The big question all week was “How ready is Kansas?” Not only had the weather restricted Jayhawk football workouts for the Bluebonnet Bowl but many sensed an air of apathy on the part of the players. So here it was, just minutes before the Rice-Kansas kickoff before a national television audience.
There was a shifting of feet in the KU dressing room; occasionally a pepper-pot like Rodger McFarland would verbally needle a teammate with something like “let’s get ’em gang.” But for the most part there was an uneasy silence as thick as the damp air. And still nobody was sure how the Jayhawks would respond.
Then coach Jack Mitchell delivered the last pep talk the seniors would hear.
He pointed out that the squad had a lot of seniors who had sacrificed a lot and who had worked hard. He added how pitiful it would be to bid for another chance for victory after the Missoui defeat and then muff it. He stressed the fact KU had to try to uphold the prestige of the Big Eight against the Southwest Conference and that it would be a said trip home if there was a flop.
It was a fine talk, with lots of good ideas. But you still didn’t know how the team would react.
About 2 1/2 hours later, there was a resounding 33-7 answer as the grimy but bubbling Jayhawks whooped and hollered into the dressing room, congratulating each other and living the minute of triumph to the hilt. Mitchell arrived late and had a tough time, but he finally got the gang quieted down enough so he could say:
“I don’t believe in all our days we coaches have ever enjoyed a victory so much or had a game that meant so much to all of us. Thank you, all! It’s sure great to wind up the season this way. Now let’s go to the party tonight and enjoy ourselves, but let’s all behave. If any of you get out of line it will mar the whole deal. We’ve had a great weekend, have a good time, but don’t spoil the reputation of the whole team with some silly act. Thanks ever so much again!”
Pandemonium reigned again as the Jays dressed, gabbed and savored the win before going back the Shamrock Hilton Hotel, and the awards banquet that night. All the players got watches; Ken Coleman and Elvin Basham were honored as the game’s top back and lineman; Mitchell got a gleaming silver bowl victory trophy. Rodger McFarland won a “joke” award as the “lover boy” of the squad.
In short, it was a great event to wind up what had started out as a dismal, wet, dreary weekend. They victory made the day as bright as if the sun had been beaming down.
Basham, who may soon sign pro with Oakland of the AFL was asked if the players had wanted to make the trip earlier, to gave some extra fun.
“It would have been fine, but the weather was bad all week and m aybe if we had come down here ahead of time we wouldn’t have been as scared.” Elvin said. “We didn’t get to work out at home they way we wanted to, and by the time we got here we figured we might really get whipped. We played harder and that fear won the game for us.”
Guard Jim Mills admitted the team “played a lot better than I thought we would last Wednesday. That fear did it.” Tackle Stan Kirshman had another apprach. “I thought we’d do well because the guys were talking a lot about the game during the week. That’s a good sign. But maybe I didn’t think we’d do quite that well. This may have been our best game.” Kirshman also is being scouted by the pros.
San Diego signed John Hadl and the Dallas Texans got Curtis McClinton the second the game was over. Hadl said he considered Rice the best team KU play except Missouri and other Jays concurred. Rice players, meanwhile, said KU was the best teamTexas includedthey had met this year.
There have been all sorts of reports about what Hadl got for signing. One story has it that he got a four-year, no-cut contract for $145,000. Don Klosterman, San Diego player director who signed John, wouldn’t confirm or deny this talk. But Klosterman did say: “John has what it takes to be another Otto Graham and over a period of three years he’s likely to be the best-paid quarterback in football history.
“Hadl has ability, poise, confidence, competivite spirit, brains and daring,” Klosterman said. “We plan to use him at quarterback and in two years he could be the best man at his spot in the game.”
That $145,000 figure, however, seems awfully high and chances are John and Curtis are due to get about $20,000 a year. The important thing now, of course, is for John and Curtis to make the grade, use their money wisely and not wind up broke and tax-plagued in about five years like a lot of other stars have done.
McClinton wouldn’t say what he got, but added, “It’s a great security deal and I’m really happy with it.” He was sought by Dallas of the AFL and Los Angeles of the NFL and had them bidding against each other. Lastest reports were that Curtis got $100,000 for three years plus a $10,000 bonus for signingfor a total of $110,000.
