Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-25
Annapolis Coach Denies
That Saunders Acted Un-
der Orders in Stopping
Great Lakes Hero
MERELY LOST CONTROL
By EDWIN ]. POLLOCK

NERVES beyond control heart pound
AN Ing and dreams shattered Midship-
man Saunders, just boy insane for the
second, lost himself in the whirl of ex-
citement at Annapolis and committed
the most unique football sin that has
been written into records of the great
college game.
Harry Eielson, an apprentice seaman
from the West. was sprinting down the
wh'te-lined Farragut Field on his err
rand Of victory that ended in the 7-s
triumph for Great Lakes over the United
States Naval Academy. Trailing him
and losing ground with every stride,
were terror-stricken Middies. with
each step Eielson was widening the gap
that meant fame to Great Lakes and
defeat to the embryo officers
Midshipman Saunders, substitute on
the sdelines, saw II all through ewes
dimmed by the great humping that was
going on in his chest Through his
numbed mind only the pleadings of the
Annapolis rooters penetrated. Tackle
him Tackle him Tackle him I" 1t
sounded like command. Midshipman
Saunders, a human being, perhaps more
excited than the average merely obeyed
that impulse. He tackled him.
Starts Near Riot
Right out on the gridiron he rushed
and he dropped the flying Eielson with q
tackle that would have done credit to
Jim Thorpe. Three or four Great Lakes
players forming the rear guard of pro-
lection for their victory hero. pounced
upon the illegal substitute and started to
IL
near riot.
Out ran the Navy substitutes and the
Great Lakeg reserve players started
their dash from the opposite side of the
field. The middle cheerers poured from
the stands and 1t was ten minutes before
the field was cleared for action again.
There was no question about the
illegality of Saunders on the field of
play and Eielson was permitted to go on
for touchdown without word Of dis
agreement from the Navy officials.
The reports of the incident were con-
fused, and one rumor had 1t that Saun-
ders made the tackle under instructions
from Coach Gilmour Dobie. The lean
westerner spiked 1t. In way of explana-
tion, he said
Dobie Denies Rumor
"The nervous excitement was toe
much for Saunders. He couldn't control
himself. That's all there was to it. There
was no question about the illegality OF
his act and, of course, the touchdown
was allowed.
II can't understand this rumor that
he acted by direction. 1t would have
been foolhardy had 1 attempted such d
thing. 1t was plain that Eielsop could
hox 90, pl h1 ~ al iuih
to make the tackle, and every one saw
Saunders rush from the side lines. Fur
| thermore, several minutes before, l told
| Saunders to warm up as I intended tC
| put him in the game. He was running
| up and down the sidelines when tn,
| play occurred. l was not near him."
| 1t was a yard back of the goal line
where Eielson gathered in the tumble
| which he turned into a victory for the
western sailors. The Annapolis backs
had plowed their way to a position
that was virtually sure to result In
another touchdown. Only three minutes
remained to be played.
Bill Butler Fumbled
Rin Butler, a Philadelphia boy, with
the ball tucked under his arm, threw
himself at the Great Lakes line. He
| slipped over the coveted goal mark, but
as he was tackled the pigskin slipped
from his grasp. 1t fell directly at the
feet of Apprentice Seaman Eielson. He
snatched it with a low-sweeping scoop
and with the same movement he was
headed for the opposite goal line. 101
yards away.
In his wake trailed his opponents and
hts teammates in wedge-shaped
| spread. Clear-headed even in the in
tense excitement. the western sailors
began clipping off the Navy players, and
when Eielson reached the point where
he was so suddenly interrupted. he was
leading the painting pack by q good five
yards and going, easy.
l The touchdown tied the score, and 4
is particular fact that the kicking o