Canisius College - Azuwur Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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. - ,, e . QTL. , Y Q be U , The season opened on a misty night at J.C. Stone Field outside Pittsburgh as the fired-up Griffins ransacked the Duquesne defense for 28 first half points and coasted to a 41-O victory. Canisius first varsity opponent in 25 years was the University of Rochester, and the Yellowjackets ruined the Griffs' home opener, 18-17. Even in defeat, the infant Griffins impressed most observers with their play against an established var- sity opponent. Three club patsies were next for Coach Brooks and Company. St. John Fisher fell easily, 49-O. Oswego State succumbed 35-6 on homecoming day and Siena fell prey to the high powered Griffin offense, 35-0. The Griffs slumped and dropped three straight contests. Varsity teams Platts- burgh State and Brockport took advan- tage of Canisius inexperience and misdeeds to score hard fought wins. Plattsburgh withstood a fourth quarter rush by the Griffs to win, 29-25 while Brockport 165

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f allovved only 11 points per game. ln- cluded among the fine defensive efforts vvere convincing shutouts of Deuqesne, St. John Fisher and Siena. Linebackers Dan Ferrentino, the team's other co-captain anchored their defensive unit along vvith Ray Jarmarch, but linemen Bob Jachimouvvicz, John Specht, Joe Delaney and Dale Bennett more than held their ovvn in the battle of the trenches. ln the defensive hackfield, transfers Tom Cavallaro and Warren Debievv, ineli- gible for varsity contests, provided some exciting moments against the club teams while rookies Jan Kurzanski 84 Dave Geraci and returnees Nick Silvestri vvere left to battle more experienced foes. 'Km il' '11, .3q?,.:QvMJ5I .Mr . I a - , J :l V 1. -, ' . f 1' 1 fhggj- ' G, Q - QNX! . 164 qs A 4 1 r M ,..w,. 13, , - - -.- 7 v '- , 't' up -5 ' 1 Y wil-d 1 1 vtifk' xr ' u...- s X 17 . ,'l of ,I ai

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ki capitalized on 9 Griffin turnovers to grind out a 26-12 decision. Upstart club foot- ball team Niagara, which went on to a club football bovvl, surprised the Griffs, l7Y'lO in Hyde Park. 'Yet, the Griffs regrouped and ended the season the vvay they began: with a victory. On a cool November afternoon, Tony Kozak directed a late Canisius drive to eke out a 25f21 vvin over Rochester Institute of Technology. Kozak moved the club 89 yards in the final tvvo minutes vvith Geraci hauling in a 36 yard re- ception to set up tvvo Ed VVoIovviec touchdown plays. It was the Griffs' first victory over a varsity opponent. In evaluting the success of the prog- ram, Athletic Director Dr. Daniel P. Starr vvas well pleased. We set out to establish a varsity football program and it's time vve accomplished that goal. Coach Brooks, characterized by his unbounded enthusiasm and unlimited S 5 Q E it :S ,.-v-Q54 0-not-.-.f-4., , w-..- -audi