The Topeka state journal., 1901-11-08
Is the WiseOnsin-MinnesOta Con-
test Nov. 16.
HARD FOUGHT BATTLE
Expected That 5000 Enthus-
lasts Will Attend.
Gophers a Trifie Heavier, Badg-
ers Counted Speediest.

ed ON the Wisconsin, Minnesota contest
to be played November 16. Other games
are called foregone conclusions Seldom
in gridiron history have two elevens
been so evenly matched as the gophers
and badgers this year. While the for
mer may have a slight advantage IN
weight, Kings charges have the greater
experience and probably a little more
speed But if everything is taken into
consideration, the teams are almost SIM
liar in effectiveness
Minnesota and Wisconsin have in
Rogers, Hoyt and Aune for the gopherS
and Abbott and Juneau for the badgers
the best end ruSherS in the west. IL is
the proverbial dollars to doughnuts that
these players will prevent any long runs
around their positions. Neither team, on
the other hand, will be able to run back
many punts, as these end rushers-so
far at leaSt-have never failed to get the
man with the ball before he could gam
much or any ground End plays elm
mated, the game undoubtedly will con-
sist of short but effective line bucking
and plunges. 1t looks from this dis
tance as if the heavier Minnesota eleven
should have a little advantage in this
department, although Coach Booth of
Nebraska said Saturday that the bad
gers strike the opposing line great deal
harder than Minnesota does
The gophers last year won their con-
tests by superior weight and by DR..
Williams strategy Even Coach Stagg,
liams had taught the gophers, looked
puzzled. 1t was an entirely new display
of gridiron tactics, and combined with
the great weight of Minnesota literally
tore holes in the lines of the opposing
elevens. The weight is there again this
year, the team has prOfited by expert
ence and confidence and the old Yale
coach, DR.. Williams, has added num-
ber of new plays which will again puz-
z1e the western football generals One
new formation which the gopherS used
with great effect in the game with the
Haskell Indians brings back guard and
tackle and when one end essays the
task of carrying the ball around the
other end, seems to be a great ground
gamer
Opposed to the gopher strategy and
tactics, the badgers will play straight
football. Princeton coaches rarely have
taught much intricate football, believ-
ing more in team work and lndlvidual
speed. One of the few exceptions to
this rule was Garrett Cochran'S close
formation, which undoubtedly was one
of the most successful inventions of the
gridiron. 1t was Immediately adopted
by most all football coaches east and
west But this specific Princeton play
was successful when played by Prince
tons eleven and has been abandoned by
nearly all teams
Wisconsin occasionally uses the
quarterback kick, but invariably re-
lies entirely upon her fast back field
and strong line to gain ground Last
King will have to make some changes
to put his team in championship form
Driver undoubtedly has gone back on
his last years form He does not buck
the line with anything like the form he
used in 1900 and does not back up his
colleagues when they carry the ball
In defense Driver is undoubtedly the
weakest spot on the eleven, his catch
ing of punts and running them back
being of great advantage to the badg-
ers' opponents. Schreiber can outpunt
Driver by fifteen yards The right side
of the Wisconsin line is at least the
equal of the gophers, and Captain Cur
tbs is a stone wall in himself But the
left wing is weak Nebraska demon
strated this time and again, and while
"Norsky'' Larson backed up that part
of the line still the corn huSkerS made
their gains through HaumerSon at will
Coach King will undoubtedly make
some changes in his lineup. Then,
again, Minnesota has little advant-
age DR.. Williams has found the right
man for the right place, and the team
works now in unison, every man help
ing the other and eleven players in
every play.
should not be irreparable, considering
the substitute material on hand. 1t
looks like a case of casting the mote
out of thy brothers eye instead of thine
own eye first, in view of the attitude
of the university towards Williams of
Iowa. No team in the country is in
better condition today. This is said
advisedly. Apparently, the boogeys or
and overtraining con-
stantly before both coach and trainer
need hardly be feared with these men.
The only question is as to the amount
of football acumen the team possesses
as whole. Weight, speed and deter
mination will count for naught against
a modicum amount of all three, but
with a superiority of gray. football mat
ter. This is Wisconsin's strong point,
and should put her strongly in the race. !
Reinhart, a Lafayette man, will refer
rec at the Minnesota-W Wisconsin game,
while Ralph Hoaglund, of Princeton,
will umpire. 1t is estimated that the
at the game will be at least
Is. 900, including 1.500 from Chicago. |
twice as many from Milwaukee. with
about 1000 from Minneapolis and ST
Paul, while from the interior points in
this and neighboring states within a
radius of 200 miles many will take ad-
of the reduced rates to witness
the battle.