Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-10-12
NOT DISCOURAGED
DESPITE TWO DEFEATS
The Naval Academy Football
Eleven is Still Game.
THREE MEN SHOW ABILITY.
Just What is Responsible for Weakness
OF the Team is Matter Of Specu-
lation at Academy.

In spite Of the defeat by GEORGETOWN
4 week age. and the severe dubb ng
biven by University Of Pittsburgh or
Saturday. the Navy contingent refuses
o be discouraged. and there is conf
ierce in Annapolis that a very marked
Improvement will be noticed next Sat
Irday when the team plays against the
University of Pennsylvania, and that
the team will finally round into shape
and give a good account of itself
against the soldiers on November q.
In the meantime, the coaches are
still experimenting with different com
binations in the baclfield, and are for
from being determined on the sedec-
tion of forwards for next Saturday.
For the present Captain Miles is play
ing halfback on the scrubs. instead of
the quarfeI back on the regulars.
Much was hop~d of Orr, little fellow
of the new class. who showed much
speed and dash in the practice games.
lie started against Pittsburgh, but he
hurt his shoulder early i'm the game
and retired
1t was found to be only slightly in-
iured, and he will be back in the game
in a few days. In the meantime. the
place is being taken by Luth, mem
Der of the squad last year, but not
flrst team man. He PLAYS a strong de-
fensive game. and is handling the team
in good shape, but has not yet shown
any particular ability in running with
the ball
The three men still on the squad " hn
showed the greatest ability in run
ming with the ball last year, are Miles.
Craig and Westphal, bu up to the pres
ent time they have not come up to form
Captain Miles was moved from quarter
to half on the regulars, and then to the
scrub: Craig was given an opportuni-
ty in the Georgetown game, aud did not
accomplish much, and Westphal was
distinct disappointment on SATURDAY.
VAIL who was a substitute quarter
back las yeer. but is playing half this
year, has been able to gain more
ground than any of the others, and he
is also drop-kicking well this year.
Just what is responsible for the weak
ness of the team is a matter of much
speculation at the Academy Certain
ly no set of COACHES could work harder
than Lieut.. Jonas Ingram and his staff,
and there have been several moves
which were of undoubted advantage
to the team.
More attention than ever was naid e.
winter and spring practice, and the
fine fourth class squad was put to work
early and was in fine trim when the
regular season commenced. BY these
means it was expected that tho team
would round ir.o form earlier than ns-
ual, hut Just the reverse has hcen tho
case. Not only was there q good nn.
cleus Of old men, but the new class fur
nished more material than any in the
history of the Academy. with possibly
one exception.
The general opinicn is that the team
is simply developing slowly. and that
the possibilities of an eleven Chat will
meet West Point on equal terms is
present. 1t is pointed out that such
backs as Craig, Miles. Failing. Blod-
gett. Vail and Westphal demonstrated
their ability last season. and their re
turn to form is almost certain There
is mucn material for the line tnan last
year, and nearly all of the same ma
terial for ends. with some notable addi-
ticns. Under these conditions no rea-
son is seen why the team should not
play better pail at an early date