The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-04
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&aAaf Mzszz III 80, ii. ~. IS
LINE IS WEAK"
SAY NEBRASKANS
But Practice Goes On the Same in
the Minnesota Football
Camp.
Special to The Journal,

Special to The journal,
Lincoln, Neb., Oct. 4.-What can Nebraska
accomplish this season when she faces>a formid-
able gridiron toe? This is query over which
Coach Booth is sorely perplexed. Cornhuskcr
rOOters are highly gleeful over the trouncing
given Grnnell last Saturday, in which Booths
pupils were victorious by the one-sided OF
40 to 0, but Booth is not a bit dazzled, altho
it may anomalous to an unusual degree.
In explanation of Booths position, it may be
stated that the season is now three weeks old,
term of sufficient duration to enable the play
ers to show the best that is In them. Booth
Is a careful student, and he is frank to
confess that the Nebraska line will not do.
One OF the wings, from guard to centeA is fair
ly strong; perhaps better than that, but the
men on the opposite flank either out of
form or so fatally weak in solving the various
intricacies that only the unexpected can bring
order where chaos now reigns.
Barta was q distinct disappointment at guard
! when the defensive against Grinnell. He has
the weight and strength, but the Grinnell line
men found 1t comparatively easy to put him out
of the play. In carrying the ball, Barta showed
up to much better advantage. Speer took Bar
ta's place in the latter part of the Grinnell
game, and the 1owans found him a hard nut to
crack. Booth gave evidence Of his appreciation
of Speer's performance by notifying Speer after
the game to consider himself member of the
training table squad.
Right tackle presents another puzzle Burns,
a substitute last season. tried out in that
position against Grinneu, and his showing was
no better than Barta's. Booth has not finally
decided to supersede Burns, but the coach has
son back from right end to tackle, in the hope
that Robinson may yet make good. With right
end still open, Ryan, an old end but somewhat
shy as to speed, is considered the most fornid-
able candidate. Ryans mental apparatus works
along the proper channels by reason of his pre-
Ylous football experience, and mis- knowledge of
the game makes him most likely bidder for Sc
lection as right end. Booth however has not
abandoned all hope of getting Wilson, one of
last years stars, back into the game Wilson
Is badly needed, and his return would be hailed
with positive delight.
Mills Nebraska's mastodonic center rush dis
played his greenness Saturday, but he likewise
gave evidence that he knows how to learn and
that he may yet make a center whose worth to
the cOrnhuskers Is equal to his heft
In the backheld Nebraskas showing was of q
high standard The men are shy as to WEIGHT
but this shortcomng is more than counterhaI
anced by! spirit and experience. Bender Is now
Paying MS fourth year, Benedict and Eager their
third, and Glenn Mason his second. Fenlon who
| alternates with Eager at left half seems TO be
: overcoming his weakness of fumbling and mix
| Ing the signals, and he shows signs of nositive
briliiance in advancing the ball. - =
! Inc palm in the Grinnell game however Ia
| easily az arded to Captain Benedict who is now
| playing quarterback. Heretofore BENEDICT g
1orte was his ability to return pInts and kick
| OILS, or to block for Bender while the latter
was performing like stunt. This wear Rene
| dist exhibits all of his former prowess In RIM
ming down the field, but he is still greater aid
| by reason OF his persistent pushing and pulling
| at the runner who has the ball. A yery large
proportion ,i OF Nebraskas gains against Grinnell
was due entirely to Benedict's assistance given
the runner, and without his aid In that direction
Nebraska could not possibly have harvested :" On
many touchdowns. "