The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-08
BADGERS THINK
THEY WILL WIN
REJUvENATED TEAMWITH FIGHT
ING SPIRIT IS EXPECTED.
Manager G. H. Fitzpatrick Says Madi-
sons Team and Rooter Brigade Are
Optimistic and Expect to Triumph
over Minnesota-Gophers at Work
with Deathly Earnestness at
Present. -r.r ...- -...
BY O'LoughlIn.

g., By O'loughln.
Interest in the Wisconsin Minnesota game Is
lust now at fever pitch and will increase until
after the two big teams have met. Minnesota Is
working as never before this season and from
the Madison camp comes word that the badgers
have had increase of confidence since the
Michigan game and general FEELING OF OPIUM
Ism regarding the Minnesota game Is becoming
manifest. -.
Manager c. II. Fitzpatrick Of the Wisconsin
team arrived in Minneapo this morning to com.
plete the business preliminaries of the game:
WISCONSIN Is coming strong said he, land
expect to Of the best struggles Of the
western season when the teams come together.
Tsr' + se ha 500 an
rooters will follow the team 70 minneapolis
bringing the badger band ,, With them Tnr.o. night
and arrive here Friday morning. The interview
ing time between their arrival and the play will
be spent largely, L suppose in resting -, me
corker, If do not miss my guess. We are
coming up here with the expectation Of beating
Minnesota, and If we fail there will be gem
eral disappointment among the Students,
Kilpatrick's ideas regarding the increase OF
interest at Madison are borne out by the press
dispatches of today. 1t is reported from one
greatest number Of players OF the year at Ran
dali field, and the work was witnessed by big
crowd Of students who rooted thru the scrmmage
to put tho fighting spirit in the team. This
sort of thing is going to bring Wisconsin up here
Saturday with a whole fstful Of fight and the
gophers realize that unless they put forth their
supreme strength and speed they Will be beaten.
Wisconsin Improved.
Followers Of football generally agree that
the team from Madison which faces Minnesota
the team With which Yost's had to
tend. The Michigan game proved of great bene-
lat Madison and tie ten days of rejuvenatton and
work expected to put the visitors In condi-
tion for the best battle of the year DR.. Will
lams expects a hard contest, and with team
that could hold Michigan to one touchdown in the
first half the gophers have task before them.
To win from Wisconsin the Minnesota offense
must be faster and more persistent than that ex-
hibited In any game Of the season. The Wis
ronsn line is heavy one quick to charge and
sa So sy h or a of
but consists of heavy plays where weight and
lighting spirit seem sure to give gains unless
the Minnesota line fights to the last ditch.
Wisconsin's offense is not brilliant, but 1T is
of sure nature unless the opponents have the
spirit, strength and dash to get right in and
tional player of the badger bunch, and will give
Mnnesota's ends little trouble. He is a
strong defensive player, and once a gopher sue
ceeds In getting thru the cardinal line he is
pretty sure to encounter a heavy back awaiting
him. Minnesota's defense must be braced and
the offense cannot allow tho slightest letup in
vigorous boot and will keep "sig' Harris at
hard work to keep up with him in a kicking
game. With the ball. Wisconsin is going to
test the gophers as they have not been tested
before this year.
Gophers In Trim.
Luckily for Minnesota, the gophers came thru
the Lawrence game of Saturday with few in
jur1es. One or two men were bruised but none
OF them so seriously but that they will in all
probability get into the Wisconsin game. The
possible lineup Of the team has not been de-
cided upon or made public. "Sig" Harris is
rounding into good shape and will probably start
the game at the Minnesota quarter position.
While he Is not the equal of Hunter on sprint
Ing 1t Is generally thought that his longer ex-
perience and good Judgment will cut big
figure in running the team. If exhaustion or in
jury compels Harris to retire. Hunter is in good
condition to take his place. Nose Strathern
has recovered from his injuries received In the
Nebraska game, and his admirers feel sure that
"Mose" will be equal to the task of accounting
for Remp. Thorpe is rounding Into form and
Dan Smith is showing an improvement over the
somewhat listless form he displayed two weeks
ago. Higher speed yet will be essential from
the big boy from Caledonia. Cases enforced
rest after the st. Thomas game does not seem
Smith, was inclined to go a bit seepily, has
awakened to the fact that better things were
expected of him, and Saturday his many
friends thruout the city and vicinity are ex
necting the Manchester man to give an exhibit
ton of line ripping such he has not done
heretofore The ends realize that they are III
against the time of their lives, and can make
or break in Saturdays game. The backfelt
is drilling in defensive work and attempting t.
speed up their offense.
Minnesota Hard at It.
'">Tonight Wednesday and Thursday evenings
all that remain for the gophers to put OF
their finishing touches With as hard a gam
hardly do anything save light work on Friday
The coaching will likely be of vigorous natlr
at these three 'scrimminnees.
In three, days. Minnesota must "do or die"