The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-19
HE'S A HARD LOSER.
Nebraska Manager Says X. o. Knew
Teams Signals.

Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 19.-Resentment
almost amounting to bitterness, rather
imam gloom, is the dominating senti-
sLlent TINS week in the camp of the
l.Sornhuskers as a result of last Satur-
Gays defeat at the hands of Kansas,
.Mnlcn means that the CornhuSkers'
missouri valley championship prospects
nave peen dumped into the scrap pile.
ne present situation may or may not
develop an athletic scandal but there
can be no denial of the fact that the
pehef mas become conviction in Corn
husker circles that the Kansans had
secured advance information concern
ING the Nebraska signals and that the
JdyhaWkerS used this information in
Saturdays game. The athletic author
tiles at Nebraska have taken cog
nlzance of the charge and are now con-
auctlng an investigation the inquiry
oelng pushed by DR.. Maxey, chairman
OF the football committee DR. Maxey
mas not yet concluded his investigation
and refuses to make any authoritative
statement On behalf of the board
Coach Cole is also noncommittaI and
says that he hesitateS to place any
credence in a report which involves the
allegation of spying until definite proof
is at hand. Meanwhile Graduate Man
ager Eager and every Nebraska player
taking part in the game unite in de-
claring that the Jayhawlxers were play
ing on the Nebraska signals during the
greater portion of the contest. The Ne
braska manager says:
Il am absolutely certain that Kansas
knew our signals. In saying this I
realize that it points to the existence
of a traitor in our own camp, but l am
convinced of the truth of the charge.
When the Lawrence rooters reached
Lincoln Saturday morning 1 was some
what amazed at their feeling of pro-
nounced confidence that Kansas was
destined to win. 1t was the confidence
which indicated the belief that they
had sure thing. Before the game had
been in progress for ten minutes I be-
gan to understand just why the Kansas
rooters were so certain of victory. On
almost every line play that the Corn
huskers used the Kansans spotted the
runner and were laying for him. even
before the formation was fairly under
way. It seemed so odd to me from the
sidelineS that / couldn't understand
what was going on, but when the first
half was over and I went to the club
house, the players did not hesitate to
charge that the Jayhawkers knew their
signals and had been calling them off
by telling where the plays intended to
go.
Practically all the ground Nebraska
gained was when a series of plays was
called into action without signals be-
ing sounded by the quarter back. These
were rehearsed in absolute secrecy only
two days before the game. This series
included four plays. On them the
COrnhuSkerS plOWe0 through TOT nearly
forty yards. A forward pass was next
used and twenty-five yards was made
on the play, after which three line
Smashes earned our touchdown. Birk-
ner carried the ball on the last plunge
and three Kansas backs were laying
for Birkner at the right spot when he
came through the line, despite which
he went over for the touchdown, dodg-
ing two tacklers and being downed by
the third as he crossed the goal I am
told that the Kansas authorities deny
that they knew our signals. For the
sake of clean footba and fair sport
would like to hold contrary beliefs, but
in view of the charge by the Nebraska
players that the Kansans were con-
ton of our plays and were so uniformly
successful in spOtting what was com
ing I am forced to the conclusion that
we had a spy in our camp who gave
the Jayhawkers advance information
We intend to sift this matter all the
way to the bottom. DenialS by kansas
will not suffice when the evidence and
the circumstances justify our beliefs
We shall pursue our inquiry and II IL
leads in the direction now indicated
shall be surprised if Nebraska ever
plays Kansas another football game
This is putting it strong, but a policy
of spying on signals is something that
Nebraska will not stand"
Manager Eager's faith in the charge
that Kansas secured the Nebraska sig
nails is demonstrated by his message OF
warning to Coach Catln of Iowa, whose
team PLAYS the KanSans next Saturday.
The Nebraska manager was informed
early in the week that Kansas had sent
an agent to Iowa City to get informa-
ton concerning the Hawkeyes ana
Eager promptly wired Catlin to be on
his guard.