WASHINGTON VS. WISCONSIN
WASHINGTON
Brawny and tough
As a team the Huskies are very much like Wisconsin in that they are stout defensively, are deficient in backfield speed and rely heavily on outstanding quarterbacks. There are three important differences, though, and two of them favor Wisconsin: more beef in the Badger line and backfield and greater maturity over-all (Washington has 10 juniors and one sophomore on its starting unit, Wisconsin has no fewer than nine seniors). The third difference, however, could offset the first two. Washington passes more frequently than Wisconsin and with greater effect. In Bob Schloredt, Coach Jim Owens has a first-class field leader who completed 39 of 75 passes for 733 yards during the season. If Schloredt can hold the Husky offense together, as he so often has this year, the game is going to be extremely close. It also may be the most dramatic of the bowl games, with Schloredt and Wisconsin's Dale Hackbart engaged in a suspenseful duel. Their excellent replacements—Bob Hivner for the Huskies and Jim Bakken for the Badgers—can carry on the battle if either is hurt. Don't be surprised if all get a tremendous rush. Toughness will win this game.
WISCONSIN
Brawnier and tougher
The big, experienced and somewhat conservative Badgers are often most impressive when the other team has the ball. Few other squads, if any, can inflict as much sheer physical punishment. By ferocious (and, from all accounts, clean) tackling, they have sent to the infirmary some of the best players they opposed this year. Keep an eye on Linebacker Jerry Stalcup and Tackle Dan Lanphear; they are the chief executioners among the brawny interior linemen (average weight: 221 pounds). The secondary, once shaky on pass defense, found its bearings at midseason and is now adequate, although it could be fooled by a long one from Schloredt. Coach Milt Bruhn's offense is heavily weighted toward running. The backs are big, too, and are bruising runners to a man, but, except for Quarterback Hackbart, slow of foot. Grant Washington its marvelous condition and mental toughness, grant it a more effective passing game, but respect that Wisconsin line. The Badgers have recovered from their late-season weariness and are burning to make amends for their 1953 Rose Bowl defeat, the only postwar loss by a Big Ten team at Pasadena.
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ILLUSTRATION
PHOTO
BOB SCHLOREDT: ONE-EYED QUARTERBACK
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DALE HACKBART: ROLL-OUT RUNNER