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The 1950 College All-Star Game |
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Appearing before a crowd of 88,885 in the 18th renewal of the game in Soldier Field, Justice and Le Baron captured the entire offensive show away from such names as the Eagles Tommy Thompson and Steve Van Buren.
And once North Carolina’s famed "Choo Choo" and LeBaron began working in the first period, it was a foregone conclusion that the All-Stars, a two touchdown underdog, would be the surprise victors.
Justice, a 5-foot 10-inch thunderbolt at 167 pounds, was the flashiest man on the field in the first half. He carried the ball three times for 91 yards with two jaunts of 32 and 12 yards setting up a one-yard touchdown plunge by Villanova's Ralph Pasquariello.
In the second period he combined with LeBaron for the second touchdown scooting 35 yards after catching LeBaron's pass for a total gain of 41 yards. But LeBaron also was an important factor in this blast. Three times the 165-pound, 5-foot 8-inch College of Pacific signal caller was hit by the burly Eagle linemen, but each time he kept his feet and finally got room to throw (video).
Those were the clinching scoring blasts, but hardly the entire story. For the All-Stars also came up with nearly a score of brawny linemen, as big as the might the Eagles could muster up front, and such collegians as Minnesota's Leo Nomellini and Clayton Tonnemaker, Michigan State's Ed Bagdon, William and Mary's Lou Creekmur and Notre Dame's Jim Martin kept the vaunted pro ground attack at a standstill all the way (video).
On the offensive side, the All-Star line had more class too. Bagdon, Creekmur, Tonnemaker played on both offense and defense, with Oklahoma's Leon Manley, Mississippi's Jim Crawford, Kentucky's Harry Ulinski and North Carolina's Art Weiner also standouts when the collegians had the ball.
The All-Star line at all times seemed to start faster than the Eagles' forwards and this rushing kept the pros off balance all night. Only once when the All-Star team was close to the goal did the team fail to count a touchdown. And then Minnesota's Gordon Soltau, who converted after both All-Star touchdowns, booted a 23-yard field goal for the final points.
The Eagles lone score, though, was well earned, coming on a 57-yard march downfield in seven plays. It ended when Van Buren went over from the one-yard line.
LeBaron, a surprise which head Coach Eddie Anderson pulled out of his hat, went most of the way as the All-Star signal caller. He completed only two passes out seven, the one to Justice for the touchdown and another of 35 yards to Weiner.
LeBaron was described, as too small to throw over on-rushing linemen, but instead it was Thompson who had that ailment. The Stars kept him on the run and six times the collegiate forwards broke up his passes before they reached the secondary. In addition three Thompson passes were intercepted.
Justice finished the game with 133 yards gained in nine carries and also completed a 10-yard pass to Weiner.
The All-Star victory, sixth in the series in which the Pros have won nine with two ties, was honest revenge for Anderson. The Holy Cross coach, directed the 1940 college squad which lost to the Green Bay Packers, 45-28, but Friday night his team was never in .danger and was in control all the way. |
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Charlie Justice of North Carolina breaks loose on 35 yard run against the Eagles. |
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Villanova's Ralph Pasquariello scores on a one yard run in the first half. |
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Notre Dame's Leon Hart in All-Star uniform.
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CHICAGO
, Aug 11 (U.P)- Charlie Justice and Eddie Le Baron, a couple of football
midgets, used gridiron speed and savvy along with a brawny line Friday
night to lead the College All-Stars to an upset 17-7 victory over the
National Football League Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
