Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-01
DOWN IN DEFEAT ONCE MORE
Nebraska Vanqushed by Grinnell in Con
oluding Game of Season.
BATTLE wAGED IN SEAoF MUD AND WATER
GrinneII scores Two Touchdowns and
Goals While Wcnrcrs of Cream
and scarlet Draw Disnp-
pointing Blank.

Nebraska's foot ball squad and its sup
| porters had little f1om a foot ball stand.
| point for which to be thankful Thursday
morning when Thanksgiving day vas
ushered ina time for all mankind to be
thankful for something or another 1t had
| less before the day drew to slose, for
during the afternoon Nebraska suffered an
other defeat on the gridiron at Ames avenue
Athletic park. This time it was at the
bands of the husky foot ball eleven from l
little town over in Iowa, wherein an insti-
tution of learning is conducted unler the
auspices of the Congregational church. The
score was II to and, as usual Nebraska
drew the blank, the little end, the cipher
which has marked so many OF her games
this season that any other character would
be so surprising to Nebraska foot ball en-
thusiasts as 20 endanger their future phys
ical condition from an acute attack of pal
pltation of The heart, or some other serious
affiiction of a like nature.
The game was a wretched exhibition OF
foot ball. The reason for this, however, lies
not in the lack of ability on the part OF
the players. but was due to the unfavorable
condition of the field upon which the con-
test was wagcd. The gridiron was one solid
sheet of mud. Here and there pools of water
had settled and into these the foot ball
warriors seemed to delight IN waging their
battles. 1t was, at these times, more Of an
aquatic exhibition than a foot ball match.
Tho Thanksgiving gridiron contests have
come to be feature OF wide interest in
Omaha and the concluding game of the
foot ball season in this city Thursday had
been looked forward to with a marked degree
ns th,tyf ,N Ry
reason of an established precedent it has
become quite the proper thing for all the
youths and the maidens, the society men
and matrons and in fact for every
body in general to turn out to the Thanks
giving foot ball game Consequently, the
event had been anticipated not alone by the
goodly number OF local enthusiasts in the
sport but by many more who don't know the
difference between a touchdown and a safe
hit. But the fates decreed otherwise than
that a favorable day should be furnished
for the exhibition and there wac many
downcast countenance when the floodgates
OF heaven opened Thursday morning and
poured forth rain and snow in torrents.
During the afternoon biting cold rain
swept in from the northwest and brought
about such disagreeable climatic conditions
that only the most ardent foot ball enthu-
sast cared to don winter wraps and brave
the elements.
Great Enthusiasm Prevails.
1t was surprising, however, how many fol-
lowers of the game there were who willingly
faced the wintry blaets and wended their
way out to the Ames avenue park. If it
had been pleasanter day, the big grand
etand would have been unable to furnish ac-
NIot,n for
a good natured crowd, in numbers far ex-
ceeding the expectations of the managers of
the two teams, huddled into the grandstand
and aleug the side lines and INDUCED in
prolonged and promiscuous cheering. The
crowd yelled to keep its spirits up and even
before the foot ball warriors from Nebraska
and Grinnell put in an appearance on the
miry gridiron the good natured men and
women, young and old, had shouted them
selves almost hoarse. And they kept it up
all through the entire struggle. In the Ian
guago Of a local colored orator. the thus
iasticism was preponderous."
The Nebraska eleven had the majority. of
the crowd on its side and varsity songs and
yells appropriate TO the occasion made din
which would have done credit to much
larger ag %2gation. The Grinnell team had
a following made up of a large number of
students who came over to witness the game
and many Iowa rooters from Council Bluffs.
When the two teams came cautiously out
upon the gridiron, tiptoeing their way be-
tween the puddles of mud and being repaid
for their efforts by sinking into the thor
ougly soaked soil up to their ankles, they
were greeted with unbounded enthusiasm. |
The devotees of the sport admired them for
their pluck in venturing to play in the face
of such unfavorable circumstances.
twenty-five husky young colegians picked
out their respective positions within the
bounds marked by the chalk lines. They
were resplendent in bright colored sweaters
and natty foot ball paraphernala After the
first scrimage, however, their togs were un-
recognizable as to color, for every player was
bespattered with mud from head to foot and
the longer the game continued the greater
the quantity of mud which each man ap-
propriated to his person.
ODening of the Battle.
After the usual preliminaries, such as the
tossing for the goal and the decision as to
the time limits of the two halves, the battle |
began. And such a battle as 1t was The !
like was never before experienced by any OF
the players and they were unanimous after
the conclusion Of the game in expression of !
the hope that another such should never fall |
a
possibility. The pgskin became thoroughly |
with mud and water. In this re-
spect however, it was no different from the |
players themselves. Sensational runs, such |
as furnish the thrilling, dramatic situa- |
tions in a foot ball contest, were impossible. |
The players seemed to have great fun, never |
theless. and We'd with one another in wal |
lowing in the mud
Nebraska kicked off toward the west goal |
shortly after o'clock and the game com
menced After the kickoff the wearers OF !
the cream and scarlet got possession of the |
plgskin only twice until Grinnel scored the !
first touchdown. The Iowans advanced the 3
ball steadily back across the field toward the /
east goal, which the Nebraskans were de- !
Tending. Their onward march was ac- |
by continuous line bucks which !
the varsity men were unable to check. !
Twice the visitors were held on downs, but .
the Nebraskans were unable to gain any
advantage from possession Of the ball. !
Toward the east goal IL continued by slow
but steady gains, until Grnnells fullback /
punted to Nebraska's fifteen yard line.
gathered the oval into close .
embrace, but had only fairly started when
he was downed and the Iowans held the
advantage gained by this punt in capturing
the ball on downs at Nebraska's eighteen
yard line.
First Touchdown.
Then followed the first touchdown. Lyman.