The morning news., 1892-03-27
MERCER BADLY BEATEN.
6AVANNAH'S FOOT BALL TEAM
SCORED 20 TO 3.


The College Boys no Match for the
Library Association Men-A Big
Crowd Out 20 See the Game but
Very Little Money Wagered on It.
Points of the Game.
MACON, GA, March 26.-Savannahis foot
ball team covered itself with glory to-
day. Their reputation now will be state
wide and it is doubtful il they will be
able to induce another team to play against
them. The score was 20 to 2 In favor Of Sa-
vannah aud that two was only a accident.
The Mercer boys played well and with great
deter mination and spirit, but they were
sadly overmatched. This fact was evident
from the time the Savannah team stepped
upon the grounds, and that moment the
hearts Of Mercer's friends sank within them.
Not one dollar was offered on
the game, though the Savannah boys had a
wad with them and were anxious to back
their Judgment There was an immense
amount OF blowing by the Macon mea yes
terdsy but none to-day. The Savannah
contingent arrived on the morning train
aud were escorted to the Lanier by a com
mittee Of the Mercer team. They spent the
day quietly until the hour Tor the game
arrived.
THE RIDE TO THE GROUNDS.
At 2:3O o'clock the Savannah team started
for the grounds. Manager Halligan and
his associates rode in a carriage literally
decorated with flaming red. The team fol-
lowed in big spring wagon, every man
wearing the Z. l.. A. badge. The game
commenced at 3:45 o'clock. The Mercer
men were a tall muscular looking lot
~ 20 luaa 70 Go ah aa
90 weight. 1t was evident that they
would put up a hard fight. The game
tasted an hour and half. J. F. Geise OF
Adelphi Academy, Brooklyn, was referee
and |. Winship Cabanniss of Mercer Univer-
sity umpire. To the credit of both gentlemen
ft should be said that their decisions were
perfectly fair and impartial and entirely
satisfactory TO both sides.
OPENING OF THE GAME.
The teams toyed with the ball nearly half
an hour before point was made. Every
rush was successfully resisted and every ruse
of the Savannah team. which had the ball,
failed. Then Connolly made a touchdown
by fierce run and O'Byrne kicked the ball
over the goal, making points. Shortly
after a safety was made, scoring 2
more points. Then by determined rush
on the part of the whole team Hartridge
was showed by the goal, making another
WOuCu~QOnhs DIX w lucSS DOIt
in his arms clear off the ground in the
rush. On the punt Mercer got the ball, and
1t was some time before Savannah succeeded
an getting it back. Presently Hardee got
the ball, lodged his opponents, and with q
beautiful run scored another touchdown .
Hardee's running was an eye.opener to the
Mercer N en-. This ended the FIRST inning.
YELLs OF THE OUTSIDERS.
All this time the immense crowd was Yell
4ng furiously for Mercer. The scattered
voices of the Savannah contingent were
hardly heard at first, but when Savannah
began to win Manager Halligan gathered
all the reds around him and an effective
lung committee" was formed that was
heard long and often. The red was defiantly
Haunted in the face Of the crowd. The yell
was, "Ra-ra-ra-ra; S>n-v-a-n-n-a-h; Sa-
vannah-h-h." This slogan paralyzed the
Mercer crowd, who thought their college
yell was being ridiculed.
THE SECOND INNING.
The second inning was not so pleasant as
the first The students were tired and
tagged out, and their constant failures to
score irritated them. In a fierce scramble
over the ball several blows were passed,
some outsiders attacking the Savannah
men on the ground that a Mercerl man
had been struck. Only one man could be
found who admitted striking blow, and
only the interposition OF the police saved
him from summary vengeance by Savan-
nahs muscular rnshers. Chief Kenan aud
his men did admirable work in preserving
order at this point and all through the
game, for which they were given three
cheers at the close by Savannah. The
matter was adjusted and the
Interruption. At the end Of the last in
ming O'Bryne kicked the ball but it struck a
player and rebounded into the hands of a
Mercer man who darted across the line.
neatly scoring a safety touchdown, for
which Mercer got two points. Even this
was in doubt. but was conceded to Mercer.
But for this accident they would have been
touchdown, making twenty points for
Savannah.
SAVANNAH CAPTURES A MASCOT.
At the closing OF the first inning the
crowd was surprised by a rabbit racing
across the field. The whole crowd chased
che rabbit, which was captured by jeff MIL
Ter and borne in triumph to the carriage,
where he was decorated with red ribbon
and christened as Savannah's mascot.
The rabbit will accompany the team to Sa-
vannah- The game closed at 5:45 O'Clock
amidst the yells of the Savannahians. echo
made the air resound with their "Ra-ra-ra-
so-O-o-f-a-n-n-a-ni SaVann6n-n~nI" There
were scores of pretty girls on the field, oil
OF whom cheered for Savannah.
TEAM HARD TO BEAT.
or the Savannah team It can be said there
was not a weak player in ID. HartridQe.
Hardee, Connolly and OByrne did the fine
work Hogan, keenan, and Wymess and
Rossiter were a power In the rush. and
Cunningham and the two Williams did their
work nobly. Nothing too good can be said
OF the team and its playing to-day. The
Mercer boys accepted their defeat grace
fully. II is doubtful If they will return the
game at Savannah. however. Tho Savan-
nah boys are being entertained by the
Young Mems Catholic Sodality of Macon
tonight. Manager Halligsn and several
of the club left for Savannah tonight, but
the majority will remain here to. morrow,