Football Prospects
Last year, the third season of the Blackman regime, saw the best record in some two decades as a spirited Big Green squad won seven games, tied one and lost one for second place in the Ivy League. The Indians had some breaks on the close games as they squeezed past Penn, 6-3, had to fight back to tie Yale, 14-14, and then barely edged Cornell, 20-19. It was a come-from-behind team for most of the season, but you can't expect this type of team every fall.
Because of this showing some experts, including the Ivy League publicity chiefs and their newspaper cohorts, are already picking Dartmouth and Princeton to battle it out for the league title again in 1958.
"I hope they're right," laughs Coach Blackman, "but we've got our share of problems!"
Again in 1958 the football staff faces a major rebuilding job which is complicated by the more liberal substitution rule introduced after the 1957 season.
"We're not quite back to the two-platoon days," admits Blackman, "but I think you'll find most coaches alternating two first teams at least, and this means that depth will be even more important this fall."
Graduation, attrition and injuries may cut heavily into the Dartmouth squad. At quarterback, Dave Bradley and Doug Fusonie are both gone, while John Baldwin will be unable to play. This leaves only Bill Gundy, an able quarterback and fine punter, but if something happens to Gundy, the Big Green will have serious problems as last year's freshman team produced no real talent at this post. The all-important blocking fullback spot sees the same situation with both Dave Pratt and Gary Finerty missing and Brian Hepburn as the sole replacement of ability and experience.
The halfback situation is better, but here injuries seem to hold the key. Veteran Don Klages and reserve Dave Ward have graduated. Left halfback Dave Bell is definitely out because of a knee injury. Jim Mueller, another veteran left half-back, also has an old knee injury which puts him in the doubtful category. Right halfback Jim Burke has constantly been plagued by injuries and the coaches are keeping their fingers crossed that he'll get through the season. Jake Crouthamel is expected to be the starter at left halfback, with Burke at right half, backed up by lettermen Bill Morton and Jim Henander
Depth is also a big problem on the line. The end situation is not good, with only veteran Bill Hibbs, a reserve, at left end and first-string Scott Palmer at right end along with Roger Hanlon, a reserve. The tackle posts seem adequate at this writing, with Sam Bowlby resuming action at left tackle and Dave Bathrick and Bill Pettway, both veterans, at right tackle. Of course, Captain Al Krutsch can be counted upon to help hold down the center of the line from his right guard spot, and reserve Bob Boye is rated highly at left guard. Ken DeHaven, last year's freshman captain, plays at either guard or center and is, expected to be a valuable addition next fall. The center post should be adequately manned if Bob Virostek, who missed the entire 1957 season because of an injury, can return to the lineup. Bill Colehower, reserve center, should help, but if Virostek doesn't get over his injury, it may be necessary to shift DeHaven from guard to center.
DeHaven along with quarterbacks Len DiSavino and Jack Kinderdine and fullbacks Milt Steinhauser, Bob Marriott and Dick Marrone are about the only players from last year's freshman team who are expected to provide immediate help to the varsity. A lot may depend on how some reserves and possibly some underrated sophomore prospects develop during the early fall.
The 1958 schedule is the same as last year's except that Lafayette replaces the University of New Hampshire. The Indians meet four opponents on home grounds this fall, three of them during the first four weeks (see schedule), which should help to get the Big Green away to a good start.
Despite the lack of depth, the problem of injuries and replacement, the spirit which carried the 1957 Dartmouth team to great heights last fall will not die easily and it is safe to predict that the Big Green football team of 1958 will carry on the tradition set in 1957.
Dartmouth's varsity heavyweight crew which rowed in the I.R.A. Regatta last month consisted of (1 to r) Barry Sibson '6O, Jim Graham '60, Tim Rich '59, Scott Palmer '59 (captamelect), Captain John Phillips '58, Pete Holland '60, Mark Gates '59, Brooks Wrightman 60, and Coxswain Pete Collins '59 (kneeling).
