Today's Tidbit... The Quarterback as Blocking Back

Today's Tidbit... The Quarterback as Blocking Back

This sequence of images from Arizona's 1940 yearbook shows the team lined up in a T formation before shifting to the Notre Dame Box and giving the ball to the halfback up the middle. The Wildcats’ quarterback called the play at the line and then became a blocker, as was typical of the time.

One caption indicates that Gatchell, the quarterback, carried the ball only three times in the previous season, while newspaper accounts indicate he was more likely to catch a pass than throw one since a halfback handled the passing. Gatchell also played safety, returned punts, and was the holder on kickoffs since tees were illegal at the time.

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