The New York herald., 1920-12-05
STIRRING PLAYS
THAT WON GREAT
GRDRON GAMES
Parke Davis Tells of Single
Strokes That Turned
Tide.
A SPECTACULAR SEASON
How Tom Davies of Pitt
Figured in a Number of
Thrills.
OHIO STATES FORTUNE
-
One Point and Last Minute
Victories That Earned
Conference Title.
by PARKE H. DAVIS.

NOSD@AAt siAO hoIuAAl iAiOiAeif SiA vi
college sports. has enjoyed a popu-
,arity this fall that has broken all
records. outstripped all predictions and
nonplussed It's followers with the prob
len of what is still to come Playing
with the highest skill and technique
the rugged warriors of the gridiron
have waged their stirring battles on
five thousand fields stretching from
the Atlantic to the Pacific and from
the Great Lakes to the Gulf.
The average devotee OF the sport is
Intimately familiar only with the great
games in his own football terrain
This review proposes to give the reader
glimpse Of the best battles that have
been fought during the fall through
out the entire United States.
Those who thrive on thrills declare
the best battles of the gridiron to be
those in which an eleven facing defeat
In the last few minutes of play sud-
denly and Unexpectedly achieves VIC
tory. Such, indeed, is the pleasurable
sensation Of detection suddenly chang
ing into elation. Many games of this
type occurred during the past season.
In fact. it is doubtful IL there ever
has been a previous season in which
so many denouements have rewarded
the never failing faith, fortune and
fighting of the under dog.
Five elevens, Navy, North Carolina,
Missouri, Tufts and Ursinus, enjoyed
the almost continuous turmoil of excite
ment In winning three games on the -e-
spective schedules Of each by single
desperate play against an opponent
who up to that point had held the
upper hand. But there was one gall
lant football band which on four sue
cessive Saturdays valiantly faced de-
feat, but never flinched or faltered.
and fighting, fighting finally in each
instance beat down their adversary in
the last few seconds and once in the
very last second Of play. and so won
each battle and won besides a great
sectional championship. That team was
Ohio State.
Surprises Revealed.
A study of the complete football
records of the fan, pursued along in
ductive lines, reveals numerous sur
prises. The average person giving the
matter no particular thought unhesitat-
ingly would say that the best examples
OF games won by single play would
be found In classification of all
games won by long run from scrim-
mage. The data of all of the intercol-
legiate games In the United States this
fall reveal only n few games won in
this manner. While It is true that the
majority of close games have been won
by plays from scrimmage 1t also is true
that In this particular year these runs
have not exceeded twenty-five yards.
and In tho most numerous instances
have been won by short plunges and
dashes of less than ten yards. The
past season In this respect Is excep-
tional. but the phenomenon Is testi-
inonial to the high defensive strength
OF the backfield men of the United
states in thus. in all close games, pre-
yenting scores by long runs from scrim-
mage.
The best example. and almost the
only example, Of close game won by
a long run from scrimmage is to be
round in the contest between the
University of Pittsburg and It's old and
dearest enemy, Washington and JEFF
ferson. The play occurred late in the
first quarter. Pittsburg, or speaking
OF them as endeared to their followers,
the Panthers, had recovered the ball on
a tumble at mdfield. Lining UP In kick
formation the ball was passed to
Thomas ]. Davies. the Panthers' half
back and one OF the great stars OF
the national galaxy. Davies crashed
through the opposing line. sidestepped
the secondares and instantly was off
on his long flight down the field. AS
ne reached the deep backfield defences
ne increased his speed and literally ran
out Of the arms of his taclSlers and
made the touchdown. 1t was this same
Thomas j. Davies who contributed q of
the q points by which Pittsburg- de-
feated Pennsylvania. scoring once on a
ninety yard run from the kickoff. again
by n sixty-five yard dash with an In
tercepted forward pass and twice by
Two long dashes from scrimmage. The
winning play In this particular game,
however, was achieved by a forward
pass flung by Davies TO Holleran, who
scored the touchdown.
The absence of long winning runs
from scrImmage does not deteriorate the
quality OF winning football In 1920, for
these thrilling plays have flashed In
abundance In many other ways.
Cnraaus Trick Plays.
In presenting the winning plays OF the
close games of the country, precedence
will be given three games because OF the
odd and curious character of the win
ming play, The first OF these three
games Is that between Catholic Univer-
sity and Georgetown. The game is well
under way. and both elevens have
fought In vain to score Catholic has
ise ball and forms to punt. Denoult of
Catholic surprises Georgetown by taking
a position behind the fullbsck Look |
out for a forward pass" shout the
Georgetown backs and warily eye De-
noult The Georgetown fullback also
eliminating punt as forthcoming from
the position Of Denoult, moves closer to
the line. The ball is passed directly TO
Catholics fullback, who instantly lifts |
high punt down the field accurately |
placing II upon the ground. where 1t |
bounds and rolls along. The George
town backs lelsurely allow the ball TO
come to rest Suddenly Denoult swoops
upon Il, seizes II and dashes down the |
field and over the line. Georgetown pro-
tests that Denoult IL off side and there
fore disqualified from touching the ball |
The officials rejoin that Denoult by |
Standing behind his fullback when the
ball was kicked had placed himself on
side, and therefore was eligible to re-
cover the ball With a wave OF his arm