WITH THE BIG GREEN TEAMS

A FOOTBALL squad generally has a personality of its own, a distinctive flavor created by one individual or a certain group of players. For instance, that 1962 Dartmouth team had an exuberance, a poise, an assurance of success. This was established by the irrepressible Billy King who, two weeks before the season opened, talked brightly and yet matter of factly about the probability of being undefeated.

Last year's Big Green team had a lighthearted attitude. This doesn't mean that it took its practice and games lightly. It could, however, always laugh at itself and see humor in any predicament. Captain Scott Creelman was the type of Dartmouth student who would compose a hilarious parody of Allan Sherman's "Hello, Mudder; Hello, Fadder" for the squad's Variety Show which celebrates the end of the rugged pre-season camp. He .also managed under cover of darkness to plant some corn and green beans on the College Green when Building and Grounds were reseeding it last spring. Another contributor to this smiling group was tackle Jan Dephouse who would appear for all airplane trips wearing a World War I leather aviator's helmet and flowing white silk scarf.

Now it is not yet time to appraise the current Dartmouth team either as to ability or personality. As this is written, only two scrimmages have been held and no revealing road trips have been made. Still it is apparent that this 1964 squad is one of split personality. It may remain like this into November or one segment will become the dominant, identifying factor and determine the theme of the entire squad and season.

In the first place ... and on the first team ... you have a group of unusually quiet and determined veterans. This is the real residue of the last two championship squads. It is typified by Captain Jack Mc-Lean, a small, bristling halfback from Wisconsin. He says very little even when asked a direct question. In three years McLean never has appeared in the Sports Information Office unless specifically sent for. King and Creelman were the type who would drop by to browse through the sports pages and gossip about the coming opponent. McLean arrived at Dartmouth unsung and unimposing in size. He was a substitute on his freshman football squad. He has learned to let his actions speak for him. Recently in a tackling drill a good-sized sophomore back ran right over McLean. There were comments on the sidelines. McLean quietly got up and took his place in the line again. The next time around the sound of impact bounced off Balch Hill and the rookie back was in the training room for a week.

There is still plenty of chatter on this Dartmouth football team. It comes mainly from the large (about 35), boisterous and talented group of sophomores who are threaded throughout the offensive and defensive substitute units.

Bob Blackman's decision to return to the successful three-platoon system of the '62 campaign has provided the perfect vehicle for the current "split personality" squad. The seasoned first team, nicknamed Indians, will play about half of each period of each game. The rest of the time the other two units, termed the Tomahawks and the Savages, will alternate. This means that 33 players will participate in all four quarters of each game. A significant boost in squad morale is the result. You should hear the cheering on the bench from the young Tomahawks and Savages.

This system also provides more rapid development for these young players who can specialize in one phase and gain game experience at the same time. Jack Mc-Lean, who has a penchant for defense, emerged from the Savages to a starting role two years ago.

But before looking at some of Blackman's new warriors let's examine some of the not-too-familiar faces on the promising first team.

For a starter there is quarterback Bruce Gottschall, probably the key to the season's success. Known in the locker room as Dutch, Gottschall is a senior who somehow reminds one of the operatic understudy finally getting his big chance. He is not the type who attracts attention. Last season Bruce lettered mainly as the defensive safety man. Not until the coaching staff reviewed the Princeton game movies did it realize that Gottschall had played an outstanding role, taking part in at least 20 tackles. As a sophomore he was on academic probation. Still he returned with the rest of the squad on September 1 and endured the drudgery of the two-a-day practice sessions to gain experience. It is paying off for the quiet, 6-1 blond now. Gottschall is unobtrusive off the field but he has a commanding voice, ball-handling ability, and confidence afield. At times in practice he approaches Dana Kelly's passing accuracy and he is a much better runner. Recently Blackman was asked which of his previous Dartmouth quarterbacks Gottschall most resembled. "Bill Gundy," answered Bob. For those who remember the great 1959 captain that was all the endorsement needed by Mr. Gottschall.

