New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-17
Critics Consider II the Best
Team Ever Turned Out in
Far West
Record of Oregon
Eleven for 1916

Eugene, Ore, Dec. 16.-Pacifc Coast
football enthusiasts are awaiting with
interest the Oregon-Pennsylvsnia game
on January at Pasadena, and while
il is generally recognized that the
Ouakers developed into an exceptional
" strong team for their game with
Cornell there is a feeling here that
they will face a more powerful foot
ball machine than the one from Ithaca
when they line up against Oregon.
Critics who have watched the prog
ress of the game on the coast are al
most unanimous in their opinion that
Oregon has the strongest eleven ever
turned out in the Far West. The test
Of the season came on November II at
Portland. when Oregon defeated Wash
ington State by y 70 3.
II will be remembered that Wash
ington State, with practically the same
lineup, defeated Brown Il 70 D last
New Years Day at Pasadena, and was
rated by Eastern critics as a topnotch-
er. The ease with which Oregon de-
feated Washington State in the recent
game shows that the home team is fit
to play in any company and warrants
the prediction that Oregon will give
Penn a terrific battle at Pasadena.
Oregon Leads on Coast
Oregon and Washington are tied for
the Pacific Coast championship this
season. These teams played a score
less game here on November 4. but in
Justice to Oregon il must be said that
her goal was never menaced, while
Washington was frequently in danger.
Oregon's claim TO superiority is fur
Their strengthened By its defeat OF the
strong Washington State eleven
team that Washington has refused 20
play for several years and by Ore
CONS 1914 victory over California. as
compared with Washington's l4-7 and
1873 scores over the Berkeleyites.
Although Washington has a technical
claim 10 tie with Oregon for coast
honors, all unbiased critics agree that
Oregon has the superior team and
that the authorities of the tournament
of roses at Pasadena acted wisely in Sc
lecting Oregon to represent the Far
West against the East on January /.
The lions share OF credit for Ore
CONS success this year must go to
Coach Hugo Bezdek, who is serving his
fifth year at Oregon. Bezdek was !
pupil of Alonzo Stage at Chicago and
PLAYED on the famous team that defeat
ed Michigan in 1905. He came 20 Ore
gon in 1906 and developed a champion
ship team, and after an absence of
several years, during which he turned
out winning elevens at Arkansas, h.
returned TO Oregon. He has won from
practically every opponent but Wash
ington during the last four seasons,
and has now tied the great aggregs-
ton Of Coach Dobe.
Native Son Captain
Johnnie Beckett, stslwsrt youth
from the golden wheat fields OF East
ern Oregon. is captain OF the eleven.
Beckett played for three seasons on the
Washington High School team ut Port
land before coming 70 college, and is
now finishing his fourth and last year
of varsity football. His regular posi-
ton is left tackle. although he has been
used in emergencies at both end and
half during the last season. He also
does the punting for the team.
Beckett is twenty-four years old.
strips at l9l pounds and has plenty OF
speed and nerve. He has made places
on All-Coast teams repeatedly, and
many critics have doomed him for All
America honors.
Bartlett, smother stslwsrt son Of Ore
gon, fills the other tackle positions,
while Snyder and Spellman are the reg
ular guards. Although not a snowy
player, Risley. at centre, is rated as
the surest pssser in the Pacific Coast
Conference. Teggert and Mitchell, the
veteran ends, will be in their regular
positions on New Years Day and will
give a good account Of themselves