The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-26
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SEVERE LESSONS
OF THE
FOOTBALL SEASON

| The Thanksgiving game Of 1898 is now a
| thing of the past and one side is telling
| lust how it happened and trying to ex-
| plain score that is the least bit discom-
fitting. This seasons play has been fruit
full of many lessons-the first bitter one
to the cardinal and the first joyful occa-
sion to the blue and gold.
| Stanford started out this year in the
wrong way. They were put on their met
| tie from the very first day of the season
| and the altered conditions were so strange
| and novel to them that they were unable
| to recognize the dilemma in which
| they were placed. The material that
either college had to draw from was mono
of the best One side improved it. the
other did not.
| Cochran had the advantage OF Cross
| in being at California during the spring.
He then looked over the situation and
began his work for the autumn. When
the college semester commenced in Au-
gust Cochran was on hand forming lists
OF men and classifying them. His labors
were earnestly prosecuted and he worked
along we'll defined ends until the last day
before the Thanksgiving game.
The great lesson which he has taught
is that spirit in college team is the ne
cessary prerequisite to team work. At
first Cochran could not comprehend the
state of affairs at the University Of Cali
fornia, but as the days went by he re-
allied what had to be done and he did 1t.
He created an esprit de corps.
AT Berkeley there existed wild belief
in individual players. the efficiency OF a
few great particular stars. How well this
erroneous view of things was eliminated
the game on Thursday is complete proof.
There was not a star in the California
team on Thanksgiving day. Perhaps the
men who played on the end were the most
brilliant of the team, but they worked
hand in hand with others who played re-
markable ball. That is the secret OF their
football success.
Cochran took his men, placed them
in positions which he thought suited them
and then started out. The California
team was formed a month ago and they
were drilled in all the details Of the game
day after day. The steady. and persist
the football wisdom Of Cochran. who
really formed the team and laugh 1t all
it knew. Playing on the California elev-
en- were two freshmen, and they distin-
guished themselves magnifcently. Little
Womble and 'Locomotor" Smith, des-
tined to become the best bucking half
erans OF course, Wombles game was
hardly equal to that Of Craig; the latter
was the most brilliant of all on the field.
Now, what happened at Palo Alto? The
series of heavy, well-drilled teams that
has represented the cardinal in years past
was counted on to do something for Stan
Camp left the university as coach Stan
ford was put to the necessity OF deVel-
oping an entire new team The three
center men were new, so were the tackles,
and the backs were never in safe, sound
condition. But these difficulties may
have been overcome as they were at Cal
ifornia had there been a spirit to work
tremendously. Cross was handicapped
at every stage during the early part or
the season, and when the team did awak
en- 1t was too late to catch up with the
fast progressing team at Berkeley. There
was not the feeling of fraternity among
the members of the Stanford eleven.
In comparison with other teams that
have played football on this coast the
California eleven which lined UP Thurs
day was, perhaps, the best as far as team
work is considered. Both colleges have
turned out stronger elevens, but never
highest football development that we
have ever seen on the coast.
The lessons which this season has
taught are two-Californta has learned
that team work is the all and Stanford
that a succession of victories may be
broken when there is a lack of spirit,
unity and confidence in one another.