September 16, 1960 – Northwestern
Despite the infancy of the 1960 football season, Coach Blair Irvin’s Covington Buccaneers approached the “jelling point” Saturday night at Northwestern where they conquered the Warriors 44-0 for their second victory in as many outings.
Irvin’s machine moved methodically, surely, and seemingly without effort to a 38-0 halftime domination; turned the game over to the reserves, scored once again in the fourth period, put on an aggressive, sparkling defensive show, and in general, controlled the game almost completely. In the first half, the Buccs scored every time they had possession of the ball.
Northwestern never seriously threatened, did not penetrate past the 20, and for all their size and weight, could not cope with Blair’s Buccaneers in any department. Covington’s line, a supposedly pre-season question mark, was pressing the evening long, had the Warriors in constant trouble, and played the majority of the contest in Northwestern territory.
Fullback Bob Hartley’s blasts through the middle of the line accounted for the Buccs’ first two touchdowns, coming from four and eight yards out. On both occasions, Hartley passed to Steve Wells for conversion points as the Buccs moved away 16-0 at the end of the first period.
Early in the second quarter, a clipping penalty nullified halfback Doug Murray’s 42-yard touchdown gallop, but on the next play, the fleet scatback raced to the eight, fumbled, and Tom Iddings picked up the pigskin and went the short distance for the score. Hartley passed to Murray for two more points and Covington led 24-0.
Minutes later, Covington scored again when quarterback Jerry Fessler sneaked over from the one-yard stripe. Hartley’s pass attempt this time failed as the score stood 30-0, but only temporarily. Freshman Bud Weer closed out the first half scoring with a 22-yard burst through the line. A Gene Laughman to Tom Kimmel pass play netted points-after as the Buccs left the field with a 38-0 halftime advantage.
The Buccaneer’s final tally came in the fourth period on Warren Smith’s seven-yard jaunt that capped a 65-yard sustained drive. Laughman’s pass for extra points was no good and the game ended, 44-0.
FROM THE PRESSBOX:
Covington manufactured 14 first downs, the Warriors’, 5… the Buccs lost 45 yards on penalties, Northwestern 10. Covington went to the air but twice, completing none, while Northwestern threw 11 passes, completed 5 and had one intercepted. Both teams fumbled twice, Covington retaining possession on both of their own bobbles and receiving the two Warrior miscues. Next Friday the Buccs host the Tecumseh Arrows at Smith Field.
