WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Fall 2016

Splitting the Uprights

BY CONNIE KACHEL WHITE

John Potts

John Potts, Wichita State’s freshman kicker,  scored a 37-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second game of the “Second Season.”

Although the Shockers lost the contest, 35-5, the Homecoming 1970 Cessna Stadium crowd of 27,210 went wild with pride each time WSU Scored: for Potts’ field goal and for a fourth-quarter safety as Tony Sears tackled Cincinnati’s quarterback in the end zone. 

There were other game highlights as well, including WSU freshman quarterback Rick Baehr’s 31-yard gain behind a block by Bill Moore to the Cincinnati two-yard line.

Wichita State’s 1970-71 football schedule, divided by tragedy into a “First Season” and a “Second Season,” was this: Games against Utah State (Oct. 3) and Southern Illinois (Oct. 10) were canceled, and the game against Cincinnati, slated for Oct. 17, was moved to Oct. 31. 

Nine days after the crash, the Shockers voted 76-1 to continue playing. WSU was given permission by the NCAA to use freshmen, who were ineligible in those days.

FIRST SEASON: 

vs. Texas A&M, 14-41, L 

vs. Arkansas State, 14-53, L

vs. West Texas State, 0-43, L  


SECOND SEASON: 

vs. Arkansas, 0-62, L

vs. Cincinnati, 5-35, L 

vs. Tulsa, 12-21, L 

vs. Memphis State, 6-41, L

vs. North Texas State, 24-41, L

vs. Louisville, 24-34, L 


LOOK BACK

Second Season okayed; Frosh to varsity squad

Being in War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 24, 1970, presented a memorable experience to any participant or anyone in attendance.

Splitting the Uprights

John Potts, Wichita State’s freshman kicker, scored a 37-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second game of the “Second Season.”