Molloy, Woodsum Lead Powerful Eli Eleven

Molloy, Crimson coach Lloyd Jordan told reporters back on September 4, "will be tough under Jordan Olivar. He likes an open passing game, and they've got the makings of a fine one--Molloy to Woodsum."

But besides its excellent passing combination of Eddie Molloy to Ed Woodsum, the twice beaten Yale team that rolls into the Stadium today has good over-all balance and depth. The Elis have a strong offensive and defensive line, a better than average running attack, a below average pass defense, and a possible "Coach of the Year."

"You Pitch 'em Out"

Molloy, five foot nine inch junior from Fairfield, Connecticut, has come a long way since the last two minutes of the 1951 Yale game. At that time, he had just set up the Crimson's third touchdown with a sloppy pass into the flat; rotund Herman Hickman sent Molloy into the game with this advice--"you pitch 'em out kid, and I'll start heading out of town." Molloy did indeed "pitch 'em out," connecting for four of five for 65 yards and a touchdown. And although Hickman has since left town, Molloy is still pitching them out.

Molloy has been breaking all kinds of Yale records--he has 84 completions in 164 tries for a total of 1099 yards, and eleven of the completions have gone for touchdowns. The statistics are accurate; Molloy is a fine passer who throws the ball where he wants to; against Princeton he completed 11 of 18 passes despite a soaking wet ball.

Woodsum Seeks Record

Woodsum, the other half of the attack will probably set a Yale record in the Stadium today. One touchdown pass--he has caught eight so far this season--will break Larry Kelley's old mark. Woodsum, who often goes way out on the flank in one of Oliver's open formations, is not the fastest end around, but he is one of the most deceptive. A clever faker, he cuts well, and very rarely drops a ball--as witnessed by the 37 he has received for 545 yards.

Jerry Jones, the fullback, is Oliver's leading ground gainer. A fast starter, the 195-pound junior cuts sharply, resulting in five touchdowns and a four yards a carry average. In the Princeton game Jones gained far more consistently than star Tiger fullback Homer Smith.

Pete Shears, starting left halfback has been clipping enemy tacklers all season. Shears, probably the most surprising ball player on the Blue team, has made over five yards a carry, and is a better than average blocker. The other halfback, Hub Pruett, is known more for his family lineage than his running ability. Pruett, the type of running ability. Pruett, the type of runner who needs the blocks, has averaged just under five yards a carry; nevertheless, he is known primarily as the son of the St. Louis Brown pitcher who could strike out Babe Ruth. Six-foot-three-inch Frank Smith will start at right end. A substitute for the veteran Harry Benninghoff at the beginning of the season, Smith took over when the latter was injured and has held the post ever since. Currently the number two Eli receiver, Smith is often used as the main receiver, when other teams start to double team the heavily scouted Woodsum.

The inside of the Yale line was able to move the Princeton line better than any team this year, including Penn. The Elis repeatedly opened up fair sized holes for Jones, Shears, and Pruett.

Left tackle Jim Balmo is extremely fast for his 205 pounds and one of the best blockers on the team. A veteran of three varsity seasons, he is a key man in the Eli thrusts through the middle. Pete Radulovic, the right tackle is also a three year man, although not quite as fast as Balme. Radulovic played one of the best games of his career against Princeton, getting the jump consistently at the line of scrimmage.

Dick Polich, a two way player at guard in 1951, plays only on offense this season. Grateful for the rest, and bounding with energy, he belted Princeton's all-American nominee Brad Glass out of almost every play last week. A one hundred and eighty two pounder, the rugged and agile Polich is probably the smartest lineman on the team. Charley Coudert, the other offensive guard, is a squat 209 pounds, and doesn't move so well as Polich. Coudert, a senior who played jayvee ball as a sophomore, second string as a junior, is the most improved lineman.

Baird Brittingham, another three year veteran is probably the smartest, fastest offensive center the Crimson has seen this year. The alert Brittingham is fast and an excellent blocker; he could start on almost any team in the country.

Against McPhee, However

Roger Hansen, who broke in to block an extra point attempt last week, and Ed Caracciolo start at defensive ends. Hansen had a difficult time last week; playing opposite Tiger captain Frank McPhee, he was taken out almost every time Princeton ran to the weak side. Caracciolo, a six-foot-two-inch 200 pound senior, broke into the starting lineup in the middle of the 1951 season, and has been the best defensive end ever since.

Right Guard Joe Mitinger charged down under the opening kickoff in the Yalies season open with U Conn and made the tackle. It was somewhat symbolic--he's been doing a lot of the tackling since. A hard charger, the Eli Captain made almost a third of the tackles in the Princeton game, doing a particularly fine job stopping Homer Smith. Left tackle Harris Ashton, also played a good game against the Tigers, and has improved steadily all year.

Bill Prentiss, the six-foot-four-inch right tackle is extremely fast, and very rarely fooled despite his relative inexperience. The 215-pound Shugart, left guard, was a freshman star last season, but moved right up and has been starting almost every game.

Top Linebacker

Joe Fortunato, the linebacker, made almost every tackle that Mitinger missed last week, Fortunato played a fine game against Harvard last year as a sophomore--making one costly mistake, when he was trapped on John Ederer's 87-yard run. Only 165 pounds, he diagnoses plays well, moves quickly, and keeps his feet exceptionally well, and keeps his feet exceptionally well, and is one of the main reasons for Yale's strong defense. Bill Hopewell, almost unseeded at the season's start, plays the other linebacker post, though not nearly so well.

Phil Mathias, a sophomore who made several high schoolish mistakes against Princeton will start at defensive right halfback. A fullback as a freshman, Mathias has played sparingly on offense this season, but has a nine yard average for eight carries. Bob Parcells played the best defensive game of any of the Eli pass defenders last week, but even his work was unsharp. The Yale pass defense of Mathias, Parcells and Brock Martin has been weak all year. In the Princeton game, the Tiger's left handed fallback Bob Unger was able to run to his right and complete several very shaky passes. One pass that was called back, was completed to smith with no one within twenty yards of the Nassau fullback.

Brock Martin, brittle during the week, when he misses practice because of miscellaneous serious injuries and sold on Saturday, when he always manages to play, has overcome a badly twisted ankle and will start at safety. Martin, who has played defense exclusives, was Yale's best runner last year, but against Princeton he struggled through with a mangled shoulder; might have saved his efforts. Frank McPhee faked him into the ground in the first quarter and caught a pass from Unger for an 80-yard scoring play.

But the pass defense is Yale's only weakness, and even there it has the edge over Harvard. The passing and coach are excellent, the line good; the running above average. For the eternal Crimson optimist busy figuring an upset victory down to the last point, this warning--Parcells, who tied the 1951 game up in the last minute with the extra point, is back.