The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-22
STAGE IS SET FOR
FOOTBALL OPENING
Rutgers, With Great 1917
Team Practically Intact,
Starts on Saturday.
BIG BLOwOFF, SEPT 20
BY GEORGE u. UNDERWOOD.

ny GEORGE u. UNDERWOOD.
Had not Bowdoin suddenly cancelled
its gridiron schedule football fans In this
vicinity would have to choose between
West Point and New Brunswick as the
place to go mex. Saturday for the frst
pigskin treat Of the season. The Maine
colleges desertion OF the game left the
Army with an empty date on septem-
Der 2S, and despite strenuous efforts the
gap In the West Point schedule has not
been filled. Accordingly the Rutgers vs.
Ursinus contest at New Brunswick next
Saturday will be without any rival at
traction.
1t now is certain that Sanford's great
eleven OF 1917 will be intact and that
Rutgers will be represented on the grid
iron with an aggregation as great II
not greater. than the one which last
year mopped up the gridiron. 81 to o.
with Eddie Mahans Marines and then
hurled back Cupid Blacks supposedly
invincible Newport Naval Reserves,
IA to b.
Several Of Sanford's stars when they
left college last June went into the army
or took up Government work with no
intention Of resumins their studies this
fall. II is the Governments wish. how
ever, that all students complete treir
college courses unless officially called
TO the colors. That Is what occasioned
the influx of football veterans back to
Rutgers.
When Sanford held his inaugural
practice at Neilren Field Last Monday
he found the following 1917 stars in
u,oleskins and ready for work: Capt
Feitner, tackle Robeson. Francke, Con-
ner and Breckley. ends; Gardner ana
Kelly. halfbacks; Baker. auarternacK'
and Neuschaefer and Rollins, guards
Merit Counts With Sanford.
That turnout would gladden. the heart
of any coach and II was no wonder the
features Of the former Yale star were
wreathed in smiles. In the practice see,
sions last week, however, SANFORD
showed that last years stunts will have
little bea airing on the makeup of the 1918
eleven. There is no petting or pamper-
ing with Sanford merit only counts.
That is why all Of the new men at
Rutgers know they will win a place on
the eleven IL they deliver the goods
There arc several Of the veterans VINO
will have to work to retain their posi-
tons.
Little or nothing is known of the "
sinus eleven that will give Rutgers i's
opening 1918 workout. Last year "
sinus came to New Brunswick 10 pr!
off the lid and vas beaten. :5 to o. An
rod For l.
urday, but no one ever can tell In foo'-
hall In the opening game last season
Sanford sprang some new formations.
Folk who 20 to New Brunswick next
SATURDAY will watch Rutgers pay
closely 10 see what new wrinkle the Jer-
sey football wizard has thought oui be-
tween seasons.
When announcement OF Bowdo.n's can
collation. OF Its schedule fortnigh,
ago was received AT West Point the
Army officials Immediately starteu seek
ing n new opponent to NIL IN the empty
date on September IS, Their EFFORTS
have been without avail. Most OF the
colleges quer.ed had contests scheduled.
Those who did not begged OF. some
were sportsmanly enough to maniully
state the real reason--that they feared
the strong Army eleven
Most OF the college teams this season
rightly can fear the Army team. True
the Cadets have lost the services of the
great Oliphant. but they have gained
back Vidal. Last season, IL Will be re-
membered Vidal, on account of the
memorable hazing episode at the Point.
was declared Ineligible to play football.
Having served his penance the ban was
lifted on him and he comes back this
season as captain and left haltback.
Vidal. one Of tine greatest players that
eve! donned moleskins. will make up for
the loss OF Oliphaut His return to the
game assures the Army a strong team.
and It is no wonder that the boys at the
Point are leaving no stone unturned to
bring about another Army Navy game.
Middies Optimistic Too.
Down at Annapolis Coach Gil Dobie.
Cant Ingram and the MiddHes are just
as optimistic and just as untirinC In
their efforts to bring about renewal of
the grldiron strife between the two rep-
resentatives Of the service. Both elsvens
have left November % open on their
schedules. and Il is or that date 1t !s
hoped the two ancient service rivals will
meet
Considering the pressure that is being
brought 10 belr---there are many rea-
sons why tno game sIlOuN DE plAyeu
and very few why 1t should mott Is
very probable Secretary OF War Baker
will give his consent TO the playing OF
the game. II the contest Is permitted II
will he staged here on the Polo Grounds
Original arrangements called for Yves:
Point to get into acton a week ahead
Of the Navy. Bowdoins cancellirg Of
the game with West Point results in the
sending away Of the Army and Navy
teams 20 an even start. Each will open
on Saturday. October 3. the Army with
Boston College and the Navy with Lebn-
non Valley.
Among the Eastern games scheduled
for next Saturday are Rutgers VS.. Cr-
sinus. Amherst va Middlebury. Dart
mouth VIZ Norwich, Boston VS.. II. l
State. Bucknell We. Mount st Marys
Penn State vs. Muhlenberg. Wesleyan
vs. r. T. l., and Union VS.. st. Lawrence
ON october Colgate, brown, Cornell
Pennsylvania. Syracuse. Williams, Ste
vens Lehigh, SwarthmoIe. New York
University, Tufts, Pittsburg and other
elevens will open their seasons along
with the Army and Navy
NnNTNT AID ITNuC ErYTEn