The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-05
BLUE is STRONG.
Weak Spots in Washburn Line
Being Patched Up.
Scrimmage Last Night Gives
Confidence to Locals.
DEFENSE is IMPROVED.
Expect to Be Able to Hold
Heavy X. q. Plunges.
Masker of Kansas City Will Ref
cree the Contest.

That Washburn line, the condition OF
which will be a strong factor in the
Washburn-Kansas game next Satur-
day, is stronger today than at any
previous time this season. And as a
natural result, the chances of the Blue
against K. u. have been materially in
creased.
The practice of the Blue squad last
night did the business. Two old timers
williams and Millice. former Wash
burn stars came out in suits and buck
ed against the Blue line. Williams is
probably as good a line smasher as
ever appeared on a Kansas college
team, while Millice is an adept at find
ing holes. Coach Weede also Joined in
the movement for smashing holes
through the line of his charges. For
twenty minutes last night these three
men charged on the Blue line. At first
they plowed their way through with
but little resistance but during the last
ten minutes of this practice, the col
legians put up a stonewau defense
Every defect in the lines defense was
shown up and the fact that the charges
of the veterans were finally repealed
augurs much for the Blue against
Kansas Saturday.
There is little to fear from the Wash
burn offense. With it's onside kicks
and forward passes the Blue has as
good a ground gaining machine as
Kansas. II the line can hold so that
the Blue won't be forced to be on the
defense all through the game, Wash
burn will have plenty of opportunity to
use its superb offense-
But the Kansas team, viewing 1t
from any angle. is no poor team. And
they are working hard and behind
closed gates. The Washburn game is
not their hardest for the season, as
Iowa. Missouri and Nebraska are still
to be met by the Jayhawkers. But
would rather win fha WASH
burn game than any of the quartette
yet to be played. Not since 1905 has
the Lawrence team been able to win
from the local collegians. The score
that season was Is to IL for Kansas.
Kansas won because Washburn had a
stage fright in the first half and with
a couple OF fumbles, three touchdowns
were made. In the second half the
Kansans were powerless to make any
gains against the Blue, and on the
whole game the Kansas team was out
played. In 1906 the two teams battled
for an hour only to have the game end
without a score. In that game the
wonderful punting of Millice kept the
Lawrence team helpless. Last seasons
great victory by Washburn is still
fresh in the minds of the football
public How K. u. was outplayed at
every stage. the wonderful S5-yard run
OF George White for a touchdown after
receiving a punt, and the only score Of
Kansas on a tumble, are still subjects
of football gossip in sporting circles.
All this has left a feeling of resent
ment in the Kennedy camp, which they
earnestly hope to alleviate this season
And even with three state university
teams yet to fight. Kansas won't save a
single man nor keep single play
under.
The Kansas squad has one advantage
over the Washburn team. Kansas has
seen Washburn in action when a good
many plays in the Blue repertory had
TO be used as was the case in the
Drake game Saturday. With but o
couple exceptions, the entire team
which will play Washburn on McCook
field Saturday saw the Drake game.
and has a pretty good idea of the
Washburn style of play.
But the Blue didn't uncover every
thing Saturday, and still has a few
plays left and in addition some new
ones which have been developed this
week. The new plays are onside kicks
which are dazzling and just as exciting