Little All-American?
Shannon
‘The most deceptive runner I’ve seen.”
“One of the best halfbacks in this part of the country.”
Probably the best player in the football history of Southern Illinois University.’
Such comments are heard often when the subject is Carver Shannon, Soutnern’ record breaking halfback and standout candidate for Little All—American honors.
The 6-1, 195-pound senior from Corinth, Miss., has re-written SIU's football and track records. He holds the school individual season rushing and scoring records and the individual single game rushing and scoring marks. In addition he holds the SIU record for most points scored in Interstate Intercollegiate Athlectic Conference play. Also he has run Southerns fastest 100-dash, :09.8.
As a sophomore in 1956 Shannon shattered existing rushing and scoring records With a perlormance in
eight games that netted 604 yards in 99 carries for an average of 7.0 yards per try. He rammed across 90 points that season to lead all league games that also is a recor
In 1957, "Merc” short for Mercury or Long Gone, as his teammateS have dubbed him, scored 82 points and gained 723 yards in 88 carries for a record average of 82 yards. Last year he again played in only eight games because of injuries
In the season finale last fall. Shannon staged a one-man offensive show as the Salukis sunk Great Lakes 36-4. He rolied up 249 yards and scored 32 points against the Sallors to establish new school
marks for individual single game performances
Last spring, Shannon reported for his first track competition. With his great power and ability to reach full spred in a few stops, he was able to clip a tenth of a second off Southern’s existing 100—yard dash
record of :09.9.
Shannon’s deceptive stride and powerful thrust make him one of the most feared runners in the IIAC. Many teams assigned two and three men to stop the “Merc’s’ _ slashing touchdown runs. As a result he has been injured in each of
his last two seasons.
If Shannon can stay healthy for a full sason—I don't know to what heights he can rise,’’ Head Coach At