the line and get ahead of the ball carrier or for the decoy to fool and split the defense. The T is designed to take advantage of quick openings. However, delayed and quick breaking plays can be worked in either system. So take your choice. Let's be safe and say the best formation is the one that wins. The Packers have won six world championships with the Notre Dame while the Bears have won four with the T. As far as this writer is concerned, any formation is good - if you get a bunch of guys who can block, tackle and run. The prime object in football is to put the ball in a place that gives you six points, and to keep your foes from doing the same. If you can do that, then your formation is the best - be it the T, Notre Dame or single (or double) wing formations. Speaking of coaches, here are a couple of quotes by NFL mentors that are kinda cute: Greasy Neale, Philadelphia Eagles, speaking of the Packer-Eagles clash Sunday: "Our mistake was that we didn't use our old halfbacks instead of the young ones who fumbled. The veterans are always better than the freshman." And the Giants' Steve Owen: "I saw in the paper that there was dissension on the Redskins. That must have been right because Sammy Baugh was throwing at Steve Bargarus all afternoon - only he threw footballs instead of rocks."...Let us offer a rebuttal to Neale's rookie-veteran statement. The Packers had a first year back, Arkansas Bob (Gold Dust) Forte, who pegged to Ted Fritsch for the tying touchdown after setting up the payoff play with a daring 20-yard run. That was the turning point in the game, even though it came with just 30 seconds left in the first half. On defense, the Messrs. Forte, Marv Pregulman and Buddy Gatewood - to mention a few - were murder on your, Mr. Neale...Meat note: They sold fish cakes (ugh) instead of the usual hot dogs and hamburgers at Shibe park in Philly Sunday.
NATIONAL LOOP SPOTLIGHT ON PACKER-STEELER GAME SUNDAY
OCT 16 (Green Bay) - There will be something of a NFL spotlight on City stadium next Sunday afternoon. The news today from the league office reveals that the bests in three departments of play are from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers - principals in Green Bay's second home game of this young and interesting season. Leading the trio and the most feared by the Packers is Bill Dudley, whose achievements listed in the adjoining story. Next is Ted Fritsch, the league's new scoring leader by virtue of his 17 points in Philly last Sunday, and last but not least is Mr. Roy McKay, the nifty punter. Dudley, the Bluefield Bullet who set a national scoring record as a 19-year-old with Virginia in 1941, is probably the most accomplished player in the National league. Pittsburgh rates him as the BEST in five different departments of play - punting, kicking extra points and points after touchdown, passing and above all running. This makes him a quintuple-threat, although when he is out Johnny Clement, former Cardinal, handles the passing. Dudley missed only one game and part of another, and in those two games the Steelers lost one and tied one. Bill was benched when the Steelers lost a heart-breaking 17-14
decision to the field goal-crazy New York Giants and played only one quarter in the tie game with Washington. Coach Curly Lambeau and his Packers were served notice last Sunday night that Dudley will be raring to go in Green Bay. The Steelers, relaxing after their tie tilt with Washington, bested the Boston Yanks, 16-7, in a game that saw Dudley do everything. He threw two touchdowns passes and kicked a field goal in a superb performance. Besides, he ran 50 yards from the Pitt 23 to the Boston 37 in the fourth period and a little later got the Steelers out of a hole by intercepting a pass on the Steeler 10 and returning it 53 yards to the Boston 37. He also threw in assorted gains of from one to 15 yards. Do you start to get the rosy picture the Packers must smudge if they expect to remain in the running? Here's another angle. The Steelers do not use the power plays that brought their coach, Jock Sutherland, fame at the University of Pittsburgh, because the Steelers are light. "You cannot depend on power plays in this pro game. The opposition is a little too rugged for that type of football alone," the slick Scot has said. As a result, Sutherland has drilled his Steelers to throw passes until they almost hit the receiver with their eyes shut. He has them racing around the ends until their tongues are hanging out. "This is not the first time I have used the forward pass as an offensive weapon. We had a chap named Ace Parker at Brooklyn who could and did throw passes with the best of the pros."...The Packers went through a tough scrimmage session today, and more of the same is scheduled for Thursday. Lambeau, watching his boys closely, is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping that more "100 percent performances will be forthcoming Sunday afternoon against the Steelers." Lambeau said that Fritsch reached the "100 percent stage against the Eagles." The Packer mentor believes that "we could have the best team in the league if all of our boys play their best football." One hundred percent performances are still due from Bruce Smith, the Minnesota speed boy, who sparkled against the Rams, and Clyde Goodnight. Bruce carried the ball just twice against the Eagles and picked up 16 yards, and played a whale of a game on defense. Goodnight, commonly known as the successor to Don Hutson, isn't bothered with his ankle anymore...Waivers were circulated around the National league today on Harold (Ace) Prescott, Packer end, who formerly played with Hardin-Simmons. If he isn't picked up, Prescott may join the San Diego Bombers, farm club of the Packers.
