The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-10-01
WEST V|RGIN|AN' s
STRENGTH PROVED
GREAT SURPRISE
Saturdays Football Game
Had a Totally Unex-
pected Result.

MoRGANToWN, Oct. 1.-The feat
Of the West Virginia University foot
ball team In holding the great Univer-
sity Of Pittsburgh eleven to 1919 score
here Saturday was the subject about
which al sporting comment ragged all
over West Virginia and Western Penn
sylyania Saturday night and Sunday.
The thing was wholly unexpected.
Even West Virginia coaches felt that
score Of approximately 200 would be
about the best that could be hoped for
the same, with the result that those
who uad the nerve to back West Vir-
GINA TO hold the score below that figure
cashed in handsomely at the close OF
the contest.
The game was played about as
many wise followers OF the gridiron
sport predicted. McLartn, Pitts best
bet in the backfield was the man who
did practically all the damage in gain.
ing ground. His % yard dash at the
very START OF the second quarter put
Pitt in position to score easily and
after Kings unfortunate tumble later
N the same quarter he made another
brilliant dash of the same distance that
put the ball on West Virgiu.a's S.yard
line from where Esterday plunged it
over. The only phase OF the game
that the prophets failed to consider
seriously enough was West Virginia's
strength. 1t had been freely predict
ed that McLaren would fulfill the role
that he did, but West Virg:nia's team
had been expected TO play a defensive
game throughout and to never really
be in position to threaten Pitts goal
line. This expectation failed to ma.
terialize because Rodgers ran the first
kickoff back So yards and then Kings
punt and two Pitt fumbles put the
Pittites on their own Is yard line. A
poor punt by Sizes gave West Virginia
the ball on Pitts 45.yard line and the
first play netted II yards on a pass
Rodgers to Brooks. Three line plays
and pass, however, gave only three
yards and Pitt took the ball West Vir-
ginta had threatened to score, however,
efore Pitt got so much as started. The
rest of the first half, however, was
Pitts, and netted her two touchdowns.
The second half was entirely a West
Virginia demonstration. After kicking
on Pitt Intercepted q West Virginia
pass on he- 4S-yard lire, but Il penalty
set her back Il yards and when Sizes
essayed to run with the ball on the next
play Bailey threw him for a 15.yard
loss. Fit punted and King almost i'm.
medlateiy returned 1t. On thi.; play w.
W.. sa!ped her safety when iJcCarter
OF Pt t, tried to pick up King 5 record
kick on his own one yard line and
Bailey, Ice. Rodgers and almost the
whole West Virginia team piled him
back over the goal line.
On the first play after the ball was
put in play OH Pitts 2U-yard line
Gougler fumbled and Rodgers picking
up the ball on the 40-yard line ran back
to Pitts 1S.yard line. First down here
looked mighty good but on the fourth
trial Ice fumbled behind the Pitt line.
Pitt again put the ball in play OIL her
201yard line and three line pIavs
JAILED. Here Sizes attempted to kick
out Ice was through like a flash and
blocked his attempt. the ball rolling
across the goal. Ice followed 1t and fen
on 1t for touchdown, making tn.
score 1913 in favor of West Virginia.
With five minutes to play West Vir
glnla rooters were mad for another
seore as 1t was evident that Pitt was
on the run. Pitt elected to receive the
leAl KICKOFF and after one first down
the fine WORK Of HarrlCk and Ice forced
Pitt again to punt. Harris, who had
been substituted for Lewis at quarter.
back returned 10 Puts fortv.five yard
line am on the first play pass from
Rodgers To Harris netted u wards
Inc next pass was intercepted by Nc.
Laren, however, ana soon after the
game WIS over with Fit in possession
Of the Eall well in her own territory.
A summary of the game reveals the
fact thai P!tt threatened West Vir.
ginta's goal on only two occasions. l,
g., those that resulted in her touch.
downs. West Virginia on the other
hand by aggressive play and energetic
following OF the ball turned two ex.
pected opportunities into scores but
twice when in a position to score failed
to produce the necessary cams.
So, it was an even game ard West
Virgiria's followers are justified in
shouting at the achievement of their
team.
West Virginia was tested Saturday
and quite creditably did she withstand
the test. Navy Carusle, Da. tmouth,
Rutgers, v. P. l., Washington and JET.
ferson and Wesleyan yet remain to be
played and the conconsus of opinion
seems to be that not more than one out
Of even this difficult list of games
Nshould go on the wrong side of the
ledger. Navy is to be playet at An.
nApolis next Saturday and in spite of
general opinion to the contrary this
will be one of the hardest games OF the
year. 1t will be remembered mat last
year Pitt won from Navy 2O.19 and that
Navy beat West Virginia 1877. This
year the Navy has almost double the
number OF students that are picked
from the finest physical spec mems in
the country, and hef cam is in charge
Of Gilmore Dobie, the great Pacific
Coast coach who comes with an unde.
feated record Of twelve years duration.
West Virginia will have her hands full
ifshe wins next Saturday.
Carlisle plays here on October 18th.
This will be the next game in import.
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