Sport: Explosion

Lieut. Colonel Earl Blaik is a patient, meticulous man; wartime West Point and its hard-studying, hard-drilling Cadets are right out of a football coach’s dream. For six weeks Army Coach Blaik had carefully nursed his blessings, polishing his flashing T attack, proving his line, patiently pre paring for a payoff. Last week, suped-up to their mental and physical peak, the Cadets exploded against Notre Dame.

The Irish, anticipating the worst, had cooked up a complicated 5-3-2-1 defense, with guards in the end positions and tackles in the guard spots; Army found soft spots all along the Notre Dame line, particularly at left tackle. Notre Dame put up a desperate aerial barrage; Army intercepted eight passes (five led to touch downs). Above all, Army blocked for keeps — on set plays, downfield, everywhere.

A ferocious block by Fullback Felix (“Doc”) Blanchard* helped Quarterback Doug (“Hard Luck”) Kenna sweep right end for the opening touchdown. It was Army’s first touchdown against Notre Dame in five years, and it stimulated the killer instinct in the Cadets’ cheering section. “Get more … get more,” they chanted, and the West Pointers poured it on. Halfback Glenn Davis, with All-America stamped all over him, carried the ball eight times for 83 yards, scored three touchdowns. As the avalanche rolled on, the Cadet rooters changed their chant to: “Hit ’em again … hit ’em again . . .

harder . . . harder.” The final score, 59-to-0, was the worst beating Notre Dame ever took.

*When Head Linesman Dr. David Reese got too close to Blanchard’s blocking on one play, the official went off the field witha dislocated elbow.