East Texas State's 1948 grid curtain-raiser turned out to be a real hair-raiser for the fans as the Lions outclawed the Hardin Indians 13-12 on the Tribe's Wichita Falls reservation. Ironically, the Lions, who were later to win the title of the "passingest team in the loop," went via the ground route for both tallies. The first came early in the third period when tailback Bobby Griffin plunged over from the two, highlighting a sustained drive sparked by wingbacks Dave Hurst and Bobby Wilkinson. Hardin came back strong in the final stanza with two lightning-fast aerial drives that paid off in points and gave them a 12-6 lead. The Indians were honing their tomahawks for the scalping when East Texas' ground attack once again got into high gear. An 80-yard drive, climaxed by Griffin's 27-yard trip to paydirt, tied up the game at 12-12. The versatile red head completely made it "Griffin Day" at Coyote Field when his conversion try split the uprights, clinching the game for the Lions. On the defensive ledger the play of tackle Bill Stamps, and center George Roach, as well as that of backs Bill Engle, Dave Hurst and Captain Tom Ramey, shone the brightest.