|
The 1953 College All-Star Game |
||
|
They found that out Friday night when the Detroit Lions, one of the most determined pro teams in the series history, gave them a football lesson, 24-10.
The Lions left little doubt in the minds of 93,818 spectators at Soldier Field- biggest crowd since 1948- and uncountable TV-radio fans that they will be hard to stop from repeating for the National Football League crown this fall.
They sheared the All-Stars with the fanciest passing barrage ever seen in the rivalry, gaining a record 339 yards in the air. Bobby Layne, who was not supposed to be feeling up to par, personally contributed 323 yards by hitting on 21 of 31 tosses.
The Lions picked up 134 yards on the ground.
The All-Stars were virtually stymied, by comparison. With the Lions setting up a new defense with each new opposing quarterback. Jack Scarbath of Maryland (who will be with the Washington Redskins), Dale Samuels of Purdue (Chicago Cardinals), and Tommy O'Connell of Illinois (Chicago Bears) combined for a mere 80 passing yards. They connected on only nine out of 27.
Meanwhile, Gib Dawson of Texas, Buck McPhail of Oklahoma and Don McAuliffe of Michigan State mustered most of the running power from scrimmage that totaled 107 yards.
Tempers boiled .at times on both sides. End Earon Blaine of the Lions and Tackle Gilbert Kline of the All-Stars were ejected from the game in the third period. They started swinging and had to be separated by teammates.
In the fourth Ed Bell, Pennsylvania's great end, and Back Ollie Cline of Detroit went for each other but were quickly subdued and remained in the contest.
"The Lions were one of the best pro teams I've seen," said Head All-Star Coach Bobby Dodd of Georgia Tech. "They were three touchdowns better than the Los Angeles Rams who beat us 10-7 last year. We knew Layne could throw, but we didn't count on such fantastic catching by Hart and Box."
Co-captain George Morris of Georgia Tech said "The Lions had too much poise- they had 11 great men on the field."
Coach Buddy Parker of the Lions said he was surprised by the All-Stars' offense and how well they moved the ball, but had "expected they would be much better defensively."
"Condition was our answer," Parker added.
"I guess we could have played all night," remarked Hart. "We had only one time out."
Layne said he detected "plenty of weaknesses" in the All-Star defense. "They concentrated on not letting our receivers get behind them and there was nothing to do but pass in front of them."
"We should have had about three more touchdowns," chimed in 31-year-old Pat Harder, bull-like fullback. "We were a little ragged and those penalties hurt."
The Lions jumped into a 10-3 halftime lead, scoring a touchdown in the first period on an 80-yard thrust in 10 plays. Layne's toss to Hart, who lateralled to Walker, covered 47 yards and was the key play. Bob Hoernscheyemeyer ploughed the last yard on fourth down.
Walker booted a 10-yard field goal in the second period and Dawson placekicked one for 30 yards for the All-Stars before the halftime gun.
The Lions struck for 74 yards in seven plays in the third quarter with Layne spearing Box for 53 yards and finally hitting him for the final nine to score.
Detroit made it 24-3 out at the outset of the fourth, slamming 96 yards in 15 plays with Layne alternating on passes to Hart, Walker and Box. Hoernschemeyer barreled over from the two.
The All-Stars showed signs of life midway in the finale when Jim Sears of Southern California raced 73 yards on a punt return and Dawson sped 17 more to score.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Bob Hoernschemeyer scores first period touchdown for Lions.
|
||
|
|
||
|
Ohio State's Fred Bruney (33) knocks ball away from Detroit's Cloyce Box in the endzone.
|
||
|
|
||
|
The Lions' Doak Walker runs for ten yards behind blocking of Pat Harder. |
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
CHICAGO,
Aug 14 (AP)- It's just as well that most of the College All-Stars move
on today to join their respective pro teams now in training. They have a
lot to learn.
