The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-11
Baptlsts Put Up a Remarkable Game, However, and Ala
 bama Was Hard Pressed
FORWARD PASSES AND
 ~THE MILITARY FORMATION
Alabama Held To One Touchdown In First HaIf-HoWard Held For Downs on Alabana's
 one-Yard Line.
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.

BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.
 Alabama defeated Howard college yes terday afternoon by thfee touchdowns and two goals.
 From the kickoff until the conclusion of the game each man battled hercely over every inch of territory. The strug- gle was as sharp and as bitterly con- tested as has been seen In Birmingham in many a day. Never for an instant did the white feather wave, and when time was called, terminating the conflict, every player was fighting as ferociously as when the play was initiated.
 Alabama's first touchdown was scored in the first half, and was the result of a spectacular forward pass from Peebles to Pratt followed by 40-yard run. Burks failed on an easy goal In the second half, Pratt, protected by Coach Pollard military formation, circled Towards left end on a S5-yard run for the second touchdown. Goal was kicked. The third touchdown was the result of 3O-yard quick delayed pass through center, executed by Mudd, who, a moment he- fore, had been substituted for Pratt. again kicked goal.
 Howard, near the conclusion of the first half, had an excellent opportunity to cross Alabamas goal line. The Crim- son-White lost the ball on tumble on its 40yard line. Two beautiful forward passes from Burns to Denny carried the ball to Alabania's 10-yard line, and a line plunge, followed by tackle over tackle, cut the space down another five yards At this point, however, Alabama rallied, and with the ball within one yard yard of the Crimson White goal, Howard was held for downs.
 Coach Counselman. insisting that in taking the ball away from Howard, Ala bama had been guilty of an off-sde play, was exceptionally critical in his remarks concerning the referee. Between the halves, Counselman informed Referee Wallace that he would continue to off. ciate over Towards protest. To the sporting editor of The Age-Herald, Coun- robbed of a touchdown, and evinced, in his manner, the greatest disappointment. Among the spectators there was a vari- ance of opinion as to whether or not Ala bama was off-side. but there was not even whispered intimation that Referee Wallace had ruled other than in the man. ner in which he considered absolutely fair and correct.
 Towards Reversal of Form.
 Towards team. augmented by several heavy and valuable men who did not figure in the game of Saturday week against Auburn, showed a remarkable re- versal of the form displayed in it's first battle of the season.
 Towards line was impregnable. and time and time again Alabama's backs plunged heavily, were felled like shat tered columns. And on the offensive Howard was, at times. very effective. although it often occurred that Ala bama held the Baptists for downs, or forced them to punt.
 In the first half, with the exception of the forward pass that netted the opening score Alabama played straight football, falling to gain, as a rule, through the line, and generally meeting with greater success around the ends.
 In the second half Alabama at tempted several forward passes, soms of which failed, attempted field goal. which failed and employed the mili- tary formation to decided advantage.
 Team of Possibilities.
 Alabama, this season. is represented by very light team, a team which averages only 156 pounds However. its action is rapid, and it reveals the characteristics of a we'll trained ag- gregation.
 As usual, Alabama is as tricky as l Georgia mule, and it's variety of plays is infinite. In yesterdays game, when it is known that Pollard refrained from showing everything that he pos- sesses, and when it is realized that 1t is too early for the team to appear in it's most dangerous shape, Alabama so many plays does 1t possess was able to ~trike Howard, in each offensive ac- lon, with sometime previously un- .r1ed.
 To the eye of the student, Alabama. team is one of possibilities, and 1t is more than probable that Pollard, with speed, trick and variety will make up for his handicap in lack of weight His men possess the proper spirit. They are fighters. When felled they in- variably rise and attempt to continue their progress. Their offense yester- day, though often spoiled. was gal lant, well planned, and moved with the ease and grace and rapidity of matchlesS machinery.
 Coach Counselman has a fine aggre- gation of big stra ppng fellows, who have Knowledge of the game, who, in the face of Alabamas greater skill, met each attack with indomitable cour- age. and continued the losing fight as gallantly as if they were achieving a great victory. Howard surprised every one who witnessed the game, and it's ficn hits Cobh Ccha afor u,uars coh,l4o