The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-02

NAMED to play, and it seemed abso-
1lutely impossible to clear the field, the
lofficials called the game with. the con-
sent of both sides.
The surprise Of the day was the
play Of some of the supposedly weaker
members Of the team. Websted fairly
held the great Maddox even, and out
played him when the Michigan man
was on defense. Michigan picked
Webster's side Of the line for a weak
spot, and sent many plays in that di-
rection, but except for a few minutes
to gain, and more than once Webster
sifted thru and messed up Michigan's
plays behind the line.
l Another surprise was the defensive
work Of Marshall. The colored end,
playing in Burdick's place, did not let
a single play around him. He smashed
the interference we'll, and invariably
turned the runner in if he could not
tackle him. Rogers also played a bet
/ ter defensive game than he has shown
this year. and also did great work in
the Interference.
/ Another star was Sig Harris, who
played quarter in O'Brien's absence.
Sig played the game of his life. His
punts were long and high and Min
nesota had all the better Of it In the
& kicking department., gaining on every
exchange. In returning punts also Sig
did better work than Norcross.
Schacht played the game of his life,
and his line bucks We're responsible for
a large part Of Minnesota's gains.
The game was straight football
nearly all the way thru. Minnesota
tried one or two trick plays, but they
were not successful. Michigan used a
fake interference in the second half
for good gains, but most Of the wolv-
crime plays, like those Of Minnesota,
were simple in character. It was
straight football on both sides, but
straight football of the highest type
In fact it is doubtful if two teams
Which averaged as strong as Mime
sofa and Michigan Saturday, ever met
on a western gridiron. Michigan was
practically as strong as last year. She
had not Weeks brains, anj she had
not Sweeley's leg, but otffrwise the
eleven looked quite as good as the
''Point-a- Minute team. Before the
game, in fact, Yost asserted that the
bunch was stronger than the 1902
eleven. Yet in actual playing skill
Minnesota excelled and had the two
elevens been equal in physical condi-
ton, Minnesota would undoubtedly
have won by one or two touchdowns.
Minnesota's Defense Superb.
While Minnesota's men held out,
their defense was superb. Time and
again Michigan had the ball and tried
to find the weak spot in the line, but
no weak spot was there. The offense,
strange to say, was best in plays
against the line, where Minnesota has
/. hitherto been comparatively weak in
gaining. Around the ends Minnesota
: could make little ground. O'Brien,
? who tries right end by preference,
!, might have got around Longman, but
} neither Davies nor Harris were able to
J get by the crafty Redden.
3 1t has been said that Minnesota won,
41a1 49, 80
: ly doing justice to a plucky foe. AS
t stated above, Michigan's better physical
condition offset Minnesota's superiority
, in offense and defense. But training
is as much a part of the game as
coaching. Michigan has had as much
, bad luck in the matter Of injuries as
. Minnesota, yet Keene Fitzpatrick was
! able to get his cripples into shape. Min
: nesota's trainer was not After carry
> ing the ball forty-ive yards at a
: stretch, and then seventy-f1ve yards
to make a touchdown, it cannot be
! said that Michigan did not earn a tie
) Minnesota gained more ground than
: Michigan from scrimnages, and also
:. in returning punts and kickoffs. Min
D. nesota ol1t-played Michigan during q
: longer time than Michigan out-played
: Minnesota. Yet at critical times Michi-
j, gan was able to protect her goal line
t and she was able to score against g
4
her final squirt. There is honor enough
for both teams in the game played
. Saturday.
S There is no doubt. in the minds Of
e those who witnessed the game Satur-
Y day, that both elevens will go thru the
e season undefeated. The champion.
: ship of the west lies, as it did before
d the game, between the two teams
: Michigan has little to fear from Wis
Z, consin or Chicago, while Minnesota
|, should have an easy time with Illinois
e or Wisconsin. Saturdays lineup
d Minnesota Michigan
g Rogers Capt Il. e. Longman ........R. e
s Webster $500. L. 7. Maddox .......R 7
= Stratl1ern .......... G. Gregory, Ted
e Thorpe, Smith. r. G. Hammond ........ C
: Schacht ......... R. T. Shuttle .......... l.. G.