DUDLEY LEAD PRO CARRIERS
OCT 16 (Milwaukee Journal) - Bill Dudley of the Pittsburgh Steelers has taken over the lead in ground gaining from Frank Filchock of the New York Giants, NFL statistics disclosed. The former Virginia flash gained 112 yards in 16 attempts against the Boston Yanks last Sunday to run his four game total to 263 yards on 56 tries for an average of 4.2 yards and a margin of 18 yards over Filchock. Paul Christman of the Cardinals displaced the Bears' Sid Luckman as the top passer with 33 completions in 63 attempts for a total of 529 yards. Sammy Baugh of Washington went into second place, with Luckman slipping to third. Ted Fritsch of Green Bay bolted to the top of the scoring column with two touchdowns and and the season's longest field goal against Philadelphia. His 17 points against the Eagles gave him 28 for three games and enabled him to nose out Ward Cuff, Cardinal veteran. Jim Benton of Los Angeles retained his lead in pass receiving but was pressed by Jack Ferrante of Philadelphia, who has outgained and outscored the Ram veteran.
STEELERS MUST STOP FRITSCH
OCT 16 (Pittsburgh) - Every member of the Pittsburgh Steeler grid squad of 33 players was in uniform at Forbes Field yesterday morning when Dr. Jock Sutherland started practice for next Sunday's NFL game at Green Bay. Indications were that halfbacks Merlyn Condit and Max Kielbasa and tackle Joe Coomer, missing from the Boston Yank game last Sunday in Forbes Field, would be ready to go again. In setting up his defense, Coach Sutherland as to plan on stopping Ted Fritsch, husky Packer fullback who is leading the league in scoring with 28 points. Fritsch made two touchdowns and a 46-yard field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday in Shibe Park. The Steelers will drill here today, tomorrow and Friday, then go by train on Friday afternoon to the Wisconsin battle site. They will hold their final practice in Green Bay on Saturday.
PACKERS TO WEAR WHITE AGAINST BLACK-GOLD PITT
OCT 17 (Green Bay) - The Green Bay Packers will wear white Sunday, which could, or could not, be a black omen. It developed today that the Pittsburgh Steelers wear black and gold uniforms and you Packer people all know that Curly Lambeau sport blue and gold. To avoid confusion, like throwing the ball to the wrong guy, the Packers will wear white jerseys with gold numbers. The Packers last sported their whites in Cleveland in 1945 and the Champeen Rams won quite handily, 20-7. However, for the benefit of you superstitious followers, it is reported that the Packers first wore white back in 1939 and proceeded to upset a powerful Detroit machine. Regardless of jersey color, Sunday's NFL even at City stadium (kickoff at 2 o'clock) shapes up as a honey, and if you haven't got a ticket yet, don't hesitate. They're still available. Why is Sunday's game called a honey above? It's really easy to figure out. The Steelers have what the experts call (and the records to prove it) a very good team - capable of knocking off any of the more established champs like the Bears, Packers and Giants. On the other hand, you have the Packers, who are in the up-and-coming class - seemingly getting better each Sunday. Whether the Packers will get better after ripping open Philadelphia, 19-7, last Sunday is something Coach Lambeau would like to know. The Packer mentor has confidence in his lads and believes they can beat anybody if they all play 100 percent football. Probably the biggest talking point Pittsburgh has is its 17-14 heartbreaking loss to the New York Giants who whipped our Packers, 35-21. The Steelers lost this game in the last minute despite the fact that one of the league's greatest offensive aces - Mr. William Dudley - was sidelined with injuries. Dudley will be ready, willing and able next Sunday. From the newsy side, it is reported that veteran right half Herman Rohrig may see little or no action Sunday. Rohrig suffered a shoulder injury in Philly last Sunday and has been running with care. This leaves the right half spot in the hands of three first-year men, but what men - Bob Nussbaumer, Bob Forte and Charley Mitchell. Nussbaumer and Forte already have proven themselves, while Mitch, a former Chicago Bears, hasn't seen much action . He was put on the inactive list out in Philly and helped Line Coach Walt Kiesling scout the game for errors from the press box. It was in the Eagle game that Forte, the Arkansas handyman, established himself, personally setting up and then passing to Ted Fritsch for the touchdown that gave the Packers a 7-7 tie just before halftime. Another youngster who has shown up well despite the fact that he plays behind Filbert Fritsch is Walt Schlinkman, who reeled off some good gains against the Eagles. Schlink is one of those toughies who loves to put his head down and batter. The Packer line is in good shape, although tackle Paul Lipscomb get a leg tape job after every practice. The big wall, which will outweigh the Steeler line, seems to be the key to the Packers' 1946 fortunes after holding the Eagle to seven points...The Steelers will arrive in Green Bay at 8 o'clock Saturday morning on the Northwestern and will headquarter at the Northland hotel. A number of them probably will take in the St. Norbert-Loras college homecoming contest at J.R. Minahan stadium Saturday afternoon. This will be Pittsburgh's first appearance when the Packers won, 42-10.
