The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-15
GOPHERS WORKING
ON A SNOWFIELD
BY O'LoughIln.

Minnesota s football warriors took their daily
practice yesterday afternoon on the snow-cov-
cred diamond on the ball field and while they
were not worked as hard as on some other even
ings they got all they needed, or cared Tor
The footing was soft and the work was of a pol
fishing up and conditioning nature. There was
quarters. .a .-- -. = . :,
The members Of the squad are in splendid
condition and spirit. The victory over Chicago
has not inflated any OF the men and Sarlsle Is
held with wholesome respect. The players are
taking the position that Carlisle can ana must
be licked. but none Of the gophers expect mat
the defeat of the eastern team IS going 10 De
a parade or walkaway. If any OF them are
nursing this thought secretly they are In Tor a
rude awakening under the eyes OF what VIII
probably be the greatest crowd ever witnessing
a football game in the west. -.
Carlisle is going to require the same vigilance
that was expected and needed in the Chicago
game. Carisle's backheld can hardly expect to
win by plunges over Minnesota's line and the
attack will consequently revert more to plays
ION the ends, between tackle and ends ana gains
made thru fakes And tricks. Carlisle has al
ways depended upon trick attack and the new
rules; have probably been Of greater help to the
Indians than to any other big team in the coun-
try The coaches have been loud In their praises
of the new code and as Bemus Pierce has had
the advice and help Of some OF the best football
experts in the east in his coaching the gophers
will have their hands full in handling the red-
skins offense
Backfeld a Wonder. -
Unless all signs fail the Carlisle backfeld Is
going to give Minnesota much more trouble than
was the case at Chicago. In that game Ecker
sail was the only man who caused any worry
for Minnesota. In the Carlisle backfeld all four
men come with records Of splendid work In their
early games thruout the east. Followers OF the
Minnesota team need not be surprised IN the
leastc-if the Indians score. believe Minnesota
will win In the long run, but 1t is not GER
tainty yet-not by any means. Minnesota
Is powerful and the machine worked wondrously
well last Saturday, but Carlisle is expected to
bring more trouble and demand more speed and
alertness than did the marOons. - Minnesota is
speedy, the fastest big team in the country to-
day, barring none, but before thrusting Carlisle
aside with any overconfdence 1t must be remem-
bered that Carlisle, playing off its game, held
Harvard to five points last Saturday and IS
coming with almost identically the same line
up for the gophers-and no injuries.
Harvards line had trouble in holding the In
dams. They did not break thru the big for
scribed it best in saying that they "sifted
thru They got back Of Harvard's line re-
peatedly to get the play before 1t could be
started and the tackling of the Indians has al
ways been as sure as the rolling Of a bowling
ball down the return groove. They get the
with. the ball and get him for keeps in
consistent style. There is no question but that
the Minnesota team is going to meet its hard
est test Of the year In stopping the offense Of
the lighter team. greater number of gophers
are now slated for all-western honors than
ever SUeIOIe anu upon Their SHOWING against
Carlisle will depend their hope of winning a
final place. Carlisle is team to show UP any
weakness If 1t exists. 70 r. ~, fsE
Busy on Field. .,
Northrop field is busy spot these days.
Carpenters are building new boxes, new stand
1ng-room galleries and generally bracing up and
finishing off the stands The big gridiron Is
still under its blanket of hay, foot or more
thick, and if rain keeps off should be in good
condition Saturday. 1t will not be uncovered
until Saturday morning, when a large force of
workers will remove the hay to get. the field
ready for marking. /: After the game the field
will be covered up again for the Indiana game,
the final scene of Minnesota football for 1905.
Every rooter is squeezing for fair day and
q fast grfdiron. Chicago was disappointing in
way in that the game was not spectacular