New-York tribune., 1906-11-24

Football history will be made to-day, when
twenty-five hardy young athletes. representing
Yale and Harvard, will line UP at New Haven
for their annual struggle on the gridron. The
game will be called at 2 o'clock, and the teams
VIII fight up and down the gridiron for two
halves OF thirty minutes each, in an effort to
carry the bail over the coveted goal line and
earn victory which means go much TO eaoh
The football season has reached its zenith, and
while two important games will be played next
week, when Cornell faces Pennsylvania and the
Army viii line UP against the Navy. the meeting
to-day will practically settle the so-called COL
lege championship Harvard has come through
the season without defeat, while Yale has done
the same, although she had TO be content with
tie game against Princeton last Saturday.
What little advantage there was, however, rested
with Yale, that II Harvard wins to-day her
title will be free and clear.
Aside from the Importance Of the game in this
connection and the traditional rivalry which in
vests any meeting between Yale and Harvard
with added interest. the struggle should be mem
orable as q struggle and prove attractive in
throwing more light the effectiveness and
value of the revised rules. The game as played
under the new code is no longer on trial. 1t has
been accepted by coaches, players and followers
of the sport from end OF the country to the
other. but there still remains much to learn, and
So the game to-day should go far toward establish
ing the sport on an even frTner basis.
Interest in the game is widespread. Hundreds
who wanted TO see the contest have been dis
appointed because Of their inability to secure
tickets, and yet the big stands erected on four
sides OF the field, have a seating capacity Of
something more than thrty-two thousand per-
Sons. The few tickets which found their way into
the hands of the Spectators are being snapped
up ct fancy prices, and there won't be a vacant
seat when the two elevens face each other. tt
would be idle to speak OF the popularity of the
sport with these facts before one. IF Yale Field
could accommodate 15,0OO more persons, 1900
more enthusiasts would watch the teams battle
up and down the field. There may be a few
tickets IN New Haven to-day but those who
want them must be prepared to pay well. The
demand has long outgrown the supply.
BOTH ELEvENs CONFIDENT.
The coaches and players of both elevens are
surprisingly confident OF winning and this con-
ndence has spread to the undergraduates and
graduates OF both institutions. In view of this
the betting is largely at even money Early IN
the week, after Yale had shown such improve
ment and played such a strong game against
Princeton the odds favored the Eli team at to
o and to 4. The report however, that Knox.
the brilliant Yale halfback. had a bruised shoul-
der and might not be able 10 play, sent the odds
back to even money, and thousands of dollars
have been wagered, neither eleven lacks fol-
lowers anxious to back their opinion.
The outlook yesterday was for perfect foot
ball weather. and the field is 10 be IN the
best condition. 1t has been carefully covered
with straw the last few days 10 keep the frost
cut OF the ground and protect II as far poss-
bic from the light rains. With the possible ex-
oeption OF Knox the men Of both elevens are IN
fine physical condition. They have been care
fully trained up to this game, and excuses
can be offered by either trainer. Stories have
out of New Haven that Forbes. the dash
ing end, has been under the weather for two
days, and that Captain Morse and Roome were
hardly at their best. hut the looks of the last
two named at least belle the reports. The Har-
ward strong, husky looking lot and. II
appearances count for anything, VIII give q good
account Of themselves.
THE ELEvENs WELL MATCHED.
Never. perhaps, IN the many years that Yale
and Harvard have faced each other on the grid
iron. have the two elevens appeared so well
Z matched. Comparative scores which az a rule
are Of little value. Il close study of tho
teams as whole. and q careful analysis OF the
players man for man lead TO the same conclu-
sion. tie game may result victory by
the narrow margin of one score but that either
+ team viii humble the other looks out of the
question, considering even the uncertainties Of
the sport Harvard g. West Point 0; Yale 10
III III mM 9 ~ "a -