SPORTS COCKTAILS
OCT 17 (Green Bay) - Speaking of the Bears, it is made known that the Bears have had two seasons in which they batted below .500 - 1945 and 1929, while the Packers have had only one such experience - in 1933...Joseph Laws, father of the Packers' former Joe, has planned a grid treat for the Colfax, Ia., high team. He will take his gridders to the Packer-Bear game in Chicago Nov. 3...Don Hutson's life will be the subject of a feature in This Week, Sunday paper section, early in December. Hutson, Curly Lambeau and other Packers were paged for material by Adie Suehsdorf, This Week writer, in Philly last weekend...Favorite statement: "I am not accustomed to coaching a loser, and I do not intend to start at this late date." The speaker is Jock Sutherland, whose Pittsburgh club meets the Packers at City stadium next Sunday. He spoke thusly just before the '46 season opened...The Pass Interception club now has five members who have a total of seven interceptions: Herman Rohrig 2, Bob Nussbaumer 2, Cliff Aberson, Ted Fritsch and Russ Mosley, now retired...Figure this out: In Milwaukee, the Packers gained 170 yards by rushing through the Los Angeles line. The next Sunday in Chicago, the Bears were able to get only 65 yards through the LA wall. The Rams should be fit to be tied, which is exactly what they did with the Bears, 28-28...Bill Dudley, who works on Sunday for Pittsburgh, is a great offensive back but few people except rival players and coaches know he is just as great defensively. He is the kind of guy who can wreck the Packers' passing game if they're not really careful...Chuck Cherundolo, Steeler center, played five successive 60-minute games in 1942 and, now at 30, he can do the same if necessary,
PACKERS GEAR DEFENSE TO THROTTLE BILL DUDLEY
OCT 17 (Green Bay) - Three of the NFL's top performers will be the center of attention when the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet at City stadium here Sunday. The Packer defense, which came into its own against the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday, will be geared to stop Pittsburgh's Bill Dudley, the National league's No. 1 ground gainer. Dudley has a four game total of 63 yards on 56 tries for an average of 4.2 yards. The Steelers, on the other hand, will be on the alert whenever the Packers' Ted Fritsch gets his hands on the ball, for the stocky Green Bay fullback leads the circuit in scoring with 28 points. The third member of the trio, Roy McKay, Packer halfback, has the best punting average in the league with 21 kicks for an average distance of 42 yards. The Packers returned to the practice field this week in high spirits after breaking their losing streak against the Eagles and are determined to continue their 14 year dominance over the Steelers. Coach E.L. (Curly) Lambeau has polished the Packer running attack on the theory that a ground game may prove the most effective weapon against the lightest line in the league. Listed as a doubtful starter against Pittsburgh was halfback Herman Rohrig, who suffered a muscle separation in his shoulder in the Philadelphia game. Carl Mulleneaux, husky end, who was hurt in the Chicago Bear game and did not make the trip to Philadelphia, will be ready for action. Lambeau announced Wednesday that waivers had been asked on Harold Prescott, an end.
NATIONAL LEAGUE TAKES LEAD IN SCRAMBLE FOR ATTENDANCE
OCT 17 (New York) - The NFL leads the All-America conference in average attendance in the knock-down-drag-out battle of the gate receipts but both professional circuits assert business is good and promises to get better. In the first 16 games of the regular season, the 10 teams of the established National league have played before a total of 506,358 fans - an average of 31,647 per game. The eight teams of the new All-America conference, having played 23 games on their first championship schedule, have appeared before 648,861 fans - an average of 28,211 per game. Officials of the National league point out their attendance to date is 47.2 percent above the first 16 games of 1945, a year which wound up as the best in the loop from the standpoint of drawing power if not from the standard of play. All-America conference heads, on the other hand, hold up the fact that their opener at Cleveland drew a crowd of 60,135, largest throng ever to see a regularly scheduled professional football game, and at least two other games topped the 50,000 mark, which the rival loop has not yet attained this year. The National leaguers aren't willing to concede that the increase is due in any part to a stimulus born of a rivalry existing for the first time. "It simply is the national trend in sports, plus the natural growth of the game," said a National league spokesman.
