A Frisky Darkhorse Takes

A FRISKY DARKHORSE TAKES A new sense of pride and purpose may overcome some worrisome deficiencies and enable Jim Mackenzie's superbly conditioned team UN A FAST FIELD to run a strong race against a formidable field of thoroughbreds Photographed by Larry McDade Sooner ooner football fans can never be ac- installing . And the word is new. There cused of indifference when it comes is a completely new coaching staff, a to The Game, but this year an un- new offensive formation (see page 9), usually intense commitment-even new uniforms, and new names on the for them-is evident. On the week of players' roster. There's even talk of the opener with Oregon the growing having a new Little Red, the Indian anticipation was as tangible as the student with the feathered headdress new carpets in Washington House and who dances authentic Indian dances as thick as a tackle's neck. when the Sooners score. It is said that Our Casual Observer observes that last year's Little Red had so few op- the Rabidity Count of Big Red sup- portunities to dance that he's forgotten porters by early September was alarm- the steps . But not everything will be ingly high, already at the level of new. Mackenzie intends to stick with Bowl Fever, incredible as it may seem . the Explorer Scout stadium ushers . "I found," he reports, "that when two The most important new element, or more OU people meet, the subject is however, is the pride that is rampant turning to The Game sooner, pardon in the Sooner camp. From Morris the pun, than ever before-at least Tennenbaum, the Keeper of the Prac- since November, 1956 . What's even tice Gate, on up (or on down, if you more indicative of the degree of invol- listen to Morris) there is a fresh spirit vement is that in 89 percent of the of resolve and anticipation . Morris, conversations, other subjects are incidentally, has a brightly painted avoided altogether . Vietnam, John equipment shack (which looks suspi- Lennon's theology, Luci and Pat are ciously like a former outhouse) for the totally ignored on most occasions." first time in history, and he's delighted . The Casual Observer also notes that The players also are happy, and you the average time in discussing The won't find a one in a beer joint on his Team and The Coach has risen drama- off-hours. By now everyone has heard tically. "And," he allows, "I was un- of the weight-loss program the players able to find any clearly defined geog- were put through last spring. The team raphical pattern. Whereas I expected lost 1,437 excess pounds, the equival- to discover avidity increasing in direct ent of five Jackie Gleasons, thus im- proportion to the distance from Ernie's proving their speed as well as their Town Tavern, I couldn't uncover any waistlines . At the August weigh-in, evidence to support this theory. The all came back at the prescribed earnestness did not deviate whether weights, which indicates the spirit was the fans were in A McCall's Coffee Shop undiluted by the summer's diversions . in Norman (where the Townies This very real sense of dedication gatherer),thelobbyoftheFirstNational the team has is probably the best thing Bank Building in Oklahoma City, the Mackenzie has going for him. The Tulsa Club, Short Grass Country, the schedule is certainly no help. About Panhandle, Little Dixie, Lapland, or the only thing to be said in its favor our embattled outposts in Kansas is that the Green Bay Packers aren't City, Washington, Los Angeles, Chica- on it. It does have four of the nation's go, Dallas, Houston, Amarillo, and ton eleven teams as picked by Sports Midland -our people are locked in on Illustrated (Texas, Notre Dame, Colo- the 1966 Sooners." rado, and Nebraska) . The reason for such remarkable The non-conference schedule is suf- singlemindedness is, of cours°, Jim focatin-1v short of breathers . Oregon Mackenzie and the new system he is had the eighth best passing attack in

The 1966 Sooners will be forced to go with a number of inexperienced players, particularly at the crucial quarterback slot where sophomores Jim, Jim Burgar (Id), at far left with Rick Rick Burgess another green soph who will back the line, and Bob Warmack (11) open the season . At the top, this page, is senior Eugene Ross, set as Monster man of defense. In the center are middle guard Granville Liggins (right) and surprise find James Jackson, tailback . At bottom are two injury-plagued future stars, sophs Chebon Dacon (left) and San Toi DeBose .

