The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-07
New Offensive System.

Princeton's offensive system presented
so many changes from 1919 that II may
be said it was wholly new. This system
consisted OF three different formations
The first Of these was the tandem for
nation, which also was disclosed to-day
by Harvard and which has been de-
scribed above. The second was the time
honored kick formation. in which Prince
ton doployed both ends extremely wide
The third was a spectacular spread
or wing" formation. In this rlanoeuvre
OF Princeton two backs moved up on
the line of scrlmmage. The line thus
augmented to nine forward was there
upon separated into two sections, with
six players IN one wing and three In the
other. The smaller wing deployed far
out to the left. The quarterback stood
in his customary position one yard be-
hind the line, while he fullback dropped
ten yards back to kicking position.
This Ingenious formation thus stimuli
taneously thrca tened an end run, CEN
tire plunge, a punt and "A variety OF for
ward passes. But the strategy or this
brilliant evolution was not yet complete.
At preliminary signal and prior 10
the snap of the ball one of the players
in the wing OF three men started swiftly
in. directing his course slightly toward
his own goal. As he neared the main
formation the ball with perfect precision
and time was put In play. and at the
same time the player running in. now
at fun momentum. leaped forward and
literally hurled himself at the point in
Harvard's line which was the objective.
The momentum feature of this play
also characterized Princeton's use Of the
kick formation. 1t is the last relic OF
the old momentum mass plays of twenty
years ago. Az used by Princeton II Is
highly ingenious. highly effective and,
unlike the old momentum mass plays OF
other days. Is not productive OF personal
injury Defensiyely the teams present
ed contrasting differences Of interest.
Along the Crimson first line Of defence
the seven forwards were evenly spaced ;
along the Orange line the double space
existed between tackle and end. Both
centres Callahan and Havemeyer,
"roved" frequently.
Each line readjusted itself TO meet the
burden Of attack with only six men, but
still observing the characteristic even
and uneven spacing. Both elevens pro-
tccted their rear areas with the ia
mlliar Kite" formations. varying one
and two men back on punts as position
and down made certain the play 20 be
selected. In previous games. BIRTH Har-
ward and Princeton this season at times
have withdrawn two men from the for
ward line Of defence. employing them 20
reinforce the back field. SO powerful.
however, and so evenly matched was the
line work OF each eleven to-day that
neither Princeton nor Harvard at any
time dared to withdraw more than ono
man. This was Callahan, by Princeton.
and Havemeyer. by Harvard.
An unusual chara cteristic Of this
game consisted In the few plays exc
cuted By both teams. Ordinarily Atty
plas are run off by two contending teams
in each quarter, and when play Is fast a
total number Of plays in period will
total as high as so and SIS. The first
period to-day consisted OF forty-seven
plays the second of forty-tve, the third
Of forty-two and the fourth OF forty
three. not good record for major
football game.