STEELERS OUT TO SNAP PACKER JINX
OCT 17 (Pittsburgh) - Prior to last Sunday, there were four NFL rivals whom the Pittsburgh Steelers had never whipped. The 16-7 victory of Dr. Jock Sutherland's surprising club over the Boston Yanks cut that list to three, the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles (formerly Cleveland) Rams and the Green Bay Packers. Against the mighty Bruins of the Midway, the Steelers have at least an exhibition success, by 10-9, in Erie in 1940. That was the great Chicago combination which humiliated Washington in the playoff for the title by 73-0 and caused owner George Preston Marshall of the "Skins to adopt the T formation. There is one tiny bit of satisfaction as concerns the Rams, too. In five league meetings, the Steelers at least got one tie, by 14-14, in 1939...NEVER LICKED PACKERS: Green Bay, however, offers the complete hoodoo. Pittsburgh has never licked the Packers in either exhibition or league affairs. In fact, only one of eleven league setbacks has ever been close. That was in 1942, when the Packers nosed out a 24-21 victory. The 1941 game at Forbes Field was also one to remember. The Steelers actually led at the end of the first quarter, 7-0. Final score was Green Bay 54, Pittsburgh 7, the worst licking in pro history. There's not much use of reviewing any except the 1942 fray. Coach Curly Lambeau's boys has things too easy, including the games against the Phil-Pitt combine of 1943 and the Card-Pitt merger of 1944. The Wisconsin Fair Grounds in Milwaukee presented a frigid scene on December 6, 1942, as the Steelers and Packers met in the league windup for both. They already were assured of second place in the Eastern and Western Division, respectively...SNOW SWEPT FROM FIELD: Snow had been swept from the battlefield and piled high on the sidelines. The temperature skidded down around the 12 above zero mark and only 5,183 human polar bears huddled in the stands. Most of the gridders wore basketball shoes to avoid sliding on the icy field. Pittsburgh received the opening kickoff and the jinx immediately bobbled up. Curt Sandig, a freshman pro from tiny St. Mary's College in Texas, who, as right halfback, paired with Bill Dudley at left halfback, accepted on his 12 and raced up to the right sideline to the Packer 28, before he was shoved out of bounds into a snowdrift. After the game, Curt reported that he hurt a leg on the first couple of steps. Otherwise he would easily have gone the distance for a quick touchdown. Instead, he was carried to the bench and didn't return until the final moments of the game...ISBELL PASSES DECISIVE: That would have been a great start and might have proved decisive. As it was, the ball game ended at 24-21 in favor of the Packers, Cecil Isbell, now head coach at Purdue University and who will bring his Boilermakers here to play Pitt next week, pitched three touchdowns passes to halfback Larry Brock for 21 yards, to end Harry Jacunski for 49 yards and to end Ray Riddick for 24 yards. End Don Hutson kicked all three extra points and then made what were the winning points on a 28-yard field goal from placement. Only four Steelers who competed in that memorable battle will be in Gold and Black togs in Green Bay this weekend, still seeking to wreck the old jinx. They are end Tony Bova, center Chuck Cherundolo and halfbacks Bill Dudley and Andy Tomasic. Dr. Jock Sutherland is coach instead of Walter Kiesling. Curly Lambeau still bosses the Packers. Steeler fans are hoping that their long wait is over and the twelfth meeting will bring victory number one for the Rooney-McGinley U.
PACKERS ROLLING AT REGULAR GAIT
OCT 17 (Pittsburgh) - There wasn't a football coach in the NFL who lifted a quizzical eye when the Green Bay Packers started out the present season in a losing habit. "It won't last long," they chorused. "Curly Lambeau will get those Packers rolling soon. They always start late and wind up in a hurry." The New York Giants tripped the Packers in a preseason exhibition. When the campaign started, the Packers had two defeats to show for their first two games, one to the Chicago Bears, the other to the champion Los Angeles Rams...ON THEIR WAY: But last Sunday, the Packers began to roll. They dumped the favored Eagles at Philadelphia, 19-7, and made two Steeler scouts come away from the field singing high praises for the Wisconsin boys, who meet the Pittsburghers in Green Bay Sunday. "Ted Fritsch, the fullback, had an operation on his knee this summer and he seems better than ever," Frank Souchak and Mike Nixon reported to Dr. Jock Sutherland and the players. "Fritsch weighs 210 pounds on the program but he looks at least 20 pounds heavier. He's almost as hard to bring down as Bronko Nagurski."...LINE BIG AND ROUGH: "The big fella scored two touchdowns, one on a running play and one on a pass. Then he booted a 46-yard field goal into the wind. The Packer line is big and rough and tough. It made the Eagle ball carriers fumble nine times. One Packer lineman would tackle the runner, another Packers would tackle the ball. Very simple and very legal. Steve Van Buren, the best Philadelphia back, fumbled three times and came out of the game with a cracked rib. Most of the Eagle fumbles were in Packer territory and stopped every drive. And those Eagles are no pushovers."...BEATEN PHYSICALLY: "The Packers gave 'em a good beating physically. But after the Eagles got their touchdown, which came the first time they had the ball, on four plays, the Packers went to work. Green Bay's first three plays called for passes. The Packers completed two out of three
and chalked up a touchdown. Once in a tie, the Packers started to manhandle the line and from that point on, everything worked."..PRO PUNTS: Handy Andy Tomasic, the little left halfback, has been doing a lot of passing and punting in practice sessions and may break into action Sunday for the Steelers. He's been running Bill Dudley and Johnny Clement and hasn't had much of a chance.
