The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-26

the most surprising reversal or form
that could be imagined, Minnesota pill
ed up touchdown after touchdown on
Iowa this afternoon, winning by hnal
score of 81 to 0.
Supporters of the maroon and golo
were almost as thunderstruck as the
Iowans. The Gopher rooters had ex-
pected to see an improvement In their
team, but they had not counted on such
a marvellous advance in form. Inc
Gopher kickers romped through the
line. SKINNED the ends and gave
the Hawkeyes scarcely half dozen
chances to show their offensive
strength.
Davies and Irsfield at halves played
star games and Thorpe at full back
was a host both on offense and de-
Tense, and what was more startling
than ALL the Minnesota line actually
charged. They got the jump on Iowa
on almost every play with the much
abused tackles, Schacht and Warren,
cavoting around like two-year- olds.
Phil King, the Badger coach, when
Schacht plunged through right guard
for ten yards turned to the press box
and asked, "Who carried the ball?'
be BANKED" The noted coach turned
away without finishing the sentence.
Minnesota won because she had
made fully 100 per cent Improvement in
team work since the Nebraska game.
Her line, the most vexing problem to
the coaches, held like a stone wall.
Iowa tried the tackles and failed
to gain. She bucked the center and
~ 70 n
ends, using flying interference, but
Gray and Rogers smashed that inter
ference and the Gopher backs downed
the runner repeatedly for a loss.
There was not a point in the line
where Iowa could count on gain on
the few. occasions on which she held
thesbalI and on offense the Gophers
showed fully as much Improvement.
Real Interference.
There was interference which inter
fered Coupled with this was the
splendid nerve of the two half backs,
who fought every inch of the way.
Once Davies was tackled behind the
line on an end run, but shook off his
man and sprinted SIS yards for touch
down, GLIDING three other crack play
ers Oh his way.
One thing is settled as the result of
this game Davies and Irsfeld will
play the half back positions, barring
injury to one or the other, for their
work today was the best seen by Min
nesota since the days of Southworth
and Pillsbury.
Another thing is settled-Minnesota
is not out of the championship race.
She has an excellent fighting chance
to beat either Michigan or Wisconsin.
Phil King said after the game that
Minnesota played better than she
played at any time last year.
DO you think Minnesota has the
material to beat Michigan?" was ask
ed. The Badger coach looked grave.
Your team played an awfully fast
game" was all he said.
Hardly a criticism could be passed
on the work of any member of the
Gopher team individually or collec-
lively. Flynn was a tower Of strength
in the line and did half the tackling
for the Minnesota team. Smith carried
the ball we'll. the tackles played a good
game, the ends and the whole back
field shared in the glory Of the day.
Harris punted beautifully and return
ed Ochiltree's kicks well.
Yet it should not be inferred that
Minnesota played in real champion
ship form. Her game is by no means
strong enough now to beat the Badgers
OR the Wolverines, but 1t has a good
chance of becoming strong enough to
beat either one.
Iowa Was Not Weak.
Nor did Minnesota win today be-
cause of Iowa's weakness. The Hawk
eyes had as good team, individually
as they have ever had. Their defense
was good, except for the guards, who
were hammered numerically by the
Gophers. Plays over these men sell
dom failing of good gains.
The ends and guards, in short, were
the fatal weaknesses of the HaWkeye
eleven. 1t was Davies round left end
Irs1leld round right, and Thorpe or ont
of the forwards through guard or cen
ter. Smash and run, run and smash
was the programme, and 1T continued
that same way from the beginning tt
the end of the game.
Iowa field was a slough of mud at II
this morning. but before the game be
gan it had dried out so we'll that en(
runs were both possible and profitable
Some Minnesota men were offered tw,
to one on the Gophers, but few bet
were recorded. Many of the Minnesot;
Tooters were frightened off by storie
of the poor physical condition Of thei
team. The day was too warm for tn
fastest football. The heat was oppres
sive even to the spectators.
The First Half.
Minnesota won the toss and chos
the south goal, from which brisl
wind was blowing. Ochiltree kicked OF
to Thorpe, who returned the ball fiv
yards to the thirty yard line. Da
vies was thrown back for a loss an
Harris punted to Jones, who tumble
the leather, but regained it and wa
downed at Iowa's twentyyard line.
The Hawlyeyes tried the ends, blu