Curt had a moment of excitement after the game. He thought his bonus check had been stolen from his clothing but then remembered he’d given it to a teammate to keep for himfor safety’s sake. Whatever they got, John and Curtis did all right financially.
You wonder how “upstart” teams like San Diego and Dallas can pay money like this. Well, they’re bidding hard for recognition and they have millionaire owners like Barry Hilton of San Diego and Lamar Hunt of Dallas. Hunt lost $800,000 on the Texans last year and when somebody asked his dad if the son could afford it, the father replied: “Heck, he can go along at that rate for 113 more years on his mother’s money alone.”
A total of 61,000 tickets were sold for the Bluebonnet game though only about 52,000 were in the stands due to the rain and fog. Word is that KU may get about $96,000 from the game, but after expenses and sharing the loot with the Big Eight and its members, the school will be lucky to come out $10,000 ahead. Still, it was a great victory and one that means a lot to the team and the school after the disappointing upset be Missouri.
“This should really help us recruiting,” Mitchell said. “I’ll bet every high school kid in Kansas saw this game on television. As impressive as we were today, it won’t hurt a bit. Boy, I’m a happy guy, and I’m so happy for the kids, particularly the seniors.”
There were plenty of volunteers to coach the KU Alumni team for next spring’s game. With this batch of seniors and the usual returnees, the Alums should really have a fine team providing the pros will let guys like Hadl and McClinton play.
Another help to KU’s recruiting should be the fact Hammerin’ Hank Foldberg is leaving Wichita U for Texas A & M. Hank is a touch foe. By the way, Bill Pace of the KU staff is a strong candidate for the Wichita job. Don’t be surprised if Bill takes it if he gets the offer. He’s a bright young man with a fine future, and he played at KU under Mitchell.
Only semi-serious injury for KU was a gash on the left heel of guard Ken Tiger. Stitches were required to close it but the happy junior didn’t seem to mind it a bit…”And by the time the party get goin tonight and the dance is under way, I’ll bet The Indian (what the KU boys call Ken) won’t even remember he got hurt.” Mitchell chortled as Ken hobbled onto the bus to go from the stadium to the hotel.
McFarland had ankle trouble the first half but the way he scored his two touchdowns proved it wasn’t serious. What a guy! He was chosen the team’s “top lover” as a gag for the banquet, and the way he kissed the gal who made the award indicated he’s even more versatile than anyone dreamed. He sure fools you with that smooth, boyish face. He had a great year and I look for him to be even greater next year, probably as quarterback-leader.
Nobody had as tough a time as the KU band. The team was back and forth, barely made it in time to appear briefly at the half and then tried to get back Saturday night. Some of those who had to appear in the Christmas Vespers made it, but others had to stay over until Sunday due to flight trouble. There still was motor trouble Sunday. Nobody paid a higher price to appear at the game than Russ Wiley’s band. Russ said he didn’t try anything fancy. The band was tired, it hadn’t been able to practice and “It was better to do a few things well than try too much and look terrible.”
Houston, with its humidity, can be the wettest place in the world without actually raining…When they built Rice Staduim, they really thought it out. Everyone I’ve met felt it’s the finest football plant they’ve ever seen…Speaking of bluebonnets for the Bluebonnet Bowl, both KU and Rice had that shade of headgear…KU center Kent Staab played a great game though he was dealthy ill with the flu all Friday night and Saturday morning… The KU lines were superb, the backs always made the big plays. Considering how good Rice was, this is my nomination for the best game of the year…It may set a whole new trend in coaching…If we can do this well without workouts, I’m afraid people will think we coaches aren’t necessary,” Mitchell quipped…Hadl is really looking forward to playing quarterback as a pro. He and McCliton will leave Wednesday to play in the East-West Shrine game in Frisco later this month…There is talk about having the Bluebonnet Bowl later, after Christmas, to get more people from out of town. It’s a first-class operation and seems a cinch to be continued, getting better all the time…KU made the best impression of any team to visit there, so far. Not only did the Jays play well but their conduct drew a lot of favorable comments…The wives of players, coaches and such really enjoyed the trip, too, even if it was wet and damp. It would be hard to envision a happier group than the gridders after the win that helped KU wipe out some of the bad taste of the MU upset.
