The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-10
as we'll as a Minnesota line has ever
promised this early in the season.

The backf1eld Is stronger than usual
in three positions. Irsfield and Davies
are the best pair of halfbacks we have
had in years, in fact, it is hard to re-
call any pair as good, except perhaps
Loomis and Guilbert. There have
been individuals who excelled either
one, but working together they out
class nearly any team that has repre-
scented Minnesota since the inception
of football at the varsity. They are Of
far more value to the team than Van
Valkenburg and Lafans of the 1890
and 1902 elevens. 49, 81 90 -
Minnesota has two frst-class quar-
terbacks in Harris and O'Brien. Har-
ris has had greater experience, and Is
slightly better at catching punts. In
returning punts, tackling in the open,
and carrying the ball in a broken field
O'Brien is the more valuable. Wheth-
err he can keep up his gait against the
strong teams Is a question, and he may
not show as good judgment as Harris
In running the team in a close game,
but on his work so far he looks slightly
better than Harris. Whichever one
gets the place will probably fight with
Eckersall Of Chicago for the place on
the all-western team. - 49, F..
The weak point in the team just now
Is fullback. 'Boeckmann has the nee
essary weight and speed. but appar-
emily is entitled to concentrate his mind
on the game. :, Unless he shows form
greatly different from that he dis
played last year, and from that he has
shown this fall, he cannot by any
means be considered as good man as
Current. The latter is, hard work.
er, and for his first year on the varsity
is playing q creditable, tho notfa SEN
sational game. He is not an unusually
strong line %bucker, but backs up the
line well on defense, and does fairly
we'll in the interference. I. He should
fin the place satisfactorily, If he con-
tinues to improve. - - 49,. :,
Minnesota is rich in back field sub
stitutes. with Bergen, Neussle, -Glea-
son and Kremer. Bergen plays a
strong defensive game, and runs we'll
with the bali; in fact, is good at all
points; of the. game. He is not a
dodger. but relies upon his weight to
shake off: a ,tackler .Neussle is a
lighter man, but plays a nervy game.
head on defense. Gleason is a strong
punter, the best on the squad, in fact;
Is shifty, carries the ball WELL, and is
a fair defensive player. He has hardly
the. physical strength necessary, but
makes a very acceptable substitute.
Kremer is green, but what he knows
OF the game he knows well. He is a
splendid linebucker, and a plucky, de-
fensfve, player. He should make a
valuable man for the varsity next
year. So t.yz 49,, ... ,,, Ill.,.
{. Substitute material in the line is not
Of so good quality. For the ends
Marshall and Luce are the best men.
Marshall is the more experienced, but
is easily drawn in4on trick plays. He
is strong in advancing the ball; and
a. good punter. AS q defensive end,
however he is? hardly up to- standard
and defensive play Isl the most import
antaquality in an end. Luce is COM
paratively green at the game, and lis
quite a bit below varsity standard
now, but promises to develop into ID
good man.. H.. -, - ..ss.,3, !.
At tackle. Oech, has been playing q
fair game, and promises to make a
valuable man with another year III
the varsity SQUAD. OF. the guards and
center men, Pattee; Kicker, Benson
and Russell are doing fair work in
practice, but none of them Is yet up tc
varsity standard; Benson and Russell
the least experienced. Of the: 5quartette
promise the most Improvement. Rand
the heavyweight who appeared, fol
work this week, can hardly be con
sidSred varsity material until, he. has
Ehad much more experience. i