New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-27
Sees Signs of Weakness in End
Play, but Likes Their
Dashing Attack.
WHERE DARTMOUTH FAILED
Improper Handling of the Ball
Opened Way to Fumbling
and Ruined Chances
to Score.
BY Sol Metzser.
rRv Telegraph 10 The Tribune. ]


Princeton, N. j., Oct. 2s-Let me say
that Princeton has an offence-a drlVins'
ripping. line smashing offence! And be-
cause of this, and much loose playing on
the part of Dartmouth in so far as tunoa-
mentals were concerned, the Tigers won
decisive victory here to-day by the score
of % to Z. II was decisive without now
ever, being at all one-sided, as the score
would indicate. for it was a hard and
close struggle, If we are TO judge by the
play of the two elevens. Dartmouth
gained more ground than the Tigers IN
carrying the ball. and it is but fair to say
that lack Of finish in basic plays lost the
Hanover team several additional oppor-
uInities 10 cross the Orange and Black
goal. Fumbles came at critical times
and when fumbles did not break the ad-
vance it was illegal play of one sort OF
another that cost the Green dearly.
on the other hand, while the Tigers did
not gain so many yards in the attack
the offence was a revelation to me- DC
cause Il could deliver the TOUCHDOWN
when it was needed In fact so laVor-
able is this impression that the Tiger
eleven of 1912 seems stronger than the
one of year ago, which rings down
through Princeton history. 1t has an at
eleven.
and the best part of this attack Is that
it is built along the old line smashing
tactics and around a rather studious
looking boy named dewitt, whose line
plunging, barring the most brilliant per-
Torrance Of his teammate, Baker was
the chief factor contributing to Prince
toms offence and its victory.
Conditions were ideal for good football,
so far as the weather counted, but the re-
slippery, though the resulting open play
of the opposing backs seemed to lose
nothing in it's brilliancy because of this
handicap Dartmouth had the heavier
eleven, but the Tigers counteroalanced
this by some driving work, so the game
resolved itself into one of intense in
terest, as it brought into the spot light a
perfect line attack, combined with just
enough of the open play to keep one
thrilled throughout.
Best Of all was the magnificent spirit
of the two eleyens. Dartmouth. denied In
its first effort to score, by costly FUN
BILE on the Tigers 1-yard line, came back
I'm short order and forced the ball over
for the initial touchdown. The plays that
contributed TO this were successful be-
cause OF some fine work by Englehorn,
the Dartmouth left tackle. in opening
holes in the line But more of this man
later.
Princeton, came back with will, and
In a few minutes had a touchdown to Its
credit a free kick gave the Tigers an
other chance, though the effort would
likely have gone for naught except for
some stupid playing by Estep, the Green's
right end, who foOlishly bowled Baker
over after he had made a fair catch. This
was but one Or the examples of lack Of
fundamental knowledge for which Dart
mouth paid such a dear price. SO 1t re-
manned until the second half. Then Dart
mouth came with a great rush, pounding
the ball down to the Tigers danger zone
by some wonderful playing on the part
Of Whitney and Morey. Twice Dartmouth
threatened. The first opportunity went
for naught because Of some fragrant hold
ing. another example OF poor fundamental
play, while the second fell by the wayside
when a tumble gave Princeton the ball
on It's l2-yard line. These fumbles looked
10 me as though they were due to careless
carrying of the ball, the Dartmouth backs
time after time tucking the pigskin under
the wrong arm IN their attacks upon the
Tigers. There is a right arm and a wrong
arm TO use, and II was an even break
which one the big backs Of the Green
placed IL under. This, no doubt contrib
uted to the fumbling that proved so
costly.
Princeton used its offshoot Of the Min
nesota shift" in good style. The Tiger
linemen rushed to their positions and
the shift was well timed. To meet it
Dartmouth had shift of Its own, III
which the men back were practically In
tandem instead OF in two lines, as the
Princeton play was arranged. Each team
got its plays off in remarkably fast time,
considering 1t was a big game. The
backfield men were in the limelight all
of the time, with the exception OF Engle-
horn. who, to my mind, is the best tackle
playing to-day. He was tower of de-
fensive strength TO his team. and upon
offence he would prepare broad way
for the men behind him. 1t was by utiliz-
ing this ability that Dartmouth forced
the way for the first touchdown of the
game.
There was sufficient open play to keel
one on edge all the time, though It is my
opinion that Dartmouth used this style