Evening journal., 1914-12-21
VARSITY FOOTBALL
HAS MADE Strides
It's a Far Cry From Pioneer
Days to the Yale Bowl
of This Era
EARLY ACCOUNTS OF
GAMES INTERESTING

When the thousands of cheering en-
thusiasts assembled in the Yale Bowl
10 see the annual football struggle be-
tween Yale and Harvard there was
hardly a detail in the immense pic
ture that could be improved. And in
ali that cheering throng the number in
a reminiscent mood might have been
counted on the fingers of a hand. Pos
siblv some old alumnus, bewildered
by the marvellous efficiency OF the
play. harked back in the quieter per-
Sods. 10 the days when his blood and
spirit we're able to keep pace with
tie swift action Of the gridiron.
The contrast that could be drawn,
n the words of the old graduate could
be taken down. between the birth Of
The game that has become the fore
most sport Of the American colleges
and the huge interest with which the
present day battles are watch would
be a wondrous theme.
Yale. Harvard, Princeton, Rutgers,
Amherst, Columbia, Pennsylvania ana
Trinity were the leaders in the sport
In the seventies, when the game was
an innovation and attracted small at
tention compared to the stupendous
crowds that gather for the champion
ship battles Of the present time.
When the sport was in its early
stages as a college game a crowd OF p
600 was the limit Of its drawing pow
pr. though the records show that the
teeams mentioned fought many hard
conquests on the gridirOn.
The game between Yale and Har-
ward in 1875 was the earliest game
between the the large universities and
was played at Hamilton Park, New
Haven. Il was a walkover for Har-
ward. whose superior skin and
strength beat Yale by a score of five
goals and one touchdown, while the
Blue legions tried unsuccessfully to
break through for a single point Then
1000 people saw the game. The line
up was as follows
Harvard Forwards. Cate. Leeds
Keves Blanchard. Tower. Hall, Captain
Seamans. Curtis Bacon, Herrick: backs
Weatherbee Morse.
Yale. Forwards Phelps, Wakeman
Peters. Camp Elliott. Smith, Thomp
son halfhacks. Arnold. Captain John
son. COLES. Wright, Baker, Nurtz
bacl,s. Trumbull Naille. Alden.
Judees-W. A. Whitney for Harvard
j.. y. Mcknight for Yalei referee. r. G
Cornell New York
An account of the game between tho
two universities in 1876 was gwen n
Wilkes Spirit of the Times, and in read
ing il the difference in that part which
may deal with the technical side OF th'
contest may be subordinate TO the oh
vious difference with which the reporter
with realistic spirit of &c recounted q
game. The report said;
An Early Account.
"The football game between the uni
versity clubs of Harvard and Yale col
leges drew 1000 people TO Hamilton
Park. The game opened at p. m. Tn
\ ale men played well together. and TO
a half hour it was an even thing. Har
ward won the first touchdown at tn
Yale goal. Thompson made a fine dro
kick, sending the ball half way aoros
the field. Cushion was after il like
deer. Warts of Yale dragged him dow
Rollins and Thompson had sharp Ell
counter. Time was called. the forty-iv
minutes was up.
"The second inning started. Housto
Of Harvard caught the ball. raced acros
the field; Hatch of Yale checked his ca
reer by throwing him to the grouu,
Taylor Of Yale sent the bah spinnin
back by a well directed kick, sharp pla
around Harvard's goal Herrick of Hal
ward got his thigh wrenchcd so sever,
" he had 70 leave the game Blancl
ard who took his place, sent the ba
near Nale's vital point Thompson
Yale was equal TO the occasion and scr
the bali into Harvards quarters by