JOCK SUTHERLAND
BATTING 1.000 AGAINST THE STEELERS
For many years Dr. Jock Sutherland was in the habit of winning college football games for the University of Pittsburgh; since he deserted the campus for the pro ranks he has made a clean sweep of two engagements with the team from the old home town, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Last September 29th the Silent Scot came back to his former haunts for the first time with the Brooklyn Dodgers. His team had lost its opener to Washington's Redskins, destined to be the eastern champions. On the other hand the Steelers looked like they might go places. They had one victory and two ties to their credit in three starts.
A throng of 26,618, third largest in Steelers history at Forbes Field, was out to welcome their former hero. Late in the first quarter the Dodgers gobbled up a fumble by Chester (Swede) Johnston, veteran local fullback, on the Dodger 47. Five plays later they had scored on a one yard line plunge by Pug Manders with Ace Parker converting.
The Steelers got a 21 yard field goal by Armand Niccolai in the second quarter and Brooklyn added a 27 yard placement by Ralph Kercheval in the third quarter to make the final score 10-3 for Dan Topping's Club.
Heartbreaking to local fans was George Platukis' failure to run 5 yards for a touchdown with a blocked field goal try. Platukis stepped out of bounds with no enemy player near, figuring the ball was dead.
It wasn't so close in the return game on October 13th at Ebbets Field. The Dodgers got off to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, added seven more in the last and romped home with a 21-0 victory.
There's been lots of excitement around Steeler offices this autumn as Bert Bell, then Buff Donelli tried their hands at coaching. Now big Walter Kiesling is back on the job he held in both games against Dr. Sutherland last season. He figures the third time is going to be Pittsburgh's time to do the shouting.
Article and image from November 16th official programme 1941.
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Editor's note: Not a good year for the Steelers, who finished 1-9-1, but won this game 14-7.
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