The Washington times., 1917-11-01

OF the opposition to the forward pass,
holds q unique place in present-day
gridiron annals.
The sensational open play offense
brought East by Jesse Harper's Notre
Dame players proved a revelation to
Fasteners. Few coaches OF our big
Eastern colleges thought II possible
to employ the offense displayed by
Notre Dame without being accused OF
suicidal intentions.
The old idea OF keeping possession
OF the pigsllin as long as possible had
taken such a firm hold of Eastern
coaches that they refused to Introduce
the forward and lateral passes into
their repertoire Of plays.
1t was the spectacular display of
short and long forward passes pulled
by Jesse Harper's lads in this mem
morable battle that acted as the melt
ing pot for Eastern and Western foot
ball. Ever since this engagement in
1915 these fntersecuona1 battles have
been taking on increased interest
This year these intersectional games
will prove the real classics of the
gridiron season.
Not only is the Notre Dame-Army
game, scheduled TO be fought at West
Point on Saturday, attracting unusual
interest in all sections OF the gridiron
world. but the Pennsylvania-Michig
clash at Franklin Field, Philadelphia,
the following week, the Syracuse
Michigan AEgies game at Lansing the
week after and the Syracuse Nebraska
contest at Lincoln, Neb., on Thanks
giving Day are sure to measure UP in
every way to championship tussles.
Victory Carries Title.
Should the West win all of these
struggles their title to the champion
ship honors would be beyond dispute.
The Army. Pennsylvania, and SYRIA
cuse eievens are typical of cur best
Eastern teams. Each team has shown
enough class to be recognized as a
leader in its district. No eleven in
the East appears to have as much
power to their attack and defense as
the future generals.
in Elmer Oliphant, the stockily
built All-Amer!can halfback, the Army
has the greatest gridiron star OF the
present day. The former Purdue
player is a team in himself. His open
feld running. aggressive line plung-
ing, steady defensive play, spectaeu-
lar passing and consistent kicking
have won a big portion OF the sea
sons honors.
The fact that he has played against
the Notre Dame style of attack 10
the Middle West before going to the
Army post will give him additional
confidence to solve IL Saturday.
Oliphant is the stumbling block
that Coach Harper will be forced 10
remove from his teams path before
a touchdown can be scored by his
Western pupils. His task is a Job
which few mentors would care TO
tackle.
Need for Better Defense.
The fact that the Westerners are
sure to resort to an overhead game to
win Is sure to lessen the defensive
value OF the Army star. A one-nan
defense is possible IN the old style
game. but when a team opens up its
attack SO that II spread. from one
side line to the other, every man is
called upon TO play a good defensive
game.
No one man can cover the width OF
a Gridiron. For this reason the prob
lem which confronts the Army
coaches Is to perfect a defense in
which each man will play his indi-
vidual part without a mistake.
We're coaches 10 pay attention TO
developing individual defensive
strength among their players, rather
than a concerted defense, especially
among their backfield players few
aerial heaves would result in touch
downs.