1968 Football Forecast

Rebuilding both the offensive and defensive lines will be the major concern for Dartmouth this fall. The middle of the offensive unit and the entire left side of the defensive squad, which ranked first in Ivy League defense last season, were depleted by graduation. Half of the offensive backfield and the key man in the defensive secondary also have departed. As a result, good linemen will be at a premium. A number of last year's Pea Green footballers could help out here, and their adjustment to varsity play will be a significant factor in rebuilding both lines.

Yale retains the nucleus of their explosive 1967 team, and will be making a strong bid for the Ivy crown. Once again this fall the Elis look like the team to beat.

Here is Coach Blackman's early assessment of the 1968 squad's problems and potential:

OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Losses here include quarterback-halfback Gene Ryzewicz, who has sparked our offensive unit for three seasons at both positions, and Captain Steve Luxford, who started every varsity game for three years. Luxford converted to halfback last fall after two highly successful seasons as defensive rover. Playing both ways in several games, and an outstanding leader, he will be missed for his solid running. Last fall our offensive production dropped out of the Top Ten nationally for only the second time in the past six seasons, and this year it will revolve around junior quarter-back Bill Koenig and sophomore Jim Chasey. Both are excellent passers and execute the option well. Koenig saw action last fall working with Gene Ryzewicz, has a strong arm and the power to run when necessary. His pass-completion percentage was not as high as it might have been, but continued improvement should help here. I am confident that Bob Lundquist, absent with an injury for all but the final game last fall, will bolster our running game at halfback, along with outstanding junior Bob Mlakar and senior Bill Donovan. Two sophomore backs, John Short and Jay Bennett, both had outstanding freshman seasons and should contribute to the varsity. Senior Dave Boyle returns at fullback, backed by junior Bill Johnson.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD: Missing here will be All-Ivy and All-American honorable mention defensive back Gordie Rule, but the healthy return of seniors Rick Wallick and Sam Faber, each of whom missed half of last season with injuries, would give us significant help. Also returning in the secondary are sophomores Bruce Saylor at the right half spot, and Jack Roberts at safety. The loss of Rule's major experience will be difficult to offset. Several sophomores have shown promise on defense, with safetyman Jack Bowden, of Snyder, Texas, a leading prospect.

OFFENSIVE LINE: The interior of the offensive line was pretty well wiped out with the graduation of center Dave Skinner; the two guards who had started every game for the past two years, Skip Small and Jerry Kirkpatrick; and the tackle who has had such a fantastic blocking percentage over the past three years All-Ivy Hank Paulson. Junior Ed Smith, who gained some experience behind Skinner last fall, will move into the center slot. Two other juniors, Dave Mills and Tim Schad, look like the pre-season favorites at the guard spots. With junior Jack Wimsatt at left end and classmate John Ritchie at the right tackle slot, we'll be starting five juniors on our front line, along with senior Deke Olmsted at left tackle and Captain Randy Wallick at right end. Several sophomores look promising with 6-2, 225-pound tackle Bill Brooks, freshman captain last fall, a potential standout. Both Wimsatt and Wallick had good seasons last year, are outstanding receivers, and block well. This season the key to our offensive output will be the successful establishment of a solid front line. I feel that we have the potential to accomplish this, but it will hinge on the rapid development of a number of talented underclassmen.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Here again we are faced with major losses, including both of our middle guards, Chuck Wood- worth and Mike Machan; two fine tackles in Giff Foley and Jim Eldridge; All-Ivy end Randy McElrath; and All-Ivy and All-East linebacker Norm Davis, all of whom will be exceedingly difficult to replace.

Starters returning are end Pete Lawrence, tackle Jeff Norton, and line-backer Rick Lease. Lawrence has the size and potential to develop into a truly outstanding defensive end, and Lease has excellent speed and agility. Sophomore tackle Bill Skibitsky is an outstanding defensive tackle possibility, and we could receive solid help from middle guard Bob Kelcourse and linebacker Bill Munich. The team will be bigger, physically, than it was last season, and I feel we have the makings of another strong defensive line.

KICKING SPECIALISTS: Bill Donovan handled the place-kicking last fall, including two game-winning field goals. Lacking an experienced kicker, our punting was a problem with sophomores Jim Burke and Tom Miller sharing the task. Both will return and will perhaps receive help from one of several potential candidates from the freshman club.

1968 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 28 New Hampshire Oct. 5 Holy Cross away 12 Princeton 19 Brown 26 Harvard away Nov. 2 Yale away 9 Columbia 16 Cornell away 23 Pennsylvania away