and understandably happy io have veteransRiley (left) and Ed Hall as anchors al la in the defensive and offensive lines, respectively . At right are the starting ends, Randy Randy Meacham (x (left) at tight end and the redoubtable lieu Hart at split end. the nation last year, and our defensive including his two quarterbacks (see is Ben Hart (above), a focal point secondary will be trying to learn a new page 6) . Bob Warmack of Ada and every time he steps onto a football zone coverage. The Webfoots have an Jim Burgar of Lindsay (note the ab- field. The able and often spectacular end who caught 51 passes in 1965, only sence of the prefix "Super" before Hart is back at split end and eager to 14 shy of the entire Sooner total. Notre their given names) are this year's make up for two extremely frustrating Dame is so good that their coach does answers to The Problem which peren- years. He will be the prime pass target, national television commercials for the nially causes such agony in Norman- and a better one there is not. Another Voice of Music, and Texas is now who to play at quarterback. These two bulwark is Jim Riley (above) who boasting of a superhuman sophomore youngsters beat out last year's man- after a year on defense and a year of at quarterback. under, Gene Cagle of Lawton, who offense is back at defensive tackle, Conference opponents are no easier. showed vast improvement this fall and anchoring a fairly experienced line. Nebraska and Colorado deserve their cannot be conclusively ruled out de- The All-American candidate on de- lofty ratings, and Missouri is almost spite his new secondary defense posi- fense is, of course, the cobra-quick as good. Even Iowa State can beat tion. Of the two quarterbacks Burgar middle guard, Granville Liggins (Page you now. As a matter of fact, they al- is the better passer while Warmack is 7, center photo), an exciting example most did last year. We won't even the better runner and has been more of black power. Whenever Liggins is discuss Stillwater . consistent thus far. in the game, the defense is noticeably To face such foes Mackenzie and There are a number of proven vet- better . The offensive stars are Robert his men will throw a disproportionate erans returning. Mackenzie has sin- Kalsu, the strong side tackle ; sopho number of sophomores into the fray, gled out six as having star quality. One Continued on page 29 On the new coaching staff are (left to right) Galen Hall (receivers) Barrv Switzer (offensive line), Homer Rice (offense), Mackenzie, Pat James (defensive line), Chnck Fairbanks (defensive secondary), and Swede Lee (linebackers, defensive ends). Frosh coach is Larrv Lacewell.

The Sooners were best noted for their This is a squad which combined its efforts Monster man, Eugene Ross ( page 7, great ground attack under Wilkinson, but to lead the nation in rushing with a 391- top photo) who plays the free-lance Jimmy Harris, a terrific runner in his own yard per game a national average, set rec- secondary right, could throw as well as anybody. And ord for first downs in a season (222) and position that is a key part he proved it . In 1956, he completed 23 of 37 outscore all opponents by an average of to Mackenzie's defense. He appears to attempts for 482 yards and 8 touchdowns 46 .6 to 5 .1. By winning its second consecutive have found a home there. Ed Hall and an amazing percentage of 62 .1 . Only national crown, OU retired the coveted (page 8, top photo) another senior and of one those 37 was intercepted . Unsung O'Donnell Trophy . one of the best blocking linemen Harris played professional ball for awhile last Touchdowns and victories and titles were year, and now is working in Shreveport, La., for habit forming . If a fan had any complaint, is set at offensive tackle . oilman Roy Guffey, a Sooner football star it was because things came too easy . No The defensive secondary will be of 1926 . team ever dominated its sport any more small but quick, and sure tacklers . The ends of OU a decade ago were John than the Sooners did in 1956 . For those of How well they have learned the new Bell, currently head coach at Oklahoma us who were not around to see Jack pass defense remains to City Southeast High School, and Don Stil- be seen. DempseyseyfightorBabeRuth hitabaseball, this In ler, who returned to his home town of Shaw- is one of the stories we'll tell our grandchil- his visits to alumni meetings nee to enter the real estate and insurance dren . END over the state and region, Mackenzie business . Emerson today is Dr. Tom Emer- listed three areas which could prevent son, a recent OU PhD recipient, with the Oklahoma from having an outstanding physiology department at Michigan State Frisky Darkhorse team . They are (1) inexperience 11t University's Medical Center, while his Continued from page 8 quarterback and the inability of any counterpart, Ed Gray, owns an oil field more Eddie Hinton, a cinch for star- welding firm in Odessa, Tex. Former guard player to dominate that position ; (2 ) dom the wingback Ken Northcutt owns a private club in Okla- as breakaway the lack of quickness in the line which threat, and Ron Shotts (page the homa City and Bill Krisher runs a boys' 9), can mean defeat, and (3) a lack of in . camp Vermont. Billy Pricer, the great junior tailback Shotts will share the depth . -Mackenzie is not just throwing blocking fullback and linebacker, now tailback position with James Jackson, out the usual alibis . These are obvious owns and manages a service station in Okla- (Page 7, center photo) a senior who homa Citv . and critical weaknesses. This knowl- has seen scarcely minutes Bill Brown played some good fullback for two of ac- edge, of course, fails to diminish the tion in two previous years, languishing the Sooners in 1956, as did Dennit Morris great expectations that dwell in the on the bench. Jackson, seems, and David Rolle. David Baker and Carl it was a chests of all Sooner fans, who can Dodd were the alternate team halfbacks who victim of one of myths those built to never forget those two winning streaks teamed up with hcadknockers like Delbert explain why someone isn't playing. Long Bob Timberlake at end ; Byron and keep asking, " Why can't we do it and Jackson's story was Searcy and Benton Ladd at tackle ; the that he "couldn't again?" turn the corner" and was "afraid to Jennings boys, Doyle and Steve, and Buddy To offset these conspicuous short- Oujesky at guard. Bob Harrison was a hit." If he couldn't and he was, well, comings, Mackenzie has a well drilled, sophomore center who alumni thought he can and he isn't now. His play at proud bunch who have shown willing- would become a cinch All-American . Sup- tailback has been one of the bright ness to sacrifice. And sometimes this porting roles came from men like Dale spots spring fall "King of the Cowboys" Sherrod, Jakie of the and practices. is just enough. He can have a very good year. Sandefer, Dick Corbett, Joe Rector, Ross One thing he didn't list that he Coyle, among others . Also ready for a final go is the new would now is the inordinate amount of injuries . Knee hurts have sidelined a number who could have been helpful, SOONER MAGAZINE recommends most prominent being Thurman Pitch- these hotels, motels, clubs, and restaurants to Sooner lynn who came out of nowhere in the spring to alumni and friends become an outstanding linebacker. Two prime sophomore backs who face careers of mispronunciation have been knocked out with knee in- Coronado Inn Will Rogers Cafeteria juries. Chebon Dacon (pronounced 325 West Main Shh BONE Norman-JE 6-6220 DAY cun), a fine quarter- 75 Rooms-TV Excellent Food back, and San Toi DeBose (rhymes Central Air Conditioning Variety of Choice with Man Boy the Rose) , tailback Fine Food-Free Parking Short Walking Distance to Campus Reasonable ]'rice (page 7, bottom photo), may be red- Singles $5 up -Doubles $9 up shirted this year. Suites $20 up OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL UNION The defensive ends and linebackers F. D. "MIKE" BEHRINGER, '35, MGR. were at one time almost extinct because of injuries, and if such unfore- seen catastrophes persist, the record Ming Room will suffer. Say, Sooner. . . Predicting the national collegiate Excellent Food Lost-cost space is available for your ad- football season is intrinsically futile, Gracious Service vertising message to more than 16,000 and attempting to do the same with classmates . For information, write Ad- one team is almost equally foolish . The Relaxing atmosphere vertising Director, Alumni Office, Union bones of last year's prognosticators Bldg., Norman 73069. JUST OFF UNION LOUNGE are strewn everywhere. But one can make observations and from t them

