The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-27

work it must be ascribed to his mex
| perience rather than any desire for
| impartiality and no decision affected
the score.
Asked for his opinion on the result
at the close of the game, Bonnie
Owen, the Sooner coach made the fol-
of the referee was a little raw at times
and that with an even break in his
decisions we would have won. But we
haven't any right to kick. Washburn
tried to consult with our manager in
regard to officials but he couldn't be
found. Consequently we had to do the
best we could at the last minute, and
we agreed upon the officials who
worked. 1t all comes in the game,
and you frequently have to take the
worst of things" And with this sports
manltke utterance the plucky little
Oklahoma coach led his proteges off
the field.
Oklahoma certainly had the advan-
tage of the Washburn team in weight.
The team man for man was at least
ten pounds heavier than the local
players.
In many respects the day was an
and the air was just crisp enough to
invigorate the players. The field was
soft and the players were willing to
take greater chances. But the field
kind of mud that is slippery. and this
worked to the disadvantage of both
teams, as men frequently lost their
balance when long gains would have
resulted on drier ground. The mud
probably n1inimized Oklahoma's ad-
vantage in weight.
1t was a poor Thanksgiving crowd
that attended the game; the poorest
probably of any crowd in the history
of the school on this date. The reas-
ons are evident. The dope put Wash
burn out of the running, and the To-
pel1a railroads offered Topeka fans
ample accommo dations to witness the
Kansas Missouri game at Kansas City
In all probability more Topeka peo-
pie attended the Kansas City game
than the local contest-but they did
mt see a bit better football. The paid
attendance couldn't have been over six
hundred.
To those who have seen the Wash
burn team play all season, the de-
Tense of the Blue at critical times,
cannot be forgotten.
After the Sooners had scored, the
Blue defense took a strong brace. 1t
was easy for the Sooners to gain in
the middle of the field, but when the
goal line was near the soft and yield
ing Blue line strengthened to stone
wall.
The offense of the Washburn team
has improved during the intermission
between the Aggie and the Sooner
games. WaShburn played more like a
machine and every man seemed to
know just what to do. Oklahoma's
line held well, but Washburn worked
around the end and made gains with
the forward pass. The only objection
is that Washburn did not play the
offensive more.
In the first half Washburn was out
played. It was here that Oklahoma's
chance to win the game was lost. Her
team seemed to play as though she
had the game cinched and didn't
care what the score was. Time was
fooled away and when another touch
down was wanted the Washburn de-
tense surprised the stands.
Penalties during the game were
than Washburn did for offside play
and holding. Only once a penalty for
holding came at a critical time and
then 1T was hardly within striking
distance. Washburn also lost and the
penalties were imposed without fear
or favor.
No effort is made here to belittle
the efforts of the Oklahoma team.
The Owen aggregation is undoubtedly
as strong a team as Washburn has
played this season with the exception
of Kansas. And it is the best team
that has ever represented the Normal
school against Washburn, which is
saying a good deal. The team is
SIIOuS Ou anu QeISnSe ana
every play is pulled off without fric-
ton. Coach Owen certainly had his
players in the pink of condition for
every man played through the game
and time was not taken out for in
juries received.
The Washburn players survived the
game without serious injury. McVey
had to be taken out but he was sick
when he went in. Robb had
bruised face. All the injuries were
confined to minor bruises.
Smiley featured in the offensive
work of Washburn, and was the most
consistent ground gamer. He was a
hard man for the Sooners to intercept
and had more speed than he ever
possessed before. The forward pass
worked well for the Blue. On de-
fensive work, Washburn relied large
ly on Hopes punting. Hope punted
better than he had for a long time
too. Several of his punts went past
the Oklahoma safety and as a rule
gained ground for Washburn. He
placed his kicks effectively, preferring
to get the ball low and where there
was no player, than to get the kicks
high and allow ends to come down
under them. The Washburn team
showed many of its customary weak
nesses on both offensive and defense,
but as the work of the team had
shown so much improvement these
little errors will be passed UP.
The SoonerS did not have the steam