PLAYERS-OF-THE-YEAR

In a season of fast-&-furious substitution, Southern Methodist's "iron man," Quarterback Doak Walker, played 48 minutes out of every 60. When he was on the bench, the team seemed lost. Doak carried the ball, threw passes, did the punting, called signals, scored eleven touchdowns, kicked 22 points after touchdown, blocked viciously--and, outside of Arkansas' Clyde Scott, was probably the best defensive back in collegiate football. He weighed only 168 Ibs.

Last week, Doak Walker won the Heisman Trophy, awarded the "player-of-the year," following in the footprints of Johnny Lujack (1947), Glenn Davis (1946) and Doc Blanchard (1945). Said soft-spoken Doak, who does not seem as impressed with himself as everybody else is: "I sure appreciate it."

He was everybody's All-America. Only two other players, both linemen, were unanimous on the big All-Americas (Collier's board of coaches, Look's Grantland Rice, the A.P., U.P. and Sporting News).

One was Minnesota's 250-lb. Tackle Leo Nomellini, amateur boogie-woogie pianist and short-order cook who never played football in high school. Extremely fast for his weight, Leo was the star of the line that held Michigan's great offense to 22 yards net gain by rushing. The other lineman was Penn's 220-lb. Center Chuck Bednarik, alias The Clutch, a bear for handing out punishment.

Selectors gave special consideration to men who played both offense and defense (an increasing rarity under the two-platoon system). This favored all-around players like Notre Dame's Lineman Leon Hart, and made it tough on headline heroes like Army's Stephenson and Stuart, who rode the bench when the other team had the ball.

No University of Southern California player made All-America--though U.S.C. gloriously wound up the season last week by tying Notre Dame, 14-14. The tie broke Notre Dame's string of victories at 21, one more than Knute Rockne's record.

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