O'Donnell, Henry, Noonan, Gannon, Roche, Shafer Head Crimson Backs

(This is the fourth and final article in a series describing talent at various Varsity Football positions.)

They're called the "Goal Dust" twins and they've been getting more publicity on Morningside Heights than General Ike himself. Quarter-back Gene Rossides and fullback Lou Kusserow are on the verge of breaking every Columbia scoring record in the book.

They already hold six such records. For new ones, Kusserow now needs only three touchdowns and 14 points (he scored three times for 18 points against Rutgers last Saturday) and Rossides must add six touchdown passes and 70 completions to his total. Last year Gene completed exactly one out of every two aerials he threw.

Henry to Call Signals

Both men will be in the Stadium tomorrow, hungry for more TD's. To match these aces, Art Valpey has a few color cards of his own. Here's the way the Crimson backfield will probably line up tomorrow: Bill Henry at quarterback, Captain Kenny O'Donnell at wingback, Chip Gannon or Paul Shafer at fullback, and Jimmy Noonan or Chuck Roche at tailback.

Booming Bill Henry's signals should be audible to Stadium spectators as far up as row double-Z. He wasn't around last fall, confining his activities to Varsity basketball.

Back of him are Hugh Edmonds, Phil Isenberg, Mel Freedman, and George Goodrich, all good line-backers. The quarterback in the Michigan system is essentially a blocking back, doing little-ball-carrying or passing. "We can't afford to have our quarterbacks bumped up too much, explains Valpey, because they have to keep a clear, cool head in order to call the plays."

Noonan Heads Passing Attack

Playing the role of Bob Chapius in the Crimson single-wing attack this fall will be Jimmy Noonan, Chuck Roche, and Jim Kenary. They shoulder most of the passing burden. Noonan has been particularly impressive in practice drills, and seems to have acquired more finesse than he had last fall. Roche is another much-improved athlete.

Chip Gannon and Paul Shafer are the fullbacks who will do most of the spinning for Valpey, with Sam Adams next in line. In the Crisler system, the fullback handles the ball on 80 percent of the plays. Gannon, a converted wingback, is always a passing threat when running to his left, while Shafer can split the middle.

Captain Kenny O'Donnell is a definite starter--and on offense as well as defense. "He's a smart player," Valpey says, 'and he picks up a lot of yardage by following his blockers cleverly."

Battling O'Donnell for the wingback berth are two of the most colorful runners on the squad: Hal Moffle and Dave Warden. Both men have a deceptive, disjointed style that baffles enemy tacklers. Warden, a member of the 1947 Freshman team, won a spot on the Varsity by his performances in Saturday game-scrimmage this fall. Nick Athans is also expected to see action at wingback tomorrow against the Lions.