EXPECT STEELERS TO GO OVER, AROUND BAY WALL - NOT 'THRU'
OCT 18 (Green Bay) - Pittsburgh's Steelers probably will use the shortest and longest methods of scoring against the Green Bay Packers at City stadium Sunday afternoon. It's all very easy to figure out. The Steelers, with their line averaging slightly under 200 pounds, believe that the easiest way to get on the other side of a stone wall is to go around and over it. All this means that the Steelers likely will do plenty of passing - the shortest route to touchdown land - and running the ends - the longest distance to pay territory. Dr. John B. (Jock) Sutherland, Steeler coach, calls it "elementary, or, er, just common sense." Anyhow, the Steelers have what is called a heavy college line and a darned light pro wall. The Packers, on the other side, have a 215-pound wall that found itself against the Eagles last Sunday, allowing Greasy Neale's outfit just one touchdown and 50 yards by rushing. The reports reveal that Pittsburgh is deadly on end runs and which is a good way of capitalizing on a light line, or rather on two speedy guards, Fife and Bucek, who join the back-blockers in front of the ball carriers. Mix this with passing and you have all sorts of troubles for Green Bay. The Packers are expecting the worst from the Steelers who, in Coach Curly Lambeau's opinion, are "rough, rugged and really fast." Lambeau has plenty of respect for Sutherland who is using his team's speed to every advantage. In drilling his boys this week, Lambeau is pointing to the remarkable record of the Steelers who whipped a strong Chi-Cardinal team, 14-7, lost a last minute thriller to New York (without Bullet Bill Dudley), tied Washington, 21-21, and then trumped an improved Boston outfit, 16-7. Packer stock took a blow Thursday when Carl Mulleneaux, the veteran right or left end, sustained a nose fracture plus numerous cuts in scrimmage. This injury qualifies Carl as the hard luck Packer of the '46 season, since he just recovered from a knockout blow absorbed in the Sept. 29 Packer-Bears slugfest. He came out with a slight brain concussion and was subject to headaches until this week when he donned a uniform. It is possible that he can play Sunday, but he'll have to wear a face guard. Mulleneaux received the injury when he fell against a teammate's heel. Several stitches were required to close the wound. It is likely that the Packers also will be without right half Herman Rohrig, who was hurt in the Philadelphia game. A third injuree is guard Bob Adkins, who fractured his leg in the New York exhibition. With Mulleneaux and Rohrig due for rest Sunday, the Packers have four ends, two for the right side - Nolan Luhn and Don Wells - and Clyde Goodnight and Tom Miller at left. Luhn and Goodnight are offensive experts and Wells and Miller, both newcomers here, are defensive workers. Possible loss of Rohrig leaves the Packers will all pro freshmen to handle right half - Bob Nussbaumer, Bob Forte and Charley Mitchell, the former Bear. The Steelers arrive in Green Bay at 8 o'clock Saturday morning on the Northwestern.
STEELERS HEAD FOR BATTLE WITH PACKERS
OCT 18 (Pittsburgh) - The Steelers pointed their noses toward Green Bay, Wis., today, heading for the Sunday battle with the big, bad Packers. They were due at the Wisconsin home of the Green Bay Packers tomorrow morning and a workout in the afternoon. Dr. Jock Sutherland had every Steeler player in tip-top shape, except for Merlyn Condit. The former Carnegie Tech ace is still nursing painful bruised ribs and likely will watch the kickoff from the bench. Bill Dutton is primed to start at right halfback instead of Condit and Big Joe Coomer will return to his post at left tackle...JANSANTE, DAVIS AT ENDS: Val Jansante and Bob Davis will hold down the ends, Coomer and Art McCaffray at tackles, Ralph Fife and Felix Bucek at the guards and Chuck Cherundolo at center. Bill Garnaas will go at quarterback, flanked by Bill Dudley and Dutton at the halves and Tony Compagno at fullback. The one man the Steelers have been warned they must watch and stop is Ted Fritsch, burly Packer fullback. He is not only a bruising type of fullback but also snares passes. And he's quite a field goal kicker. The Packers usually start slowly, then come with a burst. They lost a preseason exhibition to the New York Giants, then dropped league contests to the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams...UPSET EAGLES: But last Sunday they trimmed the favored Eagles, 19-7. Although the Steelers have shown constant improvement, they still are rated underdogs to the Packers for Sunday's game. Green Bay is being picked anywhere from 10 points to two touchdowns, but the men of Rooney U. have shown a positive disregard for any odds. The Steelers have brushed up on both their pass attack and their pass defense in the last two weeks. Their main worry will be to stop the Packer backs before they can get going. One man they won't be called on to look at this year is Don Hutson, the all-time leading
end...HUTSON NOW COACHING: Hutson is now an assistant coach and every coach in the league sleeps much better these nights. A victory - or even a tie - will make history for the Steelers. In 11 games with the Packers ever since they came into the league in 1933, the Pittsburghers never have recorded a victory or even a deadlock. The closest they came was in 1942, when they lost 24-21.
