Cornhuskers Seek Loop Victory Against Missouri

Cornhuskers Seek Loop Victory Against Missouri

It will be the Tigers of Missouri who provide the Homecoming opposition Saturday when Bernie Masterson shoos his Cornhusker gridiron aggregation onto the Memorial Stadium turf for the annual meeting between these old time rival.

Hoping to shake sloppy line play, especially In offensive blocking, and the ever present pass defense weakness, Bernie has juggled the Husker starting lineup. Four and possibly five new faces will be seen at kickoff time on the Nebraska side of the field.

Frannie Leik, Hastings veteran who scales 200 pounds and Gene Wilkins, Omaha 203 pounder, will probably get the nod at the starting guard posts, while Lincoln's Gordie Hall is slated to begin the game at the right tackle slot.

Frank "Junior" Collopy has been working with the first string at the right half back post most of the week and is expected to be in there for the opening kickoff. The uncertainty exists at left end where Willard Bunker and Jack Hazen are waging a spirited battle for the starting nomination.

Although the Missouri squad does not boast a passer of the Paul Christman caliber, the Tigers have managed to outshine the Huskers through the air lanes. "In six games to date they have completed 28 of 77 passes for a percentage of .363 while limiting the opposition to 37 completions in 109 tries for a .339 rating.

Nebraska, in the other hand, has connected on only 15 of 53 attempts for a percentage of .283 while allowing the other teams to compile a .534 completion mark. This year Quarterback Bus Entsminger, who will be sidelined with injuries, Jim Darr and Jim Austin have carried the brunt of the passing, pitching to Kent Bounds, Roland Cakes, and Lloyd Brinkman.

If history should repeat itself, the huge crowd expected to turn out will witness a one-man exhibition, Roy Long, the Blair halfback, established something of a record against the Bengals in 1942 when he amassed 270 yards by running and passing for the Huskers.

All signs point to a sellout crowd which will probably exceed the attendance for the Indiana game a week ago.

Officials: Louis House, William Jewell, Referee; Grady Skillern, Oklahoma, umpire; Claude Cochran, Ottawa, linesman; Cornel Collin, Creighton, field Judge.