New-York tribune., 1904-10-17

Harvard has team that tnpresses the OBJ
server as an unusually formidable aggregation.
The narrowness OF its victory over West Point
proves nothing IN its derosation, for the West
Point-FIarvard game is played comparatively
early in the season. It is always close affair.
and the Soldiers invariably have the advantage
IN the matter OF physical readiness It was plain
that the Crinlson's players we're far from being
ft. It was well that they should not be on edge.
II they were on edge at present they would be
stale before the Yale game. and the Yale game,
as every one knows, is the one end that all the
months OF training at Cambridge has in view.
Wherefore it was not surprising 10 see Harvards
players come numbering heavily onto the field,
fat and fair and pleasantly rosy pounds too
heavy for, their best work. But they struck me
as a most promising lot for Wrightinston and
his able assistants 10 deal with. The line has
an unusual quota OF tall heavy. powerful men.
who also showed signs of speed and endurance.
Carney. Parker. McFadden. White and Overson
form the backbone Of the heavyweights and II
Yale can put as much power into her line as
these men represent she will be more fortunate
than now looks probable. Their speed is the
only question. At ends Harvard is not so fortu-
nate Filley and Leary are not Yet fast enough
for their positions. But it does not appear TO be
a good year for ends with any Of the colleges.
There are no particularly brilliant stars n sight
at Cambridge, but, with the neglect or the open
game, upon which all the coaches seem to be set.
stars do not win games nowadays. Catapults
seem TO be In style just now, and apparently the
heaviest md best organized catapult vi win the
championship Of 1901. Harvard has the mate
rial for q first class battering ram II IL is Well
handled. and il seems likely TO be. Hurley is
probably the best ground gamer behind the line,
but Mills and Nichols are all strong, heavy men
and quick on their feet. Noyes, at quarter, ran
the team well and cleanly and gives promise OF
developing into n quarter Of the first order.
Nichols is a fair performer at the kicking end O5
the game and viii doubtless develop still more.
The importance Of developing TO its utmost
extent the strength Of teams kicking depart
rnent was emphasized by the West Point game.
Had the Soldiers possessed a trustworthy drop
kicker the result of the match would have been
q tie for West Point had the ball only seventeeu
yards from Harvard's goal and squarely in front
~ the posts It was the simplest kind OF a goal
m kicl, but apparently there was no one who
could he depended upon TO make even good try
~ :, for the Soldiers rushed on the third down
for two yards and the Crimson stood them up
Aside from this weakness. however. the cadets
have turned out strong and fast team. Their
artack was fully equal to that OF the Cambridge
nls,,ars and on the defensive they repeatedly
baIS ~, the Harvard onslaught and captured the
jeII ~ tbs third down or forced Nichols TO kick
rrT tba lrAvnote Of the teams game is one OF
mr. noYonv ike that OF all the big elevens All
the coaches seem engaged In a conspiracy to de-
feat the object that the revisers Of the games
ruIss bed IN mind-namely. the DEVELOPMENT Of
;he FAST open game. All the backfeld positions
bo--e Ios+ their individuality. The men who
.,,,,,- them might as well be grouped under the
e-ersrsi name of backs. Half the time they play
in the line and forwards brought back into
their positions to get the weight. When this is