PACKER-STEELER TILT LOOMS AS 'BATTLE OF CENTERS'
OCT 18 (Green Bay) - The National league game here Sunday between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Packers should develop into quite a battle of centers as both teams are blessed with a trio of topnotch snapperbacks. In these days of wide open pigskin chasing the "middle men" bob into the light with nearly as much prominence as the touchdown-makers and the spectators at the tilt this weekend in the city are apt to see some fancy capers by the centers. The Packers' trio is composed of Capt. Charley Brock, all-American pro center in 1945; Bob Flowers, a rough and ready customer from Texas Tech and Buddy Gatewood, a freshman from Baylor. This is Brock's eight year in Green Bay toggery while Flowers is a fifth year veteran. Charlie Cherundolo is the first string snapper back for the Steelers. This is his seventh year on the postgraduate gridiron. Silas Titus, four years with Pitt, is another capable center. Arthur Brandau, who starred at Tennessee, is the third Steeler middle man. He stands 6 feet 2 inches and tips the beam at 215 pounds. The "Battle of the Centers" will be witnessed by a large crowd. The Packer ticket office reports an unusually brisk sale with each mail bringing in a raft of of-town orders. Any number of choice reservations are still available, however.
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PACKER-STEELER FRACAS SUNDAY
OCT 19 (Green Bay) - Here are a couple of important points regarding Green Bay's second NFL attraction between the Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at City stadium Sunday afternoon. No. 1 is: Perfect football weather (the weatherman says so). No. 2 is: Tickets are still available. Ticket Director Carl Mraz reported today that tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in the Legion building up to 5 o'clock this afternoon. The ticket window at City stadium will be open starting at 10 o'clock Sunday morning.
PACKERS, PITT FACE MUST-WIN TASK AT CITY STADIUM SUNDAY
OCT 19 (Green Bay) - A couple of NFL teams with "must win" intentions step onto the City stadium turf at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The Green Bay Packers, attempting to get into the .500 class, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, trying to stay out of the .500 class, are the main attractions in this second test before local fans and the Bays' fourth start of the 1946 season. The Steeler, surprise of the year, loom as a serious stumbling block in the path of the Packers, who posted their first victory last week over Philadelphia, 19-7, after losing to the Bears, 30-7, and Los Angeles, 21-17. The Steelers, with the lightest line in the league, upset the mighty Chi-Cardinals; lost a three pointer to the New York Giants; tied Washington; and then downed Boston. For the benefit of the 25,000 fans who saw the Packers take a humiliating licking from the Bears here Sept. 29, it must be stated that the Green Bays will present an entirely new team - not in names, but in determination, spirit and guts. And also for the benefit of fans who are debating about tomorrow's issue, it must be stated that the Packers face just as tough a test as they did versus the Bears, Rams and Eagles. The Bays will be seeking their ninth straight victory over the Steelers, who never were able to whip Green Bay in the series started in 1933. The closest contest occurred in Milwaukee in 1942, when the Bays won, 24-21. Walt Kiesling, the present Packer line coach, was pilot of that 1942 club which was barely nosed out for the Eastern division title. Pittsburgh captured the fancy of the entire Eastern division by its superb play against the Cards, Giants, Redskins and Yanks. The Steelers, coach by Dr. Jock Sutherland, present something new in pro football - a light but speed line plus a murderous passing attack and swift running backs. They rarely depend on power, but work on the theory that the easiest way to score is to keep away from the larger foes. This is why they have gained more yardage by passing than
running and more than half of its plays have been around the ends. Pacing the Steeler attack is the triple-threat Bill Dudley, who is the league's leading ground gainer. He'll share passing with Johnny Clement, ex-Cardinal. Even though the Packer line outweighs the Steeler waif, 215 pounds to 201, Curly Lambeau's Bays, who will be dressed in white, probably will try a lot of passing with just about everybody but the three coaches and linemen throwing. Best known of the passers are left halfbacks Irv Comp and Tony Canadeo, who took over when Cecil Isbell faded into the college picture, but all of the other Packer backs have good, strong arms - especially a youngster named Cliff Aberson, who formerly used his arm to throw baseballs. With veteran right half Herman Rohrig benched because of a shoulder injury, it is interesting to note that his position will be filled by three newcomers - Bob Nussbaumer, Bob Forte and Charley Mitchell. These guys have pretty fair pitching arms, too. Two other guys who will work in the Bay backfield are Teddy Fritsch and Roy McKay, the highest and best in their respective departments. Fullback Fritsch scored 17 points last week to take the league's scoring leadership, while halfback and fullback McKay tops the circuit in punting with a 42-yard average. He held his lead despite the fact that one of his punts was blocked last Sunday. Veterans Larry Craig and Ken Keuper and freshman Al Zupek are the blocking backs. The Packer line, key to the Bays' victory over Philly last Sunday, again holds the latch against the Steelers. Though heavier than the Steeler forwards, the Packer up-fronters will be facing something new as compared to the heavy, lumbering toilers wearing Bear, Ram and Eagle uniforms. The Tulsa twins, Clyde Goodnight and Nolan Luhn, likely will tee off at ends. Other possible starters are Reliable Baby Ray and Paul Lipscomb at tackles; Dick Wildung and Merv Pregulman at guards; and Captain Charley Brock. Wildung is the only freshman in this wall which started against the Eagles. Big Ed Neal, who tore the center of the Philly line to bits late in last Sunday's game, probably will see plenty of action as will Tiny Croft, Urb Odson - to mention a few. Odson, incidentally, is the only Packer lineman (excluding the ends) to score any points this season in league play. He got credit in league play for the safety when he nailed Eagle Tommy Thompson in the end zone last Sunday. Working in the Pittsburgh backfield with Dudley will be Gus Garnaas at quarterback, Merlin Condit at right hald and Compagno at fullback. Steve Lach, former Cardinal, and Bill Dutton will switch with Condit. Aces of the Pitt line are Coomer, a six-year league tackle veteran, and Cherundolo, considered one of the best centers in the circuit.
