The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-12
FOOTBALL
KICK .AB0Ul91.FIELD
Wisconsin Sends Up Usual Howl on
Minnesota Gridiron-No Cause
=. for Anxiety.
Rain Interferes With Outdoor Prac-
tice of the Gophers-Tribute
From Iowa Players.

From Iowa Players.
From Wisconsin comes the usual ante
bellum howl in regard to the condition OF
the Minnesota gridiron. This is an old
story, indeed other universities beside
Wisconsin have made complaints on this
score. The Badgers say that Wisconsin
will be under the same disadvantage as
she was two years ago, with the soft Min
nesota skin field. George F. -Downer in
the Milwaukee Sentinel lets loose as fol-
lows:
when Manager Fitzpatrick made the
contract for the coming game he was re-
ported to have included an article to the
effect that Minnesota must furnish a turf
field. If. as Is reported the gridiron at
Northrop field is in the same loose con-
dition as two years ago, 1t Is probable
that the Minnesota diplomats understood
how little such clauses mean, unaccOm-
panied by effective provisions Of their en-
forcement. With their superior weight
and their familiarity with the conditions,
Minnesota will have an appreciate adj
vantage. Moreover they will be on their
native heath and well supported. for the
memory of last years crushing defeat
still ranklesin the breasts Of the maroon
and gold partizans."
1t Is admitted that "skin'' field. in wet
weather, Is about the worst possible hand
leap for light. fast team, or for any
team which depends upon speed and open
play for its gains. In dry weather, how
ever. the Northrop field gridron is just
about as hard and furnishes as good foot
lis as any in the west.
Statement From Chamberlain.
There Is good authority for this state
ment. no less than that of Lon Chamber
lain u plain Of the 1900 Wisconsin eleven.
Ir the Christmas number Of the Cardinal,
the Unive -sity Of Wisconsin daily. in 1900,
Chamberlain, in the course Of an article
upon the Minnesota Wisconsin game OF
that year, says:
Contrary to expectations the field was
dry and quite hard" This ought to set
tie effectually the claim that Wisconsin
was handicapped by the condition Of the
field two years ago.
So far as furnishing a turf field for then
Wisconsin game Is concerned, that condi-
ton was impossible, and it is unlikely that
Minnesota made such an agreement,
knowing that it could not be kept The
Northrop field gridiron was a turf field at
the beginning Of the football season. The
grass was foot high, but it was trampled
down and rooted up in the practice.
The Minnesota management however
Is taking every precaution to have the
field in good condition for Saturdays
game. Straw is spread upon the gridiron
every evening after practice is finished
and left there until time for work to be-
gin the next day. Unless the rainy wealth
or continues through the whole week, the
Badgers need have little fear that they
will be at a. disadvantage.
Badgers Are Worried.
Wisconsin also, according to dispatches
from Madison, fs greatly incenSed, and
somewhat worried over the discovery of
Minnesota spies at the badger practice.
1t is said that King has decided to make
a complete change in the Wisconsin sig
mails and style Of game lest the Mime
sofa men should have discovered all his
cherished tricks Great CONSERVATION
prevails at Madison, according to the I'M
biased correspondents, because in addition
to Robertson seeing the secret practice.
Assistant Coach Dobie was at Saturdays
game, incognfto.
All this sounds very much like one OF
Kings usual wolf stories. Spying upon
secret practice Is reprehensible, to say the
least. and the Minnesota management
should officially deny any knowledge OF
Robertson 8 mission. DObie's presence at
Saturdays game, if true, is only in line
with the usual procedure of western
coaches. 1t makes little difference wheth-
er Dobie announced his presence to the
WISCONSIN management. The story OF
changes in the badgers signals and style
OF play sounds fishy, and apparently Is in
tended to throw Minnesota off her guard
In spite Of the rain, Minnesota took the
usual practice last night, but darkness
drove the squad into the arrnory early and
signal practice followed. If the gridiron
Is muddy Saturday. Minnesota will have
an advantage, but If rain continues
through the week, it will seriously handi.
cap the team in it's practice, and more
than offset the slight benefit Of the wei
grldiron Saturday. Gopher rooters are
nrGv1nQ for al no -,
rain Friday night
Few Good Seats Left.
The sale Of seats for the game has beer
80 brisk that even this morning football
enthusiasts experienced difficulty in get
ting desirable locations. There is little
doubt that the entire block of reserved
seats will be sold by Tomorrow The
general admission tickets, of course, will
not be placed on sale until the gates are
opened, Saturday noon.
g. Among conservative football men tho
opinion prevails that luck and the psycho.
logical element will cut a large figure ir
the outcome Of Saturdays game. Su.
.periority Of nerve will be a large factor
as 1t is in all close games. Last Saturday
the gophers showed great nerve, or great
confidence in their reserve strength Wher
they stopped Illinois repeatedly under the
shadow of their own goal posts. before
either side had made a score. If they car
snow the same nerve and little mOre
Saturday they stand a good show to win
-; Iowa Players Respect Gophers.
Iowa players think Minnesota's line
snashes will worry the Michigan team
Thanksgiving Day. according to dis
patch from Iowa City, which reads as fol
lows:
"Granting that Minnesota will play
Thanksgiving Day as hard game as she
played on Iowa field two weeks ago, the
Minnesota Michigan game will be a hare
contest, it is felt. at Iowa. Minnesota:
backs will hardly be swift enough to ge
started against Michigan in the end runs
but the gopher line plunges should puz
zle the Michigan: team somewhat.
''Michigan's .offense is considered her.
to be harder and fiercer than ever, ant
will undoubtedly win the victory. 1t i
felt, however, that Michigans defense
will be tested as it has never vet beer
tried. In the matter of score. Minnesota
is expected to hold Michigan to j.. thirt,
points,
Minnesota will be at one disadvantag,