Football

The picture on the cover of this month's magazine speaks volumes for the type of season it has been to date. Picked as co-favorite with Princeton in the Ivy League, the Big Green was finding it a problem to live up to advance billing, but to date is managing to do pretty well. The Indians did not look impressive in their opener against Lafayette, despite winning 20-0. They looked no better against Pennsylvania as they squeezed out a 13-12 win. However, against Brown the Dartmouth team began to gather momentum and clicked for an upset 20-0 win. And against top-ranked Holy Cross the Indians played the best ball of the season, although they finally lost by a close 14-8 score.

Said Coach Blackman after the Holy Cross encounter, "Coaches don't usually praise a team after they've lost, but I am very proud of the way our boys performed against Holy Cross."

Dartmouth has been relatively fortunate in the injury department to date. Several players have missed single contests, but only two serious losses have occurred - both in the tackle department. Bill Pettway suffered torn ligaments of the leg in the opener and will be out for the season, while Dave Bathrick, a bulwark of the line, was injured in the Penn game and had to miss both the Brown and Holy Cross contests. Bathrick may return for the Harvard encounter, but more likely for Yale. Second-team halfback Bill Morton, with a knee injury, also missed two games but played against Holy Cross and seems recovered.

The Dartmouth team statistics for four games are remarkably similar to those compiled by the 1957 team. The Indians have picked up 1,183 yards of which 917 have been by rushing and 266 by passing. The Big Green air offense has not been quite so potent with 64 passes attempted and 30 completed for four touchdowns. Quarterback Bill Gundy has done most of the passing and also has handled the punting chores with a 37-yards-per-kick average to date.

Jim Burke and Jake Crouthamel, starting halfbacks, are averaging about five yards per carry, with Crouthamel at 5.7 yards and Burke at 4.3. Halfback Jim Henander has the best average with 9 yards per carry, while Bill Morton has a 6-yard average and fullback Brian Hepburn has one of 4 yards. Burke is the team's leading pass receiver, although end Bill Hibbs has snared three touchdown tosses.

The coaching staff's chief concern still remains one of depth. The first team, they feel, is as strong as any in the league. The second team is good but some positions are weak, and after this the real pinch is felt. Fortunately, injuries have been few to date, but the season is not half over and the coaches are wary of the games ahead.

Now let's take a look at the games played to date, starting with Holy Cross.

Halfback Jake Crouthamel, Dartmouth's leading ground gainer, skirts end for a gain against Brown at Providence. Bruin quarterback Frank Finney (18) charges over to make the tackle. Bill Gundy (17), Jim Burke (32) and Brian Hepburn (45) of the Green are also seen.