STEELERS WORK OUT AFTER TRIP
OCT 19 (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph - Green Bay) - Headed by Coach Jock Sutherland, the Pittsburgh Steelers arrive here today and worked out at City Stadium preparing for tomorrow's National league football tussle with the Green Bay Packers. With Merlyn Condit complaining during the long ride that his ribs were still sore, the Steelers' mentor doesn't intend to take any chances and has announced that Bill Dutton, who turned in a superlative performance last Sunday against the Boston Yanks, again will be Bill Dudley's running mate when the game gets underway. The elevation of the former Pitt halfback to the starting lineup means that the second-string backfield, which Sutherland usually sends into action when the second period gets underway, will be composed of Charley Seabright, Johnny Clement, Cullen Rogers and Steve Lach. In the workouts staged at Forbes Field during the past few days, Sutherland has had Andy Tomasic subbing for Dudley at left halfback, which may be an indication that the Steelers will take to the air against the powerful Packer line.
STEELERS UNDERDOGS AT GREEN BAY
OCT 19 (Pittsburgh) - Pittsburgh's Cinderella boys - the Steelers - go gunning for their first football victory over the Green Bay Packers tomorrow, but all signs point to the Smoky City lads returning home with their 12th straight defeat, instead. The Packers always are tough to beat and especially on their home field. Despite the fact that Curly Lambeau's elevens usually are known to hit their peak in midseason, they appear to have swung into their stride already. They lost the first two league games to the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams, two of the best in the circuit, but zoomed back with a surprising 19-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week. The talk here is that Lambeau has 'em rolling now. The Steelers found themselves on the short end for tomorrow's game, the Packers being picked by anywhere from 10 points to two touchdowns. But being underdogs is nothing new to Pittsburghers. They were doped to lose to the Washington Redskins by at least 14 points but came out of that battle with a tie that almost won it in the last minute. The Giants were rated far superior to the Steelers, yet Dr. Jock Sutherland's team spotted them 17 points and scared 'em to death by bagging two last half touchdowns. The Steelers will be in better shape physically and mentally for Green Bay tomorrow, than they were last Sunday when they cantered to an easy 16-7 win over the Boston Yanks at Forbes Field. Big Joe Coomer, who was held out of the Boston game and has had two weeks' rest, will resume his tackle chores tomorrow. Right halfback Max Kielbasa also is ready and so it right halfback Cullen Rogers...CONDIT ON DOUBTFUL LIST: There is one uncertainty in the Pittsburgh array. Merlyn Condit's bruised ribs have been slow to heal and he may be kept out of the starting lineup. Likely he won't be used unless he's desperately needed. If he doesn't start, Bill Dutton, who took over at right half last week, will be in his place. The Packers have power in both land and air. Ted Fritsch spearheads their attack from fullback and Irv Comp is the deadly passer.
RIVAL FOOTBALL LEAGUES FACE FIRST GATE TESTS
OCT 19 (New York) - With the World Series excitement out of the way, professional football undergoes its first real attendance test of the 1946 season this weekend. The first real conflict of the rival big leagues, the long established NFL and the new All-America conference, takes place in New York, where the Giants make their home debut Sunday against the Chicago Cardinals after the Yankees take on the Brooklyn Dodgers in a Saturday night game. Los Angeles, a disappointment so far, will be tested as a site for big time professional football when the Rams play their second home game of the season against the Detroit Lions Sunday. In Sunday's other National league games the Chicago Bears, topping the western division with two victories and a tie in three starts, take on the once beaten Philadelphia Eagles; the Washington Redskins, eastern division leaders, visit Boston to play the last place Yankees and the Green Bay Packers play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers. All-America conference competition for the weekend began with two Friday night games and ends Sunday with the unbeaten Cleveland Browns entertaining the Los Angeles Dons. In New York the Giants, on the rebound after a defeat in Washington, take on a Cardinal team that has two special attractions for Gotham fans. One is Ward Cuff, who makes his first appearance with a visiting team after a long career as a Giant, and Paul Christman, the passer who once did some fancy throwing for the University of Mississippi and who has sparked the Cards' attack this fall. The Yankees offer as a rival attraction the first home appearance of Frank Sinkwich, former Georgia and Detroit star, and a natural rivalry against Brooklyn, whose No. 1 performer is Glenn Dodds, another fine passer. The Yankees are first and Brooklyn second in the eastern division of the conference. Los Angeles, new to pro football this year, has not produced any of the huge turnouts that both circuits expected, but the transplanted Rams hope Sunday's game will be the turning point. The Cleveland-Los Angeles Dons' tussle is another one-two clash in the western division standings with the Dons needing a victory to stay in the race for a spot in the post-season playoffs. Washington and the Chicago Bears are the only undefeated teams in the National league, heading their respective divisions with two victories and one tie apiece.
