Sport: Hail the Halfbacks

Just as the season has produced no football team that towers head and shoulders above all the others, it has uncovered no single outstanding player in the tradition of Minnesota’s Bronko Nagurski (1929), Michigan’s Tom Harmon (1940), Ohio State’s Hopalong Cassady (1955). Instead, All-America selectors—and the pro teams—will have to choose among a large group of topflight, if not superhuman players.

As always in the T formation world of football, the congestion of good players is heavy at quarterback. Three of the year’s best are California’s Joe Kapp, a vicious blocker and tackier who has completed 52 of 87 passes, run for a surprising (for a quarterback) 540 yds.; Iowa’s pass-happy Randy Duncan (91 completions in 151 tries); and Notre Dame Newcomer George Izo, who was promoted to the first string only at midseason, has since completed 47 out of 77 passes for seven touchdowns. But 1958 may be best remembered as the year that topflight halfbacks sprang up all over the U.S. On late-season form, some who have proved themselves among the best:

Billy Cannon (Louisiana State) is a shattering, run-over-them power sprinter, has gained 569 yds. against defenses specifically rigged to contain him. An adequate passer, dependable kicker and sure-tackling safety man, Cannon also finds time for track and field (9.5 sec. for the roo-yd. dash, 53 ft. 7 in. with the 16-lb. shot), even does some weight lifting, can press 260 Ibs., dead-lift 450. Says Track and Field News: “He’s either the fastest shotputter or the strongest sprinter in track annals.” Says the legendary Sammy Baugh: “Well, he’s as great as any back I ever laid eyes on.”

Bill Austin (Rutgers) was just another promising football player when he graduated from Scotch Plains (N.J.) high school, but blossomed under the Rutgers single wing into a one-man wrecking crew. Apparently nothing more than a straightaway runner, he has deceptive change of pace, is the nation’s second leading major college scorer (72 points), has gained 663 yds. rushing, 284 more passing, despite injuries, yet is notably detached for a big-time star. Says Austin: “At Rutgers football has been a part of college, not college a part of football. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

Pete Dawkins (Army) is something more than a fine halfback. He is captain of the team, first captain of the cadet corps, president and seventh-ranking scholar of his class, hockey defenseman and musician (he plays four instruments). In Army’s new wide-open offense, Dawkins specializes in slashing runs to the weak side, is the team’s top pass receiver and the nation’s leadiRg scorer (74 points).

Bob Anderson (Army) teams with Dawkins to give Army the year’s most devastating halfback combination. On All-America last year and a better all-round player than Dawkins, Anderson shows powerful drive to the strong side, where the going is toughest, passes as well as most quarterbacks, blocks and tackles with fierce efficiency.

Dick Bass (College of the Pacific) was sought by 26 colleges before going to Pacific. A husky 189 Ibs., Bass is extraordinarily nimble, cuts, dodges and weaves his way through opposing secondary like a destroyer through a minefield. Though playing on a team that has no other threat to keep opponents from ganging up on him, Bass leads major colleges in rushing yardage with 1,037 yds. Fortnight ago he had a night considered astounding even for him, snaked downfield for three touchdowns, gained 226 yds. against forewarned but nonetheless flabbergasted San Jose State.

Harlow (“Chip”) Ide (Williams) has averaged 8.3 yds. a carry in gaining 938 yds. Playing against small-college competition, Chip Ide’s talents are virtually unknown outside New England, but Coach Len Waiters says admiringly: “He’s a breakaway guy who can go any distance. He’s got superb balance and a fine pair of legs. He busts ahead on sheer speed. I think he’s as good a back as there is in the country.”