The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-12
TRUE TEST WORK
ON At VARSITY
scRIMMAGE PLAY BRINGS ABOUT
SURPRISES.
Preliminary Work While Giving Line
on Speed Develops Nothing of the
Fighting Quality of a Player-Minne-
sofas Squad Really an Unknown
Quantity as Yet.
Bv o,Loughlin.

Scrimmape work started this afternoon with
the university football candidates. 1t revealed
many surprises. There WAS Il demonstration tina L
most of the candidates have Il long FOOTBALL ROAD
before them. The preliminary work of running
under punts and signal practice was the Verlest
Kindergarten work and the scrlmmage ueVelopeu
that some of the men still playing their
high school game, neglecting thought OF team
work and plugging around generally like unprok-
en- colts, feeling the halter for the first time
Some Of those who have shown the best prom
Use in the preliminary work were the worst
offenders in scrimmage action The team IS sun
TO make. 1t is doubtful If any one connected
with the varsity, with the team or its coaching
could tonight put finger upon one of the new
candidates and say with certainty that ne
would be a member of the first team. The most
encouraging feature of the situation Is the wealth
of material from which to make team. Elimi-
nation will come fast in the next few weeks
and unless all signs fail some of those who had
been thought to be stars Will be lucky TO make
the second team.
Yesterday ma rked complete rest for the squad.
Saturday afternoon the exercise was light -Four
teams were out and. one of Them was taken
down out of sight at the end of the main stand
that DR.. Williams might talk to- them and 1nstil
an awe of the bail into their souls. The dust
rose from behind the stand. and when the team
came back on the grdron the expressions on
their faces betokened who have heard
@ishty truths propounded in sledgehammer style.
Overconfdence a Fault.
With the beginning Of the scrimmage work
will come fall in the ranks Of the lads who
have been too confident. Outrunning a team
down the field in getting under punts is salts
factory to the heetfooted lnesman, but it is
an entirely different proposition to get down tho
field when opposedyby a swift-charging line. In
getting thru and then going will come the honor
of the game. Kicking spirals, free from inter-
ruption Is different from having to kick when
eleven Industrious opponents are attempting to
reach in time to make hole with the kicker
in the virgin sod of the gridron. Watching a
ball alone Is different from watching not only
the ball but the other team Good showing
made in preliminary work will not count in get
ting the first team If it is not followed by
equally good work in the scrimmage.
Overcontidence has lost more games than fun
bling weak defense. With the possible ex-
ceptton of Nose Strathern and maybe Earl Cur
rent and Irstled, there is not man in the
squad who has show for the team today. The
work upon which the, team is to be made is
yet to be found out. and the men who
cannot learn the game and follow instructions
are yet to hit the heap of rejected ones. Every
in a suit will be given full and equal show
for the team, and, with all the weight and speed,
raw but available can be said to be 'n
line"
Some of the men have been tried out more
than others on account Of. ''reputation.' These
regulations have been built upon high-schoo1
play, and If their high-sc play has been
faulty it may lead to their failure in varsity
play. Men who do not know a dropktck from
shoulder pad, but who are willing to work anG
quick to learn. may displace some of the dope
favorites who have been watched so closely.
This may lean bit to sermonizing, but tt
poetry. If such does not prove to be the
case, then, in the language of Lord Gilcuddy
INLAY head be used for football and the
play fast and furious"