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The 1937 College All-Star Game |
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By Henry J. McCormick Wisconsin State Journal Sports Editor August 31, 1937
The Packers, champions of the National Professional Football league, saw entirely too much of "Slingin' Sam" here Wednesday night as the rangy Texas Christian alumnus sparked the College All-Stars to a 6-0 victory at Soldiers field before a crowd of 84,560 in the fourth game in this annual football series.
"Slingin" Sam" and another star from down Dixie way, big Gaynell Tinsley of Louisiana State, collaborated on the only touchdown of the game in the first quarter. With the ball on Green Bay's 47 yard line Baugh tossed a forward pass to Tinsley, the latter snatching the ball out of the air on the Green Bay 27 yard line and legging it the rest of the way without a hand being laid on him. Sam Francis of Nebraska missed the try for the extra point.
That was the only score registered in this game, but it was enough. There were times when it didn't look as though it would be enough to defeat the Packers, and there were times when it didn't look as though it would be the All-Star's complete quota.
Green Bay drove to the All-Star's three yard line in the second quarter and appeared to be on their way to score, but they couldn't power their way across. The All-Stars threatened from time to time, but they never got within the Packers' 20 yard line
It was a warm, muggy night and the field was fairly heavy from a heavy afternoon's rain, but the footing didn't appear to bother the players to any great extent. However, the warm weather did aid the All-Stars, for Green Bay couldn't match the collegians' man power
Green Bay used 25 men in the game, only four of their squad not seeing action; the All-Stars used 36 men, about 30 of the squad not getting into the game.
Sammy Baugh, as deadly a passer as football ever has produced, was the standout for the All-Stars. He kicked, passed and carried the ball brilliantly, and he also contributed a fine defensive performance. He was the standout for the All-Stars, but he wasn't the only one to shine.
Others who sparkled against the Packers included such backs as Eddie Jankowski of Wisconsin, John Drake of Purdue, Al Agett of Michigan State, Sam Francis of Nebraska, Vernon Huffman of Indiana and "Bud" Wilkinson of Minnesota and such linemen as Gay Tinsley of Louisiana State, Ed Widseth of Minnesota, Merle Wendt of Ohio State, Averell Daniell of Pittsburgh, "Bud" Svendsen of Minnesota and Mike Basrak of Duquesne.
Milt Gantenbein, former Wisconsin captain and now field leader of the Packers, contributed as fine an all-around game as any of the professionals, but even Gantenbein was made to look very bad defensively
In the first half when the All-Stars showed their lack of respect for the greatest defensive end in football by circling his end on a sweep that found Gantenbein boxed in completely.
Arnold Herber and Don Hutson, Green Bay's famed pass combination, didn't function up to expectations. Hutson caught a few, but he never was able to shake loose for a long gain, and his speed didn't appear to be remarkable in comparison with the All-Stars. Berber's passes couldn't compare with Baugh's for accuracy, and the Green Bay tosser appeared to use too much height on his long pitches, making them easier to defend against than were Baugh's whistling shots.
It was after an exchange of punts that the All-Stars cashed in on their lone touchdown when Baugh whipped a scoring pass to Tinsley.
Green Bay made its most potent threat in the second quarter. Hutson snared a pass and ran 10 yards more after the catch to give the Packers a first down 25 yards from the All-Stars' goal. Bobby Monnett picked up nine yards and Herber added seven more for a first down on the All-Stars' nine yard line.
Clark Hinkle smashed through the middle of the line for four yards and came back at the same place to pick up two more. The Packers then elected to change tactics; Monnett tried to sweep left end but was tackled without a gain and Berber's fourth down pass to Hutson gained nothing because Drake hauled the Packer receiver to earth in his tracks.
That was Green Bay's best scoring chance, for it never again penetrated the All-Stars' 20 yard line.
The Packers were leg-weary at the end of the game, and they appeared to be in far worse shape than the All-Stars. Part of this undoubtedly was due to the fact that the All-Stars used more men, but it's probable, too, that the more youthful All-Stars were in better physical shape at the start.
This was the first defeat for a professional team in this series and the count now is even all around. The All-Stars of 1934 and 1936 played tie game, the former deadlocking the Chicago Bears, 0-0, and the latter breaking even with the Detroit Lions, 7-7; the All Stars of 1935 lost to the Chicago Bears, 5-0.
Those who came to this game expecting to see a lot of scoring were disappointed, but they did see the most open, battle of the four played to date. Both teams used the forward pass often and well, and each mixed a little recklessness in its play. Late in the game, Baugh crossed up the Packer defense when he threw a forward pass deep in his own, territory. It wasn't sound football from one standpoint, but it helped give the crowd a thrill.
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The Packers' defense and helmetless, Lou Gordon (47), move in to stop All-Star back.
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Sammy Baugh returns punt against Packers.
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Green Bay’s George Sauer tries right end.
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Soldier's
Field, Chicago, I11.- If the Green Bay Packers never see Sammy Baugh
again it will be too soon.
The
All-Stars put on a drive early in the first quarter that rolled up four
successive first downs and gave them the ball on the Packers' 27 yard
line. Two line plays, one by Baugh and the other by Francis failed to
gain, and Baugh's pass on third down was incomplete in the end zone.
Francis then attempted a field goal, but his kick was low and wide.
