The Midwest

THE DOPE: The Falcons at the conclusion of the season will be back at their old stand in the Mid-American Conference. In the past four years they have finished between first and third, and they should be in between that this year. Coach Doyt Perry, a disciple and former aide to Ohio State's Woody Hayes, has a sharp-throwing quarterback in Bob Colburn (87 attempts, 46 completions for 52.9%). Colburn has two crack catchers in End Tom Colaner and Halfback Bernard Casey, last season's leading receiver (16 receptions). With only plunging Fullback Jerry Dianiska and Halfback Casey as the main running threats, the Falcons will have to revise their offensive thinking. The line at both end and tackle still impresses, for here they have all-conference hopefuls in Colaner and Tackle Bob Zimpfer. At center is strong but untried Sophomore Ray Kwiatkowski, while the guards, Dan Roberds and Jerry Colaner, have no backers.

SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 7, lost 2, tied 0

SEPT. 26 at Marshall, N (21-7)
OCT. 3 Dayton (25-0)
OCT. 10 Western Michigan (40-6)
OCT. 17 Toledo (31-16)
OCT. 24 at Kent State (7-8)
OCT. 31 Miami (Ohio) (14-28)
NOV. 7 at Southern Illinois (no game)
NOV. 14 Delaware (no game)
NOV. 21 at Ohio University (33-6)

CINCINNATI
Cincinnati
Colors: Red and black

THE DOPE: The Bearcats might appear like easy pickings to the rest of the Missouri Valley Conference; but beware. Coach George Blackburn lost seven starters from last year's team, including the entire backfield except for Quarterback Jack Lee. But at end 216-pound Jim Leo cavorts in a manner that excites the pros, while opposite End Dave Canary is a bear for contact, and at tackle Max Messner, a 227-pound converted guard, is a mite rough on rival ball carriers. But best of all is Quarterback Lee, who works the wing T and flanker T successfully, sometimes passing short and sometimes long and most always finding the mark. The empty hole at tackle will be filled by a rangy, rough sophomore, Gus Schmidt, while the fullback void has been plugged by Ed Banks, a burly, fast 201-pound sophomore speedster. The Bearcats may hurt from inexperience early in the schedule, but they should come around fast enough to be a contender.

SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 6, lost 2, tied 2

SEPT. 19 at Oklahoma State (14-19)
SEPT. 26 Dayton, N (14-0)
OCT. 3 at Houston, N (13-34)
OCT. 10 North Texas, N (8-8)
OCT. 17 at Wichita, N (16-16)
OCT. 24 College of Pacific (12-6)
OCT. 31 Xavier (Ohio) (14-8)
NOV. 7 at Tulsa (15-6)
NOV. 14 Marquette (15-0)
NOV. 26 Miami (Ohio) (18-7)

DAYTON
Dayton
Colors: Blue and red

THE DOPE: The Flyers, though long on linemen, are almost backless. Coach Bud Kerr must look to the sophomores to fill the backfield positions as the 1958 returnees don't have the talent to man his spread T formation. Sophomore Dan Laughlin has moved into the starting quarterback position by showing running ability along with a deft ball-handling touch, but he has yet to indicate any particular skill as a passer. Sophomores Milton Kam, Frank Gniazdowski and Joe Grieco will be shifted to starting roles to give the Flyers more offensive go. The line is liberally endowed with strong, fast workers, and there is not only quantity here but also quality. End Tony Latell, 6 feet 1 inch, 215 pounds, proved to be tough on defense and a pass-catching glutton. The Flyers will also have strong linebacking due to Guard Steve Palenchar, a 5-foot-9, 200-pounder, who is a hard-charging offensive blocker.

SCHEDULE (1958 Scores)
1958 Record: Won 2, lost 8, tied 0