The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-11-29

Point today defeated the Annapolis
football eleven by the score of II to o.
two touchdowns and one goal. The
score does not properly indicate the
relative strength of the two elevens, for
probably not in the history Of the great
university games have two teams been
more evenly matched. The first touch
down for the army was the result of
tumble by one of the navy backs, but
the briniancy with which Upton, the
army's center, took advantage of the
error has never been excelled, if equal
ed, on football gridiron. The game
had been in progress less than ten
minutes; the navy had shown unexpect-
ed strength in defense, while the army's
much vaunted offense had crumbled to
naught. With the ball in midfield
Smith, for the navy, was hurled back
for a loss Spencer also failed and
Howard kicked to the armys 35-yard
line. West Point found the navy line
Gibraltar, and Horney kicked to mid
field. There were three Annapolis men
under the punt, but when all had been
thrown the ball rolled Off to one side of
the mass of players. Upton, coming
on from behind with muscle and brain
both in good working condition, kicked
the ball toward the navy'S goal. Pur-
sued by half a dozen navy men who had
no time to stoop and secure the sphere.
but rushing on he again dribbled it.
His aim was accurate and the ball was
driven nearer the navy's goal. When
within fifteen yards of the coveted line
Upton knew that a touchdown for the
army was inevitable. AS he drew near
to the goal ne began to loosen his bur-
densome headgear and nose guard that
he might better be enabled TO locate
the ball with more accuracy. A third
kick and the pig skin was behind the
navy's goal, Upton lying upon it.
Such deliberation and rear judgment
ir a moment so trying was truly re-
markable. 1t was probably the turning
point for victory for West Point. Up
to this time the Annapolis boys had
really outplayed their heavier oppo-
nents and on the exchange of punts, as
sisted by stiff wind, had gradually
IOTCeQ " est tOlIll HeSTSf neE ONH SOdi
line
Doe missed the goal and-the score
stood to in favor of the army.
Probably never in the memory of the
Oldest football enthusiast has a more
bitter defense been witnessed than that
put up by the navy during the next
twenty minutes of play. On an ex-
change of punts the army secured the
ball on the navy's 50-yard line. From
this point it required twenty-five min
utes for the army to force the ball to
the navy's goal and this with a gift
of yards for off side.
Only once during the game was the
army goal threatened. A few minutes
before the close of the game, thev
navy by brilliant line bueking by Do
herty ana Gormley, the latter having
taken Smiths position at full back.
carried the ball from their own 3S-
yard line to within 20 yards of West
Points goal where it was lost on
downs In this half the advantage.
if there really was any favored the
navy.
Society recognizes the West Point
Annapolis game as the proper foot
ball function. Not in the history Of
the University of Pennsylvania hes
such an immense crowd witnessed a
football contest in this city, with the
exception OF the game which was at
tended by President Roosevelt two
years ago. The ideal weather was an
incentive for those who cared to view
the contest and it is estimated that
there were over 10000 persons present.
On the south stand the army gray
stood out prominently among the null
ti-colored hats and gowns OF those
who surrounded the West Point Sec
ton, while on the north stand the
navy blue, banked on either side by a
veritabie flower garden made the
spectacle brilliant indeed. 1t seemed
!. as though the war and navy depart