End of a Perfect Year

The build-up was terrific. Sport pages groaned with the burden of adjectives striving to describe the forthcoming super-colossus. And when Army and Navy finally did get down to the business of beating each other's brains out, it certainly was a game of games. But the miracle that would have made it live up to the advance billing was AWOL. So was the upset that incurable hopefuls had held their breath for. When it was over, Army was still the best in the land and Navy was runner-up.

The big show at Baltimore might have produced more thrills if Navy had not been reduced, to half speed almost at the start. On the opening kickoff, Navy's 215-lb. All-America Tackle Don Whitmire twisted his knee, limped through less than half the game. Bob Jenkins, the power runner in Navy's single-wing power attack, was knocked dizzy on the third play, went back to the bench until he could remember the signals. They were the two key men in Navy's expertly-executed trap plays, the team's best offensive weapon.

Through the first quarter, the Middies battled Army's powerhouse on even terms. Then West Point's T began to explode--despite the slippery footing which several times threw off the fine T timing. Quarterback Doug Kenna found a soft spot in the center of Navy's line, sent Plebe-Fullback Felix ("Doc") Blanchard bulling through. When the Midshipmen closed up to plug the gap, Army blockers--with Blanchard generally in the van--shook Speedster Glenn Davis loose on the flanks. As they had done all year, Army's swivel-hipped backs went for distance once they got in the clear. Halfback Dale Hall slipped inside tackle and went 24 yards for one touchdown. Davis raced 50 yards around right end for another (his 20th of the season).

Davis breaking loose, Blanchard bulling through (and knocking down, punting, kicking off into the end zone, tackling for keeps, intercepting Navy passes) these were the stars of the year's best backfield, and they lived up to every pre-game adjective. But West Point had a line as well as a backfield. Any doubt about that, and there was some, was short-lived. The Cadets had the best of it up front, as elsewhere. The score--Army 23, Navy 7--fairly measured the edge of the whole Army team, with its tremendous reserve strength, over Navy minus Whitmire and Jenkins. It was West Point's first unbeaten, untied season in 28 years.

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