The Saint Paul globe., 1901-11-07
BADGERS WORK HARD.
KING PUTTING HIS MEN INTO
SHAPE FOR THE BIG
GAME
GoPHERs STRENGTH CONCEDED
Weakness of Teams Defense
Against kicking Game Consid-
cred to Be WiscOnsin's
Main Fault.

Against Kicking Game COnS1d-
cred to Be WiscOnsin's
Main Fault.
MADISON, Nov. 6.-The eyes of all
Wisconsin football patrons are now turn
ed to the coming contest with Minnesota,
and while the ordinary observer OF attn
letics has watched with great deal Of
satisfaction the fast, aggressive work OF
the university team, particularly OF the
back field, those who viewed the practice
with experienced and critical eye found
much that was far from encouraging, IN
fact, g. great deal that was discouraginS-
The Nebraska game was in several fea-
lures spectacular, and in several places
there was really brilliant work, and the
general opinion was that the offensive
play was as near perfect as 1t could be.
The end running was fast and accurate,
and the men in the plays worked with a
precision and energy that was well nigh
irresistible. The work of the men in the
interference in guarding the runner time
and again blocked off the opposing tack
lers, leaving the runner with a clear held.
Another remarkable thing was the tenac-
ity and doggedness with which play
was followed up, a runner seldom going
down the field alone, but generally guard
ed by at least one or the other backs of
the team. In running with the ball and
in the interference the work of Larson
exceeded that of all the others in
strength, brilliancy and effectiveness.
With Fogg, Cochem and Driver in the
other positions Wisconsin will certainly
go into the great game with the best bal
anced and fastest field of backs that has
ever represented the school.
The game with Minnesota, however, Is
not one which can be won by the bril-
liancy of enc man or of several men, and
if there is weakness in the Badger line
when the two teams go-o the field on
the championship day 1t will be dfscov-
cred before a dozen ine-ups have been
made, and when once discovered the
Gophers' heavy backs in mass plays will
make the most of 1t, to the peril Of Wis
consin's hopes.
1t is to this line and its defensive play
that the energies of Coach King and his
assistants will be directed for the next
two weeks, and it is On the success of
those efforts that Wisconsin will win or
lose. Minnesota's style of play, which
has been under the critical eye of Phil
King for the past three games that have
been played at Minneapolis, is being used
by the second team, and the varsity
boys will be on the defensive for the
greater part of the time. The whole
team has entered on a training that will
cruits. Special attention will be given
to the training of the tackles to meet the
opponents play, as it is against them
that the Gophers will direct their power
Curtis at right tackle is without peer
in the West, or in the whole country for
that matter, and, with an understanding
of the system that he is to meet, will be
more than a stumbling block to what
ever may come his way.
There is little fear that Minnesota will
be able to circle the Badger ends, or that
she Will be able to open up holes in the
line, but the fear is that the momentum
of her heavy team will work by short
! distances down the field, and for that
reason the uncertainty of the problem of
finding another guard beside Lerum is
perplexing. Schreiber has been played
in the position several times since the
Belolt game, and the only thing that is
against him is his lack of weight. Web
ster, who formerly held the position has
been out of condition and has not been
able to regain his early season FORM
Whether or not he will play against Min
nesota will probably depend On his work
for the next week. The other line POSI-
tions are filled to good advantage Skow
at center end Lerum at guard have both
improved on their form of last year, and
will undoubtedly prove superior to those
| against them.
Coach King knows his business and
does not need advice from the critics.
whose task is so much more simple than
his own but it certainly looks as if a diff
ferent arrangement OF the backs from
that used on defense in the last game
might be advantageous. Driver is clear
ly out of his place as safety man. He
can neither catch punts nor run them
back, and he is not fast enough to make
it at all certain that he would get to a
speedy runner circling the end, which is
rendered still more doubtful by his habit
of getting interested in the play and for
getting that his place, under normal con-
ditiCns Of wind and weather, is about
thirty, rather than twelve, yards back
of the scrimmage. A lighter and more
fragile man would be better played back
and Drivers sturdy bulk put behind the
center. which will certainly be sorely
tried by Minnesota. And Marshall is not
safe man back, because of his uncer-
tainty in handling kicks. With Fogg out
Cochems is Wisconsins best catcher, and
his ability to run back punts surpasses
anything Wisconsin now has, so that it
may be necessary to keep him back even
though he is valuable in supporting the
line.
Putting the poorest defense back be-
hind Curtis, however, the right side
would still be strong. Wisconsin, how
ever, will not be weak with an arrange
nent that King may make but some
thing must be done to improve the teams
defense against the kicking game AS it
stands now, it is the only distinct weak
ness IN the play of an otherwise great
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