The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-30
SPORTING NEWS.
The Football Situation at Wis.
consin PerpIexing.
University Coaches and Stu
dents Face Problems.
DOUBTFUL MATERIAL.
Plenty efsIt But Quality Of New
Men Uncertain.
Last Year at This Season Pros.
poets Were Bright.

situation at the University of Wiscon-
sin this fall is perhaps the most uncer-
tain in its prospects and the most per-
picking the coaches and followers of
| the cardinal have had to face for a
number of years. Speculation is rife
among the students and other adher.
| ents of the state eleven as to the pros
poets for winning team, and the CHIEF
topic of conversation upon the varsity
campus is football and the football
| outlook.
Last year at this time the prospects
! of the Badger eleven We're the bright
est. The squad included some of the
| stars of the western gridiron of the
| year before, and, while the team was
not as heavy as that of either Michi-
| gan or Chicago, there was a. fair pro-
portion of weight, which is now lack
ing. With this dearth of heavy men
and much green material-which is
now practically an unknown quantity
to handle, the coaches are noncom-
initial. They have not yet had time to
get clear idea of what their new men
are capable.
present the squad numbers so canul-
dates. The quality of these men
can only be discovered by actual work
in games, which is now worrying those
who have charge of the team. There
are numerous applicants for nearly ev-
cry position on the team, but the class
of men trying for the team, generally
speaking, does. not class up with that
of other years.
The chief problem that is worrying
Coach Curtis at present is the selec-
ton of a quarter back who has at once
the requirements of a field captain and
the necessary cleVerness in handling
the ball. Another problem scarcely less
puzzling is the development of tackles
and a full back.
of the old men it is likely that most
If
tions. Capt. Remp has practically no
opposition in the center of the line,
and Bertke is equally sure to be one
of his supports. The other guard is yet
far from decided, although Stromquist
is the man who has been worked in the
position most frequently.
For tackles there seems to be no one
among those being worked for that posi-
ton who shows up in true varsity form.
Deering and Brindley, both of whom
have mad several years of experience
on the scrubs" are making a bid for
the places, but neither plays the game
that viii be necessary to stop the tackle
plays of Michigan or Minnesota.
For ends Findlay, last years tackle,
and Bush, the mate of Capt. Abbott last
year, look good They get down the
field we'll on punts, tackle swiftly and
low. If Coach Curtis can keep Find
lay in his present position Wisconsin
For quarter back Krumstead and
Jones are working about even, Jones is
handling the ball in better shape than
his opponent, but KumStead is of addi-
tional value for back position on ac-
count of his ability as a punter. He
kicks high and long, but is slow in get
ting his punts away.
In the back field, with Vanderboom
and Wra betZ, the two halves who made
most of the gains against Chicago last
year, in the game, the question of
back field will be half settled. For full
back the most promising candidate at
present seems to be Clarke, VINO Will
be the heaviest man behind the line.
If there We're more men like those
who have been mentioned the outlook
for Wisconsin would be better than it
rs. But the ineXperience of the great
majority of the candidates is a diff
Guilty which it will not be easy to sur
mount OF the men trying for the team
for the first time this year few have
had any training. Their Willingness to
work seems general, but that intuition
which must belong to every good play
er, that football sense, which is not the
result of training so much as natural
aptitude for the game, the initiative
quality which enables man to size
up the situation and see the proper
thing before it is too late to do it-tnat ,
seems to be lacking in most of the
members of the squad. and there has
never been a championship team that
lacked this quality.
Until now the men have been taught
the A c of football, but from
now on the whole attention of the
coaches will be devoted to the develop |
ment of a team to meet Michigan in
the first championship game of the sea-
son on October 20.
"The only team we see is Michigan" |
says Head Coach Arthur Curtis. I'VE |
are trying to get into shape for them, |
and everything else is secondary"