form highly qualified conclusions. On quate. Offensive Backfield-Good except for DEPTH CHART paper (without figuring in a few fac- quarterback which remains in question . Asterisks denote letters, italics denotessophomores Strong runners, only drawback being the As of Sept . 14 tors like tradition, morale, and locale) new system OFFENSE that must be learned. Offensive WE-Meacham, Denton it is indicated that OU will almost as- Ends-Hart is one of best ever here, but WT Hall*", Butts* Meacham is green, good blocker, rather slow, 11 G Winfrey*, Butts* suredly defeat Kansas and Kansas CKindley * Craig* and could improve receiving. Hart makes SG- Kosmos*, Burns* and Burkett** State. They hold a slight edge over ends better than adequate. Defensive Line- ST -Kalsu* and Bigby Rilev and Liggins could make a green line SE- Hart**, Malone Oregon, Oklahoma State, and Iowa QB - Warmack and Burgar State, and could win those, also. They hold . Adequate if those two stay healthy. TB Shotts* and Jackson Defensive Ends and Linebackers-Uh oh, 11 'B Hinton and Crowder* are inferior to Texas, Notre Dame, here's the big question mark . Weakest spot P B Gary Harper and Stan Henderson* on team . How they DEFENSE Colorado, Nebraska, and Missouri perform is key. Defen- 1.1 : Robinson*, Haynes** sive (slightly) and thus should lose. A 5- Backs-Promising but questionable . L'1' Riley"*, Poslick 5 season would not be surprising . A 6-4 season would be a great improvement over the 3-7 1965 showing, and the Sooners can conceivably attain The University's such a mark. But football is a funny MOST CONVENIENT BANK game, a marvelously unpredictable game, and the best advice is to wait caters to and see. The Sooners are two years or OU Students, Faculty so away from being a power again, and Staff but attend the Norman spectacles if you can and enjoy, enjoy. The 1966 Sooners are going to be an interesting Glenn Couch It's easy to understand why when Eugene Kuntz team, so let your Rabidity Count soar Dean, University Dean, College you know that DNB's officers and Talk Football all you want. END College and of Law ONB Director directors hold a combined ONB Director THE 1966 TEAM total of 11 degrees from OU Evaluation : Offensive Line-Weak last year, question mark but stronger this year . Ade-

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