New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-07
NEW HOPE AT CORNELL
O'Connor Likely to Solve the
Problem at Quarterback.
BETTER TACKLING NEEDED
Captain Butler Not Likely to
Play Again Before the
Pennsylvania Game.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune

Ithaca, N. Y, Nov. 6-The Cornell foot
ball team showed satisfactory improve
ment in its practice on Alumni Field this
afternoon, and the work renewed the
hopes that were deadened by the game
with Williams last Saturday. long
scrimmage with the scrub, during when
the varsity scored several touchdoWns'
followed by half hour game against the
strong freshman team made up the WORK.
The fact that the freshmen scored
touchdown means little In view or the
fact that they came on the varsity held
fresh from signal drill while the resu-
lars had been hard at IL for an hour.
The score, however, did emphasize one
deficiency, tackling. for the youngster
who made the tally was tackled by three
varsity players before he was downed,
and then slipped from under O'Connor TO
continue his run down the field.
The chief improvement was found in
the punch and fight throughout the two
sessions, feature only apparent for the
first part of the Williams game and an
element in the eyes Of DR.. Sharpe which
is the making or breaking Of a football
team.
The varsity held the freshmen on sew
eral occasions to-day for downs and the
line closed up the holes and broke through
with encouraging regularity. Cornelps
secondary defence still has much TO learn
before II can be effective.
The shift made yesterday of Finn
OConnor from left half to quarter seems
to solve the problem which the coaches
have been working over for long time,
namely. to find a substitute for Butler.
Captain Butler was again injured in the
Williams game, and IL now looks as IL
he would not be available before Thanks
giving Day and then only for short
time. That he cannot be depended upon
leaves O'Connor's place open for competi-
ton. is deemed advisable.
OConnors generalship in the Pennsyl-
vanla game last year warranted his Sc
lection. but the change was made with
great hesitancy and only after the other
candidates. Dixie Smith, Trainer and
Tabor, had been carefully tried.
In order to strengthen the left side OF
the line, which had been weak, William
son was sent over from right tackle to
left yesterday to relieve Munns. who went
to guard. and the same positions were oc"
cupled by these men to-day. on relaole
authority 1t is learned that unless Green
who stands 8 feet inches develops won
derfully in the next ten days, Williamson
will remain on the left wing, with Lahr
taking his place on the right.
In the backtleld to-day with FINN
O'Connor were Windy" Bennett the
crack hundred yard man, and Tabor.
Bennett will be a valuable back II ne
can do anything to improve his tackling'
and with Fritz out Of the game indefinite
" IL is likely that he will have q gooo
chance for the job. The competition Tor
right halfback Is between R B. Whyte
and Tabor, the latter a remarkably fast
runner and a capable man in lodging
tackles.
In short the main difficulty to be reme-
died now seems 10 be the ragged tackling.
II this deficiency can be overcome Cor
nell may yet have a representative team
I'm the games which remain on the sched-
ule. The Cornell players must learn 10
hold on to their man after downing him
and learn how to use their hands in de-
fensiye work.