New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-26
Middies, Crowd-Shy,
Miss Great Chance
Had the Better Team;
Cadets Had Greater
CompoSure
Rs W. ]. MACBETH

The unbeaten Army football team
rose TO the supreme test in its annual
game with its rival, the Navy, at tho
Polo Grounds yesterday afternoon
when. before n crowd OF bO,oOO-the
greatest throng that ever watched a
cridiron struggle in this metropolis
the Cadets triumphed over the Aidshlp-
men by a score Of 10 20 2.
Better games may have been fur
rished by these historic rivals OF the
service schools. Certainly neither OF
the two former Polo Grounds strug-
cles between the two academies COM
pared fsvorably, in expert opinion with
tbe titanic tussle Of yesterday after
noon.
Il was the first time in three ut
tennis that anything approximating Ia
vorable football weather graccd the oe-
ess;op. As a mark OF appreciation the
embrvo generals and tho admiral s
seemed the more determined 20 add
real spice % the spectacular display
that always attends this speciai classic
q the gridiron.
The Navy was beaten yesterday. q j.
fernoon. bat ia was defeat over Wnich
no ni6shipman need feel disgrace. hr
great OHphant viii not AWAY hoia
SWAY on the firing line Of TIC Army.
The middies even showed lue Una.
could stop the murdcrous charges OF
this superman; q line tnat cou-d luin
back the rushes OF Vidal, TOO, quite as
often as this second human bullet was
sble TO jam through. Ihere was 10
fault with the Nays line play .-
Victory hinged on the carly Jump
which the Army rot through the super
excellence OF Olphant and Vidal IN the
first half Of the game. Through inc
last half. indeed, through the greater
mart of the second period as we'll. the
NAVY outclassed, outgeneralied and al
most outgamed the proud Cadets.
The Navy got its touchdown, lhe
first Of many years. by hard work. But
for 81 particularly annoying tumble OF
81 well received forward pass, after the
runner had secured the leather ana
taken a stride. the middies would nave
had another one.
The fatal sin came at time Wnen
be Navy needed encouragement. seven
more points for the middles at thal
particular stage OF the patIe Hle"I
have meant the difference between VIC
tory and defeat. Al.
Now, as TO that early jump OF the
Army. Far be 10 from the writer to de-
tract from the glory Of the 'Uctors;
but may not the mental strain on
young backheld. that had never seen
such a mass Of sport-mad humanity,
have had its psychological effect?
Il is the belief Of the writer that
The Navy lost a grand chance for VIC
tory because of early nervousness on
the part Of the untried backhe!d, for
when the tension once wore on the
midshipmen appeared the better com
bination OF the two.
Barring Oliphant's long runs through
a scattered field that helped so greatly
10 make 10 an uphill and disheartenlng
struggle for the Navy almost from the
very kickoff, the Annapolis boys more
than held their own. Indeed, they AIS
plaved greater versatility. both on at
tack and defence. than their opponents.
Time after time the Middies broke M
well planned forward passes. style
1T which the Cadets were supposed 70
excel. On the other hand, the over
head attack OF the Navy had ITS rival
ronplussed. Also, the Navy was lar
the better team at open play.
A loss Of half the distance to It's goal
limo. inflicted as penalty on the Army