The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-11-09
Blue AND GOLD
FULL OF HOPE
California Eleven Is Con-
fident of Trailing COlors
OF Stanford in the Dust
KICKERS ALL IN SHAPE
Men Indulge in Daily Sig
nal Practice and Await
AnXi0usly for the Battle
KICKERS ALL IN SHAPE

BERKELEY, Nov S-All the glor-
ious uncertainties of the gridiron game
seem illustrated in the experiences
which the blue and gold football
team has had during the last two
weeks. Hope, and confidence have al
ternated with fear and trembling, until
| to-day, with the great contest which
| the California eleven is to have with
the cardinal next Saturday, only four
days away, football enthusiasts who
ordinarily have reliable and accurate
dope" on the varsity's condition and
prospects have to confess themselves
at sea.
They are full of hope, however
First of the clouds that darkened the
football horizon was the illness of Cap
tain Ben Stroud, two weeks ago, neces-
stating his retirement from the team
for few days and threatening to take
him completely out of the big intercol-
legiate game
Gloom settled down on the campus
and was not disSipated until Stroud
emerged from the hospital after four
days stay, sound and in fine fettle.
! Then CALIFORNIA; stock was al par. The
coaches encouraged the ''rooters" and
the rooters encouraged the great plain
crowd of California adherents to be-
lieve all was lovely in the football horo-
scope, as far as NCalifornia's prospects
were concerned.
There. followed however, in few
days, hint that the team had put on
so fine an edge that the men were
stale. overdrawn, and that things again
looked squally for California The
varsity players made an Indifferent
showing against the fast Pomona
eleven, and did not shine with extraor-
binary brilliancy against Oregon or
Multnomah.
This second batch of gloom was sent
flying, however, when Coach Hopper's
pets defeated Nevada last Saturday in
a fast, exciting and we'll played game.
Hopper was pleased, and the univer-
sity's spirits went up to bulb-break-
ing point on the thermometer.
With that showing still on the slate,
along came the measles microbe last
Saturday night, attacking three of the
varsity teams strongest men. and
making it a guessing contest whether
Snedigar, Stern and Howard will be
able to get into the game next Satur-
day.
At this time nothing definite can be
announced about the appearance of
these men in the game, Coach Hopper
saying that probably they will play,
though even so wise and experienced
football general as he cannot venture
a guess as to what the mems condition
will be, in event of their taking part in
the struggle with Stanford.
Kerr took Stern's place at right
guard last night and this evening dur
ing practice, and Kittrelle was used in
Howard's stead. Snedigar has re-
manned in evidence, refusing to admit
that the measles have made him ca
pitulate, though he admits symptoms
that are ominously like measles signs.
Heitmuller and Force are sure of
their places on the team, and each will
be a tower of strength There are
plenty of backs from which to make up
the offensive adjunct of the team, but
it is not likely the lineup in this
respect will be decided upon earlier
than twelve hours before the game.
There are Sperry. White, Boynton.
Kern Graves, Lasater and Mead to
choose from, and all are being given
the polishing off that should fit all or
any of them to make the team, and
give it strength. Booth will probably
get a quarter backs place, though
Whitman and Belknap are possibilities,
and strong ones at that.
The men are being given secret
signal practice daily, and this will be
continued until Saturday.
The bleachers on California field have
been examined by Charles Dorloth Jr.,
associate professor Of structural en-
cheering at the university and his re-
port is as follows:
I have carefully examined the plans and
specifications for the wooden bleachers and
roofs now being built upon California field for
the athletic interests of the University of Cali
fornia at Berkeley, Cal have also in de-
tail examined the work in the field.
AS result of my calculations and examna-
lions 1 am able to state that the construction
is thoroughly safe and excellent in design. In
fact in my opinion. the bleachers and roofs
are of the best of their type that have come to
my notice in this country.