There also is a new man at fullback. The word "man" is used advisedly. Junior Mike Urbanic stands 6-1 and weighs 208 and his nickname is "Bear." "Last spring Mike tried lacrosse for the first time," recalls Coach Whitey Burnham, "and he made quite an impression. We have a drill in which two players dive for a loose ball. In his first opportunity Urbanic went for that ball ... eh ... enthusiastically. The next time it was his turn, I looked around and everyone was lined up behind Mike. There was absolutely no one in the opposing line." Urbanic was moved from right halfback to fullback this fall after senior Dick Horton decided to forgo football for baseball and a series of mishaps hit the fullback corps. But the hunch is that Urbanic would have wound up at fullback anyway. He still is green on defense and blocking but his potential is unlimited. Watch for Dartmouth to run its fullback more than in the past.

Starting halfbacks are Captain McLean and his roommate Bob O'Brien. The latter dropped out of school with a knee injury two years ago and was hampered by ankle troubles last season. He has been sound in practice and should realize the stardom expected of him originally. Neither Bob nor McLean are big halfbacks but both are solid, two-way players.

Dartmouth's starting line will be bigger but slower than recent editions. The loss of tackle Gerry LaMontagne with a fractured leg on September 5 was a severe blow. The 227-pound junior from Southington, Conn., had been due for a fine season. The Indians still have sound personnel in tackle Pete Frederick, guards Ed Keible and Ted Bracken, and center Bob Komives, all seniors, but are dangerously thin in reserves. Starting ends are two-year letterman senior Jaan Lumi and junior Tom Clarke, the latter a 220-pounder with speed and power. Yet again the reserve strength is dubious.

Two very familiar names to Dartmouth people are listed among the reserves. Bob MacLeod Jr., son of the 1938 All-American halfback, is a 6-4 sophomore end. He has good speed and is regarded as the most improved wing by coach Joe Yukica. A burly sophomore tackle is Chuck Matuszak, son of the 1940 Cornell captain Walt Matuszak who saw the Big Red's number one ranking nationally fall in the famed Fifth Down Game at Hanover that year.

Other promising rookies in the platoon ranks are end Bill Calhoun (last year's freshman captain), guard Bill Sjogren, halfbacks Paul Klungness, Wynn Mabry, Andy Danver and Pete Nistad, fullbacks Pete Walton and Tom Miller, and quarterback Mickey Beard. Beard is a natural athlete who reminds one somewhat of Billy King as a sophomore. He is a sparkplug with that King knack of bailing out of trouble via the big play. Mickey is fighting senior Tim Taylor for the quarterback role with the Tomahawk or offensive unit.

Overall the Dartmouth squad in early season has been more promising than the football prognosticators predicted. It is short on experience behind that first unit and cannot afford more injuries of the LaMontagne sort. Still if quarterback Gottschall and fullback Urbanic maintain their Chase Field form, this could be quite a Big Green wagon during the Ivy League stretch run. Certainly the sophomores are exuberant and plentiful enough to promise another winning personality for this tenth Bob Blackman Dartmouth squad.

The Dartmouth football team's starting line-up for 1964: In the line (l to r) Tom Clarke 218, re; Pete Frederick 236, rt; PeteSapione 240, rg; Bob Komives 202, c; Ed Keible 206, lg; Dave Coughlin 223, It; and Jaan Lumi 204, le. Backfield CaptainJack McLean 169, rhb; Mike Urbanic 208, fb; Bruce Gottschall 180, qb; and Bob O'Brien 170, Ihb.

A rope trick performed by rookie fullbacks Peter Walton (49) of Johnstown,Pa., and Mike Urbanic of Lorain, Ohio.

A decade after he came to Dartmouth, Coach Bob Blackman poses with his staff.Left to right, first row, backfield coach Jim Root, Blackman, line coach Jack Musick;standing, linebacker coach Neil Putnam, assistant freshman coach John Anderson,end coach Joe Yukica, and freshman coach Earl Hamilton.

The ALUMNI MAGAZINE is happy to present as its new sports editor Ernest A. Roberts, who has been director of sports information for the DCAC since 1960. A 1944 graduate of Northeastern University and an Army Air Force veteran, he was college sports editor of the Boston Globe for ten years before coming to Dartmouth. Ernie succeeds Dave Orr '57, who has taken on added administrative duties as Assistant Secretary of the College.