The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-10
And Thereby Captured the Western
intercollegiate Football Cham
pionship Of the Year.
PLAYING WAS DESPERATE
BUT NO FLUkEs MARRIED THE VIC
TORY OF THE MARooNs.
Mass Plays of the Latter Irresistible.
While the Interference Of the
Badgers Was Weak.

MADISON, Wis, Dec. 9.-The Western
football championship goes to Chicago. Be
fore at least Il, 100 persons the eleven of the
University OF Chicago to-day defeated the
University of Wisconsin team by score or
L. to o in a game that, for desperate play
ing, for clean. scientific football, mas prob
ably never been eQualed on a Western grid
iron No fiukes married the victory OF the
sturdy Chicago play ers, and tonight for
the first time in years the Maroons can lay
claim to an undisputed title 10 the cham
rionship. 1t was game between team
which, in offensive playing, was perfect
with weather and wind in its favor. an
eleven whose dense play up 10 to-day had
been compact enough 20 protect their goal
line from all opposing elevens. except Yale.
But Chicagos mass plays were irresistible.
and although the Badgers fought until they
could fight no more, the Maroon backs
plunged through Wisconsins line until the
ball was carried over the goal line three
times. Only once did Wisconsin have even
chance TO score, and that one chance they
were unable to avail themselves OF, as with
the ball on their own ffteen-yard line the
Chicago forwards braced so effectively that
on four downs the ball was only showed
forward three yards. In this respect the
Chicago players surprised their supporters.
Their defensive play was far stronger than
expected. and even when Wisconsin had the
ball, which was seldom. O'Dea was COM
yelled to kick in most instances
Throughout the whole game tire Badgers
were on the defensive. most OF the time
with the ball well into Their territory. Chi
In, toH he L. In, hn
Badgers defense. They were mostly on the
left side OF the line and in the first half.
Shaker, Fell Hamel anu Henry behind In
reference that was, apparently unbreak-
able, tore through the racAae and guard
positions for gains that almost invariably
Melted the distance. On Tile right side, how
ever, more difficulty was experienced. Cur
tiss, the ,.sconsin right tackle, played
whirlwind game and he tore through Fea
time and time again in time 10 spoil the
play He was easily the star OF the Wis
consin eleven. The whirling mass on tackle.
the most effective play OF Chicago's, was
often directed against him, but IL never
Melted more than three yards, and fire.
quently Curtiss stopped the play before IL
was fairly started. At the other side of the
line IL came easier. Flanagan. Webb and
Elderidge held their men safe and when
Shaker or Fell were sent against the line
the ball generally found resting place
several yards in advance OF where IL
started.
In the second half Comstock. exhausted
and limping, retired in favor OF Lorum.
and little Trait also went out, Wilmarth
taking his place. But IL made little differ
ence. The game had already been won
and Lorum made big Flannigan's life a
burden TO him for the rest of the game.
The others were too exhausted TO make
effective Roadway. During the latter part
of the second half Chicago played to keep
Wisconsin from scoring, and once kennedy
adopted the tactics of Captain Mcbride,
of Yale. and dropped back twenty yards
to hold the ball.
Chicago's interference was far superior
to Wisconsin's, and TO this fact more than
any other must be ascribed- the victory.
Once the ball was put in play every man
on the team was pushing, pulling or help
| ing the runner to keep his feet until the
| whistle was blown for down. Even when
| tackled the Chicago backs and tackles,
| struggled forward until crushed down by
| a mass of players. Wisconsin's Interior
ence, on the other hand, was more easily
| broken up, and at no stage OF the game
was the ball advanced more than ten
| yards.
Two hours before the game a cold. driz-
| zlng rain began to fall and throughout the
| battle showers fell frequently. The rain
| did not have much effect on the field. but IL
wet and slippery and flnbles by both sides
| were frequent
When the referees whistle was blown Tor
| the end of the game nearly thousand
cheering rooters broke out on the gridiron.
hoisted the tired but happy champions to
| their shoulders, and, headed by a band.
marched out of the grounds and far up the
| street before they allowed their burdens TO
climb into the waiting carriages. The
4 lire foil