ball games. One of the pass interceptions was run back by defensive back Clarence Ellis for 70 y a r d s a n d a first-period score a n d another p u t the Irish on the Tech 10 from which they scored a field goal after the beleagued defense held for a net one-yard gain in three plays. Another fumble placed the ball a t the Tech 16 a n d a play later the Irish h a d another touchdown. I n fact every one of t h e errors except the initial fumble a n d t h e final interception in the second quarter led to an Irish score, which is a n indication of what kind of opportunists this bunch from South Bend are. T o continue their record, the Irish turned a T e c h fumble early in the third period into their closing score midway through the third period, a n d then spent the rest of the evening fighting off threatening gestures b y the J a c k e t s who h a d n ' t been informed t h a t they were expected to fold under such circumstances. T h e final two Tech scores came against the N o t r e D a m e first unit as t h e Irish didn't do much substituting except when absolutely necessary. Jeff Ford's startling r u n with the interception p u t the sophomore from Satellite Beach, Florida in the Tech record book in three categories—the most passes intercepted in a season ( 8 ) , the most yards returning intercepted passes in a season (257), a n d in a career (257). I n the first two categories, the diminutive Ford broke records held since 1952 by Bobby Moorhead, and in the final one the record of Bill E a s t m a n set during the 1965-67 seasons went by the boards. Unofficially, he also broke F r a n k Broyles' longest-re t u r n - o f - a n - i n t e r cepted-pass record set against Clemson as h e ran it back 102 yards to Broyles' 101 but nowadays 100 yards is all you can be officially credited with on return yardage in the college ranks. T h e Jackets also smashed t h e single-season team pass interception record of 23 (set in 1952) early in the second period when Dave Beavin picked off one in the end zone, and in the Georgia game the new record went to 30 as Tech picked u p four more. T e c h got its second half scores on a 38-yard drive that featured a 28y a r d scoring pass from Dexter Hoffm a n to H e r m a n Lam. A Cunningham p u n t return of 24 yards put the Jackets at the Irish 43 and nine plays later, K e n n y Bounds scored from the one. T h e second half was the making of this football team a n d m a d e the final November-December 1969
The freshmen had their share of stars and one of the brightest of them all was tight end Mike Oven, who caught everything that was thrown in his game upset possible. It is likely also that it forged a real winning football team for Carson and his staff for the coming year. For only three men who played any appreciable time this season completed their eligibility a n d the freshman squad, despite its 3-3 record, will furnish the varsity with several football players including a fine quarterback, E d d i e McAshan, who was nothing short of sensational in the Georgia freshman game with his passing. McAshan, operating on one leg because of an injury suffered in the Tennessee game, was the catalyst in every freshman score against the Bullpups and only a bad day in the punt-fielding department kept the Baby J a c k e t s from winning this one. Meanwhile, back at the Coliseum, Whack H y d e r ' s boys, behind the clutch shooting of Bob Seemer a n d
direction (above) and towered over the opposition as did quarterback Eddie McAshan who threw the pass during the action against the Georgia Freshmen. Rich Yunkus, built a 46-35 halftime bulge and went on to win with ease. Earlier in the week, Tech had routed a weak Virginia team, 72-49, in an unimpressive debut. B u t this team showed it was for real when it beat previously unbeaten Oklahoma City, 68-54, on the following Saturday night. Y u n k u s is of all-America caliber and has shown it in the first three games. Seemer is coming strong and J i m T h o r n e is a fine ball-handling guard. B u t the big surprise of this year's team is Bill Mayer, a junior college transfer from California, who has h a d a h a n d in breaking open every game played by the Jackets this winter. If H y d e r can find another guard with any sort of shooting consistency, this group m a y surprise a lot of people before the season ends in February. 31