THEY EASE OUT QUIETLY, THOSE OLD PROS
OCT 19 (New York) - They ease out of the picture so quietly, these old football pros, that you hardly know they are gone until someone easily mentions their names, then you realize that a dozen or so burly fellows who played such an important part in the development of the game over the last decade have been replaced by younger players. They left marks in the NFL for the youngsters to shoot at, did some of these retiring veterans. Durable, capable athletes such as Don Hutson and Mel Hein do not appear on the scene too often. Hein was a standout for 14 years. Hutson was an 11 year headache for opposing pass defenses as Green Bay's phantom end. They are just two of the departing greats. There is Joe Laws, the former Iowans, who finished a 12 year pro career with the Packers last year. And George Cafego, the onetime Tennessee great, who ended a four year career with the Boston Yanks. Gene Ronzani called it quits after eight years with the Chicago Bears, and Pete Gudauskas retired after a four year stint at guard for the same team. Conway Baker, the Shreveport cop, figured 10 years as a guard for the Chicago Cardinals was enough, and Joe Carter ended his 11 year career as an end with the same team last fall. And there was Bill Callihan of Detroit, a vet of seven years, and Andy Farkas, a fullback for the Lions for eight seasons. Green Bay fans miss squatty Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg, a guard with 13 years as a pro behind him, and Leland Shaffer, for 10 years a flashy back, no longer cavorts with the New York Giants. Arnie Herber, a campaigner for 11 years, finished his career with the Giants last fall with a brilliant passing exhibition against the Philadelphia Eagles, and Ted Doyle ended an eight year pro hitch in 1945 as guard with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And so they depart, easing silently out the back door as the fresh crop of athletes storm in the front way to take over the headlines. What happens to them? Most of them have saved their money and established businesses of their own or accepted responsible positions. They are college men, and knew when they started in the pro game it never could be a career so they prepared for that day when the old legs just could not take it any longer. The clubs have often helped their athletes prepare for the day when the uniforms are stowed away for keeps. George Halas of the Bears always held out a sizable chunk of the salary until the end of a season so that no player would go home without a fat check. Detroit has always tried to line up permanent business connections for its players, as Ted Collins is doing at Boston this year, and the way Green Bay takes care of its athletes is common knowledge. The average pro football career is probably about four years. If the players are smart, which most of them are, they can build the foundation for their life work during that time.
PACKERS AND STEELERS MEET IN BAY SUNDAY
OCT 20 (Green Bay) - The Pittsburgh Steelers have never beaten the Green Bay Packers, which is something distinctly in Green Bay's favor. But that is about all that will be in Green Bay's favor when Curly Lambeau, after two games on the road, unties his Packers on their home field again against Jock Sutherland's revitalized Pittsburgh eleven Sunday afternoon. All this is not to say that the Packers are underdogs. They are not. But the days in which they could take the field against a Pittsburgh eleven and be sure of the result are over. Sutherland, the old wizard with the University of Pittsburgh who turned out some of that school's greatest teams, has applied the same magic to the Steelers. At the moment, in fact, his Steelers, lead by Bill Dudler, the old Virginia all-Americans, have a loftier ranking than Green Bay. The Steelers have beaten both the Chicago Cardinals, 14-7, and the Boston Yankees, 16-7, and have bowed in a nip and tuck game only to the New York Giants, 17-14. The Packers, after successive lickings at the hands of the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams, defeated the Philadelphia Eagles last week. The game figures to be a tossup, with the Steelers pinning their hopes on their well conceived and solid ground attack and the Packers on their passing and generally alert and sharp defensive play, which was such a factor in tipping the scales in their favor against Philadelphia. Both clubs will take the field in good shape. The Steelers had a relatively easy time with the Boston Yankees in their last start, and the Packers came out of the Eagle game none the worst for the battle. In Dudley, who played his college football under Frank Murray, the Packers will bump into the National league's leading ground gainer. On 56 plays, the former Cavalier has gained 263 yards. Dudley also ranks with the league's best kickers. On the other side, however, the Steelers will bump into the league's leading scorer, Ted Fritsch, who scored 17 points against Philadelphia last week, boosting his total to 28, and into the league's leading punter, Tex McKay, who has averaged 42 yards on 21 kicks. Dudley has averaged 40 yards on 15 kicks. Lambeau will start the same lineup that opened against the Eagles, with Goodnight and Luhn at ends, Ray and Lipscomb at tackles, Wildung and Pregulman at guards, Brock at center and Craig, Smith and Nussbaumer in the backfield with Fritsch. The Steelers will probably open with Jansante and Davis at ends, Coomer and McCaffray at tackles, Bucek and Fife at guards, Cherundolo at center, and Garnaas, Condit and Compagno in the backfield with Dudley.
