Wingback David Hurst is caught by a herd of Buffaloes as he tries to fight his way out of his situation. Hurst was outstanding for his punt and kickoff returns. Making their debut in Dallas' memorial to King Cotton against the tough West Texas State Buffaloes, the Lions, crippled and defeated in four straight tilts, were booked as three- touchdown underdogs. When the "Big Bowl's" ticker-tape like clock had run its course, however, the aerial-minded Lions were sitting squarely on top of a 13-7 score and the Buffs had made the 500 mile jaunt from Canyon just for the ride. It was no fluke victory. Statistics proved that. The first downs were even at 11 each but the Lions had the advantage in total yardage gained, 304 yards, to 247 for the Buffs. The clock was slipping into the last minute of play when the Lions scored their final tally, breaking a 7-7 deadlock. This was one of those games where every player had a share in the starring role. From end to end the East Texas forwards outplayed their heavier opponents and held the Herds' vaunted running game to 158 yards. Every backfield position was handled well, both on offense and defense. But those who like to pick out one individual performer— one star whose brilliance outshines the rest—had little difficulty. Bobby Griffin made the choice an easy one. The Lion sparkplug passed 27 times, completing 13 for a total of 218 yards, including the first score; picked up 30 yards via the running route; kicked nine times for a 45.8 average, keeping the Buffs in trouble all afternoon, and turned in a great defensive game. On the other hand, those who like to argue that no one player is capable of winning a game single-handed also found plenty of grounds for argument in this game. Wingback Donald King made two near-impossible catches to set up the Lions' first score. Captain Tom Ramey and fullback Bill Engle were each on the receiving end of a touchdown toss and each turned in a great defensive game from his linebacker slot. And there was little wingback Bobby (Sheepherder) Wilkinson. He threw only one pass but that was enough to put another hump in the Buffalo's back, for that aerial counted for the Lion tally that smashed the deadlock. The whole Lion team encircles Coach Bob Berry as he gives them last minute instructions before a game. The Lions broke the scoring ice after 27 minutes of seesaw play in the first half. With Griffin doing the pitching honors and King as his principal target, the East Texas eleven moved from their own 13 to the Buff's 19 in three plays. From this point Griffin spotted Ramey with the touchdown toss. Early in the final period the Herd began their touchdown drive which was sparked by quarterback Cloyce Box's passing and climaxed by fullback Charles Wright's six yard end sweep to the double stripe. Melton's conversion tied the game at 7-7. With the game running out and the Lions in possession of the ball on their own 22-yard line, Coach Bob Berry dug deep into his bag of tricks and came up with a couple of hipper- dipper pass plays that confused the fans as well as the Buff eleven. First was a spread formation shift that made guard Bill Seabaugh an eligible pass receiver and that aggressive little lineman turned in his usual dependable performance, snagging Griffin's aerial on the Buff 40. An interference penalty moved the Blue and Gold to the Herd's 19- From here it was another razzle-dazzle play that sent Griffin plunging into the line minus the ball. That hunk of pigskin was resting in the hands of Wilkinson who had taken Griffin's handoff and passed to spot receiver Bill Engle. With the Buffs after Griffin it was a comparatively easy matter for Engle to take the pass and sprint unmolested across the double stripe. Griffin's conversion kick went wide but it hardly mattered as a last desperate Buff aerial attack was spoiled by tackle Charles Dexter's interception.