ORANGE BOWL
OKLAHOMA
Coach Bud Wilkinson was plagued this season by two things: he lacked quarterbacks of the quality he has had in recent years, and Oklahoma had no real breakaway threat in the backfield. Clendon Thomas, the Sooners' tremendous halfback, lacked enough straightaway speed for the long gainer, and none of the other backs could provide it. Consequently, this Oklahoma team, unlike last year's, had to grind out touchdowns in short bursts off the split-T. Except against Notre Dame, it always got them when needed. The defense—and Wilkinson picks players first for defensive ability—was sound, strong and alert. Led by All-America choices Bill Krisher at guard and Bob Harrison at center, the Sooners contain their opponents admirably, especially on the ground.
MEN TO WATCH
Clendon Thomas
35 RIGHT HALFBACK
6 ft. 2 in., 188 lbs.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
A slashing, hard-to-tackle runner, he has just enough speed to turn the end but plenty of power to drive up the middle. He is the best of the Oklahoma running backs, but he is not a good passer on the halfback option and throws only when he has to. Sound on defense.
Carl Dodd
22 QUARTERBACK
6 ft., 187 lbs.
Norman, Okla.
A strong runner and an intelligent play selector, his principal difficulty lies in his inadequate passing. That is the reason behind Oklahoma's rather pedestrian offense this year. Dodd is an alert defender, good against passes, and he is quick to come up on tackles.
Bill Krisher
65 RIGHT GUARD
6 ft. 1 in., 213 lbs.
Midwest City, Okla.
A heavily muscled, tough lineman, Krisher is a thumping, rough blocker who spearheads the Oklahoma running game. He is agile and strong on defense and only Notre Dame moved him. His best performances were early in the season, but he still rates as one of the best.
Bob Harrison
54 CENTER
6 ft. 2 in., 205 lbs.
Stamford, Texas
Possibly the best blocking center in collegiate football, Harrison makes the Oklahoma up-the-middle attack go. He is a very strong linebacker, reacting quickly and well, and a leader on the field. Harrison is fast enough for pass defense, hard to move out against a running game.
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ROSTER
FIRST UNIT
22 Dodd, QB
27 Sandefer, LH
35 Thomas, RH
51 Morris, FB
54 Harrison, C
61 D. Jennings, RT
62 Northcutt, LG
65 Krisher, RG
76 Searcy, LT
80 Rector, RE
89 Stiller, LE
SECOND UNIT
25 Boyd, LH
31 Baker, QB
33 Carpenter, RH
41 Rolle, FB
53 Davis, C
66 Thompson, LT
68 Oujesky, LG
74 Corbitt, RG
75 Ladd, RT
84 Coyle, LE
90 S. Jennings, RE
PLAY TO WATCH
Oklahoma Dive is the bread-and-butter play for the Sooners; when short yardage is necessary, this is the most likely call. It sends Clendon Thomas (2), OU's excellent right halfback, plunging straight ahead behind the flashing charge of the Sooner line. He takes hand-off from Quarterback Carl Dodd (1), who then fakes to fullback (3) wide, while left half (4) runs a wide sweep to right to help fake.
DUKE
Coach Bill Murray says of his team: "We telegraph our plays and dare you to stop us." This year the Blue Devils have the big, tough players who can make this type of offense work. Using a split-T, they play for the short yardage, aiming for ball control and eventually wearing down the opposition. Although the Duke line is one of the largest in the South with good speed, it has given far more ground on defense than you would expect. Those who have watched the team often this year feel that it lacks fire and plays only as hard as it needs to. This could be fatal against a team with the zip of Oklahoma, whose first and second units never let up the pressure. Varying its power, Duke has three-way passing—by the quarterback and both halfbacks.
MEN TO WATCH
Wray Carlton
27 LEFT HALFBACK
6 ft. 2 in., 196 lbs.
Wallace, N.C.
The team's leading running threat, he is one of the great breakaway backs in the country. With plenty of finesse on the quick hand-off, he is also a threat on the run-pass play, and the back who is called on in the critical situation. Also a good pass receiver but only an average tackier.
Tom Topping
76 LEFT TACKLE
6 ft. 2 in., 204 lbs.
Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
One of the real standouts in the Duke line, he is often overlooked because he plays next to an All-America candidate. An alternate team captain, he plays at top speed throughout a game. Moves quickly and tracks a play all the way but can be double-teamed by offensive blockers.
Bob Brodhead
17 QUARTERBACK 6 ft. 1 in., 189 lbs. Kittanning, Pa.
A fine, versatile athlete who likes to run with the ball and often does on the option. When he keeps on this play he has the speed to turn the corner. Also, watch for him to fake a pitchout, then "hip" the ball and either run or throw. Good passer but throws no more than the halfbacks.
Roy Hord
60 LEFT GUARD
6 ft. 3 in., 220 lbs.
Charlotte, N.C.
Was highly touted before the season as an All-America prospect and, though he played very well, he never quite lived up to notices. Very agile for such a big man, is rated as a top pro prospect. Charges with real verve and certainly qualifies as Duke's best lineman. No particular weakness.
ROSTER
FIRST UNIT
17 Brodhead, QB
27 Carlton, LH
35 McElhaney, FB
47 Dutrow, RH
56 Byrd, C
60 Hord, LG
63 Guy, RG
74 Recinella, RT
76 Topping, LT
81 Thompson, RE
82 Hurm, LE
SECOND UNIT
16 Millner, QB
23 Rushton, LH
36 Dupler, FB
48 Lee, RH
51 Hoch, C
61 Keyser, LG
68 McGee, RG
71 Denne, LT
78 Kersey, RT
86 Lattimore, LE
89 Padgett, RE
PLAY TO WATCH
The halfback counter shows the big Duke power with all its cylinders pumping. In this play Quarterback Brodhead (1) starts to the rear, faking a hand-off to the fullback (3), who charges through left side of line. In a rapid bit of ball-handling, Brodhead then hands to the left halfback (4), who strikes to his right just behind center. The right half (2) fakes around end decoying a pitchout.
ILLUSTRATION
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