The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-17

something, but would not have changed
the result.
In the second half when wisconsin
was within striking distance of the
gopher goal Abbott was injured and was
lee off the field His substitute, Find
ley, was not his equal
At this iuncture Wisconsin became
desperate and Driver was called into
the play and Vanderboom went out
Driver gave spark of life to the dying
badgers. but he could do little to save
the dav.
Ten thousand people saw the game.
Every available spot on the field was
nscl-ed.
Governor Van Zandt of Minnesota saw
the contest, and Minnesota society filed
the boxes and reserved seats.
No two teams ever showed more evenly
matched defense than the gophers and
virtually a case with both OF biting the
line for short gains and then a punt. At
the punting game KnowltOn was better
than Marsh. The gopher full back aver
aged forty yards on his punts, but Wis
eoasin ,oIfSet this by the great work of its
iably got their man when he caught the
At time during the half was the bah
nearer than 10 yards to goal, and that
only or a punt. The amount of ground
gained on straight football was slightly in
Minnesota S favor. but the little squirt ia
ken by the gOphers near the end of the
half was unavailing.
They carried the ball from their own 80
yard line into Wisconsins territory. but
once past the middle of the fieid, Wiscoa-
sin renewed it's great defense and the
gopAers We're soon back on their own
soil.
1t was battle royal at every stage. and
so evenly were the teams matched that
not even the most partisan rooter could
see chance for score except by a fiuke.
IN their despeIations both teams were
Sullty OF oH-Slde playing and holding in
the line Added to this there were fun
bles In the long run the offenses and
errors were about even. Wisconsin. after
brilliant l5-yard run by Vanderboom,
was set back 10 yards near the end OF the
half. but the play was made in the mid
Fakes and tricks counted for absolutely
nothing; Neither team resorted to this
style of play to any extent. relying at
nearly all times on straight football
The character Of the play throughout
the ball on Wisconsin's 35-yard line on a
tumble. The badgers held so stifflv IN
every play that the ball quickly changed
The best display of football made during
the half was by Minnesota, when after
Davies had retired in favor of Van Eal-
kenburg. the gophers seemed to acquire
sudden speed and strength. They varied
the play by bringing Flynn back and
working mass play on Wisconsn's left
tackle This was good for time. but the
badgers solved the play and stopped it.
ity in the second half. The gODherS inn
proved in speed. Van Vakenburg stood
cut as a tower of strength and did Won
ders. The badgers did not weaken. but
Minnesota improved. When the goplers
get the bail early in the half at Wiscon-
sins 45-Nard line, they worked like de-
mons They did not have the speed of
sprinters. but they were fast. and IN air
advantage in 5ght began to show.
Minnesota PLAY ed championship football
for 10 minutes and that was long enough
10 win the game. The left side of Wisccn-
sins line practically impre enable in
the first half. In the second half Harris
directed the play at the right side. Hau-
merson and Lerum could not stop the
rushing gopheTs. They smashed and
crashed through to goal and the game
was
A pluckier fight than Wisconsin made
with the score against her is seldom seen.
Weakened by the absence of Juneau they
fought against odds. but they Were nc
longer the equals of the men in the North
Star State
With Minnesota $ touchdown cane conf
dence to the gophers. Just cnce they
We're called TO show their new mettle in
critical defense when Wisconsin had the
ball on MinneSota's 15-Yard line after
muffed kick by KnOwlton-the gophers
stopped Wisconsin in a hurry.
In summing up the game little can be
said of lost chances. Minnesota simply
won on superior strength. 1t was a game
in which plain. l.nvarnished football was
played on both sides. For Minnesota
Harris was a tower of strength in running
back punts and Van Vallzenburg was the
rainstay at ground gaining
And the third star on the gopher side
was not the least in magnitude. KnOWlton
earned the right by his superior punting
20 be counted a big factor in Minnesotas
victory
The game plainly showed that Mime
| sofa has an offense to be feared. The pre-
diction made after the Illinois game that