The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-18
Most Of the Playing Done I'm Paddles
of Water That Formed on
the Gridfron.
BOTH TEAMS FOUGHT MODIFY
AND AT THE FINISH THEIR FACES
WERE uNREcoGNIzABLE.
Columbus Defeated by 4. III. s,-Culver
and Purdue Took Good Games
Notre Danes Splendid Fight.

INDIANA ............ o-ILLINoIs .....-.... %
PURDUE -.......Se-EARLHAN ....-..-..
MICHIGAN ......... s-NoTRE DAME....-- %
CULVER ...........I2-LEwIs ............... %
vINcENNEs ........52-w. n. G.............-
CENTER ............26-HANovER .........- %
L II. .........xS-CoLUMBUS .........
The question OF who is entitled TO the
gridiron championship OF Indiana and I'LL
nois universities this fall rematas unde-
cided, as the contest yesterday after
noon between Indiana University and the
University of Illinois. which was arranged
to settle the question. resulted In tie
game, neither team being able to score
The day was anything but ideal football
weather. the rain pouring down in tor
rents most Of the day and the weather be-
ing generally damp and having depress-
ing effect on the crowds OF collegians who
came to Indianapolis to root for their ia
vorites. The rain began falling Friday
night, and with the exception OF few
recesses of short duration the downpour
was steady, causing the gridiron at Newly
Oval where the contest was played, 20 re-
semble the swamps OF the Kankakee river
district. Shortly after noon the rain was
heavy and 1T showed tendency 20 clear.
but this bright speck in the clouds lasted
but a few minutes. So steady was the
downpour that the field was soaked early
In the morning. and by afternoon there
were but few square yards Of the grid
iron that were not inundated.
GAME CALLED AT 2:f5-
The game was scheduled to be called ct
2:3O. but owing TO the long time required
In reaching the Oval it was 2:45 before the
two teams lined up for the struggle TO de-
eide which State would claim the honor
OF the football championship. AS the two
teams appeared on the field the sun broke
through the clouds and smiled gently on
the stalwart athletes OF the two States.
but Old Soils smile was cut short by the
overhanging clouds that gathered again In
formation play to deprive the specta-
tors and players OF the benefit OF the suns
rays. During the first half there were
frequent showers, which did no damage
to the already swampy field. but during
the second half the rain came down In tor
rents, making the field vast sea OF mud
and water.
The contest was witnessed by about 5000
people, and these may be termed the dyed
in-the-wool football fans. Had the weather
been clear and more suitable for the game.
there would have been crowd OF twice
the proportions present. The large amphi-
thcater presented dazzling appearance.
There we're but few in the crowd OF people
gathered under the shelter OF the grand
stand that were not adorned with some col
lege colors. All the colleges OF Indiana and
many other universities were represented.
Small boys who wanted 10 be In The swim
invaded their sisters ribbon aSSortments
during che morning, and. no matter what
color they chose. 1t represented some col
lege.
OF course. the representatives OF Indiana
were in the majority, and the east end OF
the grand stand. where they were congre-
gated. presented pretty spectacle. The
red and white OF the Indiana University
was worn by two-thirds OF those present.
but for some unaecountable reason the
supporters Of the Bloomington college
showed a woeful lack OF enthusiasm-such.
in fact as would be termed decidedly chilly
by a theatrical star.
NOT MUCH ROOFING.
Before the game was called they sang
college songs and gave college yeils. but
during the thickest OF the fray when In
diana was on the field knee deep in the
mud and trying to make the necessary
gain or eneeavoring to present an invul-
nerable wall against the Illinois players.
the supporters of Indiana did not display
the enthusiasm or encouragement that
generally marks contests OF that sort. A
few times, however, when Indiana made q
successful stand against the rushes OF I'LL
nois, or when Pike made brilliant punt.
the Indiana yelis would fairly raise the roof
of the grand stand. But these bursts OF
enthusiasm were spontaneous. and the
men who were lighting in the mire and mud
for the honor of the Hoosier State were
not given the proper encouragement.
The game was a remarkable contest.
everything considered, and the outcome
was no surprise TO the followers OF -As
two elevens. In weight they were at
as evenly matched as two such str
teams ususaily are when they meet
championship contests. In the line In,
ana had slightly the better OF the weighs.
but back OF the line Illinois was shade
the stronger. But weight back OF the line
counted for little I'm game that had 10 be
played on such a field Formation work
and line bucking counted for more than
all the speed that could be attained by the
men back OF the line. and not once during
the game did either team make substan-
tial gain by relying on enc OF the backs
endeavoring 10 skirt the end OF the oppos-
ing eleven. The ball was passed 10 the
backs few times. but they were tackled
successfully before they had worked for
ward TO any extent.
GOOD WORK BY BOTH TEAMS.
The work Of both eievens was satisfac-
tory to the followers OF the two schools.
Indiana's strong defensive work was weak
ened by the condition OF the field. but the