The St. Louis Republic., 1902-09-15
Rivalries Between the Big Colleges
of the East Keener Than
Ever Before.
MANY CHANGES IN THE RULES.
Experts Declare That Conditions
Have Been Equalized and
Better Games Will Be
the Result.

REPUBIIc SPECIAL
/ New York Sept IL-Football SO dear to
the hearts of college boys and their ad-
| miTers. beginning tomorrow and lasting
! through November. will hold the center Of
| the stage OF outdoor sports and the long
| haired knights of the gridiron will be the
| heroes of the hour.
The rivsIries this fail between the big
| colleges viii be more keen than ever. and
because OF the graduation of many OF the
veteran players. more even competition
! than has been the case in recent wears may
result Viewed in advance. there are two
or three salient points worthy of note First
because or their wide application th-ie arr
the changes in the rules. This summer the
committee made some radical innovations.
The first OF these is the rule that after
each touchdown scored or after every goal
from the field. the competing elevens change
goals. This is most important change,
and one that has been very generally ac-
cepted as satisfactory by football players
and authorities everywhere throughout the
country. although opposed by some few.
As q matter OF tact. the new rule Is an
admirable one. Football games. like most
athletic contests. are somewhat dependent
case that wnen two teams have been even
ly matched as regards playing strength, one
eleven has won its game because in the
toss of the coin IL was successful in get
ting the side of the field where the wind
was at its back or where the sun did not
shine in the backs eyes
EQUALIZES CONDITIONS.
Games have often been won in the first
half An eleven may have become dis
couraged at its lack OF success IN the first
half. and entered the second half already
team had the luck to get the favored goal.
Under the new ruling. this trouble will be
obviated. for by chsngpg goals there will
the advantage OF the team that scored in
the matter OF wind. sun. etc, will there
after become the advantage OF the side
scored against. This will make the chances
more even, and cannot tend TO mystify or
puzzle the ordinary football enthusiasts. as
has been argued. IL he possesses any KIND
OF eyesiEht.
The other changes Of importance deal
with penalties The rule that permits the
side offended against to refuse a penalty
and to take instead a certain number OF
yards gained by the play at, the time OF
the e. foul: Is wise; Ca For example; Hitherto HIT & II
" and fairly. he. would be brought back TO
the place where the play started. II some
held in the line. Then the penalty for the
foul would be given TO the side with the
ball and play resumed. In this way runs
cause the other side had offended in a way
that die not interfere at all with the play.
put into operation.
MAY REFUSE PENALTY.
Now under the changed ruling. It is pos
such run or play is made. providing the
foul committed does not interfere with the
play, to refuse the penalty for this offense-
Instead. II a run has been made and this
run equals or Is greater than twenty-five
yards. twenty-five yards from the spot
where the foul was committed shall be al
lowed. II will be seen at once that this is
a fair changs. and one that Will make runs
count more than ever before. for hitherto
The runner would be brought back when a
foul was committed. and be allowed not |
twenty-five yards. but only the five or ten
yards penalty for the offense committed.
whatever II might be. There are other
changes Of minor Importance. but the above
are the most important.
The actual season of play really does not |
start until September q. although several |
colleges have games scheduled for next Sat- |
urday, aid still more have dates on
Wednesday. September "a. /
Harvard. Yale, Princeton and Pennsylva-
MIA have all lost good men, but have enough |
good players left to build up strong teams.
The Cornell eleven Is almost intact. and |
with its new men. Is very strong. The gen.
eral outlook for winning eleven at Cor
nell has never been better than IL is this |
year.