The Washington times., 1915-10-25
Navy Sees Substantial
Improvement in Eleven
Its 20 to Victory at Expense of Virginia Polyech-
mic Saturday Believed to Mark Big Turn for Bet
ter in Football at Annapolis

he done. and done continually and with
no lctup. If real Navy team IL to be
developed by the close of the season.
For one thing. there can be no doubt
mat the line has improved In aggr"s-
siveness. head work and general fight
ing qualities. For another, there can
be no question that tho backs sre show;
ing greater Individual ability and
team play. Credit must be given along
both OF these lines. but the weak points
were poor work on the part OF the ends.
failure 10 stop forward pass plays. and
inability OF making effective use OF
these plays themselves.
II was noticeable that nearly every
player that the Navy had behind tho
line was used effectively to carry the
bail. but In most cases tho plays hit
the tackle. and the superior weight and
strength OF the Navy iinemen. together
with the excellent instruction they have
received In order to use these qualities,
Practically the only exception TO this
style Of play were the two good gains
on end runs made by Captain Miles. IL
Ia gratifying to all that this sterling
little player seems to be rounding into
the form that won his place Tor him In
the closing portion OF last season.
Martin. the fourth class find. made
the most regular gains from his posi-
tion, and IL would seem that his speed
would make possible his use In plays
which take a wider course and lead to
longer gains. Westphal used his weight
and strength to good advantage in SINH
lar plays, as did Dashiells. who sue
ceeded him. Won Hcimburg punteri we'll
throughout and made a few short gains.
Luth. Craig. and Vail were In the game
for short periods and had little oppor-
iunity OF showing their value.
II must be noted that the Navy team
is still weak along the lines which are
accountable for the defeats by the Army
team for the last three seasons. namely,
that style OF play known rs modern
foochall, So far. they have proved ready
victims to the variations OF the forward
pass plays which its different opponents
have brought to Annapolis.
The Virginia Polys made at least Il
per cent OF these plays effective. and
they were nearly always for substantial
gains. Moreover. every team that has
played here this wear has brought f
, back who could find his way arount
the Academy ends for large gains
These defects on the defense must OI
| course. be remedied. or the final gam,
| this season Ia not likely to break thu
chain Of Navy defeats.
| On the attack the Navy team show.
| Improvement only along the lines upor
| which II has depended for the last thre,
years. and which have proved insufh
; cient to defeat West Point Its back!
make considerable gains through thu
| line regularly against teams excep
those Of unusual strength. but are gen
| orally not able to circle the ends o
well coached teams. As to the forward
pass, for some reason or other. thu
Navy team has not been able to d'
much with 1t except for the two year
directly after the play was permitted
In all the Army games since, the Sbl
diers have been able to put these owe
on the Sailors and protect themselve
against them. Head Coach Ingram
however. intends that his charges mus
master 1t. and devotes much time to l
daily