The San Francisco call., 1899-12-10
MAROONS
SHUT OUT
WISCONSIN
Western Football Champion
ship Goes to the Chicago
Eleven.
Chicago II, Wisconsin o.

MADISON, Wis, Dec. 9.-The Western
football championship goes to Chicago.
Before at least 1900 spectators the eleven
of the University of Chicago to-day de-
feated the University of Wisconsin team
by score of II to o in a game that for
desperate playing, for clean, scientific
football, probably never has been equaled
on a Western gridiron. 1t was a game
between "A team which in offensive play
ing was perfect, with weather and wind
In it's favor and an eleven whose defen-
sive play up TO to-day had been compact
enough TO protect its line from all oppos-
ing elevens except Yale. But Chicagos )
mass plays were irresistible, and though
the Badgers fought until they could fight
no more the Maroons several times
plunged through Wisconsin's line until
the ball was carried over the goal line.
Only once did Wisconsin have a chance
to score, and that one chance they were
unable to avail themselves Of, as with the
ball on their own 15-yard line the Chicago
forwards braced so effectively that on
four downs the ball was only showed for
ward three yards. In this respect the Chi
cago players surprised their supporters.
Their defensive play was far stronger
than expected, and even when Wisconsin
had the ball, which was seldom, ODea
was compelled to kick in most instances.
Throughout the whole game the Badgers
were on the defensive. most of the time
with the ball well into their territory.
Chicago quickly located the weak spots
in the Badgers defense. They were
mostly on the left side of the line, and in
the first half Shaker, Fell, Hammill and
Henry behind interference that was ap-
parently unbreakable. tore through the
tackle and guard positions for gains that
almost invariably netted the distance.
On the right side, however, most diff
Guilty was experienced. Curtiss, the Wis
consin right tackle. played a whirlwind
game and tore through Fell time and
again in time to spoil the play. He was
easily the star of the Wisconsin eleven.
The whirling mass-on tackle, the most
effective play of the Chicagos, was often
directed against him, but 1t never netted
more than three yards. and frequently
Curtiss stopped the play before 1t was
fairly started.
With the other side of the line it came
easier. Flanagan. Webb and Eldridge
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 II started. In
the second half Comstock. exhausted and
iimplng. retired in favor of Leerum. and
little Trait also went out, Wilmarth taxi
ing his place. But IL made little differ
ence The game had already been won
and although Leerum made big Flanni-
gans life burden TO him for the balance
OF the game the rest of the team was too
During the latter part of the second half
Chicago played to keep Wisconsin from
scoring. and once Kennedy adopted the
tactics of Captain McBridge of Yale and
dropped back twenty yards TO hold the
ball Chicago's interference was far su-
perior to Wisconsin's, and to this fact
more than any other must be ascribed the
victory.
Two hours before the game a cold driz-
Zling rain began to fall, and throughout
the battle showers fell frequently. The
rain did not have much effect on the
field but il was sufficiently heavy TO rem
der the ball wet and slippery and fumbles
by both sides were frequent
When the referees whistle was blown
for the end OF the game nearly thou
sand 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 teams lined up as follows.