The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-03

was forced back over the line with the
petus, and the result was a safety by
Michigan.
Should Know the Rules.
This blunder, a common one among
inexperienced players, was inexcusable
in a player on university team. 1t is
possible that Clark did not realize
quickly enough where he was. Had
he done so, he would have at once
dropped to the ground behind the goal
posts. To do so would insure a free
kick for his team from the 25-yard
mark, q distance he could under no
ordinary circumstances hope to gain
IN a run back of the ball against the
charge of the Chicago forwards, and
with the further danger of a tumble
of the ball under the shadow of his
own goal posts
The game was played before a mon
ster crowd and under perfect condi-
tons. Such a -concourse has never be-
fore been seen at a football game in
the west and it fell short-not a whit
of similar championship games be-
tween Harvard, Yale, and Princeton
in the east.
There appeared to be little to choose
between the two teams in point of size
and weight as they trotted on the field
little after 100 O'Clock. If any
thing, the Chicago forwards seemed
the heavier
EckersaH, BeecIler, and Poe.
Also in the back field there seemed
little difference, notwithstanding lit
tie Eckersall. Right here be it said
| that he is the biggest little man that
ever stepped on a gridiron. not eX-
cepting the famous vivid" Beecher of
Yale or the mighty but diminutive Poe,
Princeton's noted halfback of fifteen
years ago.
It is hard to overstate the abilities
of this little Maroon quarterback. He
combines such qualities of speed. sure
ness, and ability to judge distances
and to kick any kind of ball that
any one of them alone would make
him remarkable as a football player.
AS d punter and drop kicker Ecker
sail takes rank with any of the IA
nous men of former times. Moffat of
Princeton, who. though partially a
cripple, for years held the first place
among eastern players for drop kick
ing, was able perhaps to kick as far as
EckerSall but it is doubtful if in his
palmiest days the great Moffat or
Snake" Anes or any of the eastern
cracks were ever able to control the
ball or kick with such uniform ac-
curacy as little EckersalI
And, then, Eckersa1l catch s and re-
covers the ball as well as he kicks. 1t
seems to be second nature with him to
handle a football. Michigan when
kick was expected. nearly always had
two and sometimes three players back
to receive the kick.
Eckersall usually stood back alone
for Chicago. Yet so fairly did he
gauge the kicks that not more than
two or three times during the game
did he fail to get under the bali and
catch it Clearly. When he was unable
to get under it he showed his GOODNESS
and knowledge of the game by waiting
until he was sure of it, rather than
risk a tumble by diving at a bounding
ball.
Several times the spectators looked
aghast to see Eckersall, after he had
made sure that he could not reach the
stand by and allow the eager Wolver-
ines to pounce on the pigslSin.
Yet this was the height of wisdom
on the part of Eckersall. He risked
nothing. and avoided a tumble and a
rough tackle The ball could not go
to Michigan on such play because of
the of-side rule.
Watchful of the Others Play.
Thanksgiving's game showed that
the respective teams had been care
fully coached and drilled to check
the style of play which previous meet
ings had taught them to expect. Thus
Chicago was ready for Michigan
plunges against its center and tackles,
and Michigan was keenly awake to end
plays and especially watchful o.
Eckersall. Not once did the Maroon
quarter, fleet as he is, have a chance
to get clear of the Wolverine forwards.
The game was an unusually open
one. Rarely did either team try buck
ing the line for more than three con-
secutive attempts.
Nor did Chicago have a monopoly Of
the kicking honors. The Michigan backs.
Garrels and Hammond. punted far and
accurately, and on more than one ex-
change they had the better Of Eckersall.
This was most notable in the second half.
when the wolverines had what little
wind there was in their favor.
In the line the teams seemed about
equally matched. At the preliminary
practice it was noticeable that the Mich
igan men started more quickly and went
through their maneuvers more smoothly.
But in the game. though the Wolverines
started more quickly than Chicago, the
players did not strike the line as hard or
aa feroely, nor did they seem 50 rs-en-