The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-19

or Auburn. The former yesterday after noon defeated the latter in the most sur- prising game of football ever seen on the local gridiron, the score being 30 to Q.
 The game was witnessed by nearly 4o00 people according to the gate receipts-the largest crowd by several hundred that ever saw twenty-two huskies fight for supremacy in Alabama.
 The game was surprise. Even the most optimistic supporters of the crimson and white had not hoped for @ score bet ter than 12 to 6. or one of like proportions. Such thing as 30 to was never dreamed and the coaches of the two teams are as much surprised as the most casual ob- server of the game.
 Auburn outclassed.
 Alabama outclassed Auburn. At every stage of the game the Tuscaloosa team literally tore it's way through the defense of Auburn. and such interference as Alabama formed has never before been equaled by any Alabama team.
 While star plays were abundant and more than one player made sensational plays, still they take second place when one considers the remarkable way in which the team worked as unit. Every man on Alabama was seemingly anxious to sink himself in an effort to make the team win. Personal glory was not con sidered. It was "all for Alabama" with a swing that was invincible.
 Auburn's Slight Chance.
 Only once did Auburn have the slightest chance to score. Smith attempted to punt on a third down. but the ball was passed very badly and the kick was blocked. The ball rolled back thirty-flve yards and an Auburn man fell on it on Alabama's s four yard line.
 Then A1abama's splendid defensive work was in evidence. Three times the Au- burn team plunged with the ball, and three times the team fell back. It was like the hammer triking the anvil, or when General Lee threw his weak forces against the hundreds of thousands Of Grants army. Alabama stood like a brick wall on this line and with do or die' spirit checked the forward rush of Auburn.
 The Third Down.
 On the third down the ball went over and there ended Auburns chances. But the play served to test the strength of the Alabama team on the defensive. A more superb rally was never made.
 Only once during the game did Auburn show any of the speed and ability which the team was credited with having. Only once did the entire team pull together and show the grit that is required to play football, and then 1t carried the ball down the field for four successive plays with good gains. But a tumble put an end to those aspirations.
 In summing up the game 1t might be said that Aiabama's offensel was nearly perfect: the condition of the, members of the Alabama team was splendid; on tho defense she showed unlocked for strength; in the line her pfunges were half sec ond to a second faster than Auburn 8; better headwork was shown in handling the Alabama team than was shown by Auburn.
 What Auburn Realized.
 Auburn seemed to realize after tho first five minutes of play that she was outciassed that her formations were not effective and not rapidly executed; that her interference was not close and not we'll formed. Several times she attempted fake or trick passes, which were not well executed or were too slow to be successful and lastly the team was not in perfect physical condition. This was especially true of Foy. who played on one foot prac- tically.
 As to the individual players. Alabama had more stars than Auburn. Burks es- pecially distinguished himself, and judg- Ing only from his playing yesterday he seems entitled to a place as one of the backs on the all-southern team. Almost without exception he made his gains when called on to do so.
 Ward played hard game, and used his head to great advantage. He ran with great force when entrusted with the ball. but his prettiest work was his ability to help other runners when they were car rying the ball. On one occasion he actu- ally lifted Sartain through the Alabama line on buck through tackle and carried him 20 yards down the field. Several Au- burn men tackled Sartain. but Ward would pick the big tackle up and literally tear him away from tho man tackling. On another occasion Ben Robertson did practically the same thing, but 1t was not as conspicuous a play as that of Ward.
 All Over the Field.
 Lanier at left end seemed to be all over the field. He pade a number of hne tackles, and he outwitted his opponant at all times. He seemed to handle the heav- fer men on the opposing team with ease, Frank Jones being one of them. His attacks were the fiercest made by foot ball player in Birmingham for several years, and old players said that they had never seen anything so fierce.
 At quarter Smith showed wonderful Judgment. At the critical times he ham, dled his men well and seemed to know intuitively just where Auburn was weak est for a certain play. His kicking of goals was feature, and five times he sent the ball true between the posts. In running he made some nice gains.
 Sartain and Sims were literally bulls when 1t came to hitting the line. On the defensive the latter was particularly strong. He not only handled the opposing tackle, but frequently got around and made tackles on end plays.
 Either Sartain or Sims was good for a gain. and especially Sims. He would blow his way through Auburns Enc like a great ocean liner. tossing the opposing players to one side with ease. It was only when they fell against him in numbers that they were able to drag him to the ground.
 Sturdivant Neill and Robertson played hard and consistent ball from start to finish. Robertson made several pretty