New-York tribune., 1921-11-08
RocLne's Team
Again to Show
Aerial Offellse
Umpire Cochcms RESPONSE
bic for Controversy Over
Shift Play in Army Game
By Ray Mccarthy

Unusual interest is being shown in
tho Notre Dame Rutgers football strug-
gle At the Polo Grounds this after
room. So much has been written and
told Of the prowcss of the tlashy Notre
Dame crew and its expert forward
passing that considerable enthusiasm
has been aroused. 1t is likely, there
fore. that one of the largest Election
Day crowds that ever attended foot
ball game here will be present.
Those who do journey out to the
Polo Grounds to-day will not be dis
appointed. They may not see close
contest, inasmuch as Rutgers does not
measure up to the standard of the
Westerners, but they will see clever
exhibition of football, as good as will
be seen anywhere. Another local col
lege game this afternoon will be be-
tween New York University and Trim
!ty at the field.
Notre Dame is about as smooth a
combination as there is in football 1t
and superb defense, with brilliant
forward passing assault that has no
superiors. The passes are generally
thrown by the slightly built Mohardt
to Kiley, a tall, rangy fellow, who
plays at left end on the team and who
catches the ball with outstretched
hands. That is one of the reasons
Notre Dame receivers excel in the
aerial game. Practically all of its play
ers who receive the pass do so with
the hands instead of the arms. Hence
they are able to take the ball on the
run.
Run From Tandem Formation
The play is run off usually from
o. 1~~> e. IL
in No. l position. The quarterback
standing directly back of the center
takes the ball on a direct pass and
runs to the side as the No. and No.
3 backs drive through the line. Mo-
hardt runs back and takes the ball from
the quarterback as he passes.
Continuing his run obliquely from
the line of scrimmage, he eventually
turns and throws the ball to the re-
ceiver, generally to Kiley. Kiley and
Eddie Anderson. the other end, cross
to opposite sides of the field on the
play. In drawing the secondary de-
Tense out of position the play is most
effective.
The South Bend students also had a
shift play, which starts in step fashion
and is concluded with hop into posi-
ton. That is the play that caused the
controversy at West Point last Satur-
day. And it might be mentioned right
here and now that Mr.. Cochems, who
umpired the game, was largely respon-
sible for the discussion that followed
between the officials and the Army
coaches.
Before the game began the shift was
discussed by the officials and the West
Point mentors. Ed Thorp, who acted
as referee, declared at that time that
If he saw the men in motion before
the hall ho
ly pena!ize Notre Dame. Apparently
everybody was agreed on what was
what and the game began.
Should Have Inflicted Penalty
Shortly after the start, or during the
first part of the second period, Coach
Charlie DAILY appeared on the edge Of
the sidelines and shouted to Cochens,
who, keeping one eye on the game,
turned and gave ear to the Army coach
DAILY advanced on to the field few feet
and Cochems strained to hear what he
ordering the Army man off the field
and penalizing the cadets, as he should
have done, Cochems attempted to get
the attention of Thorp, as much as to
say. This man is complaining about
the officiating. What shall We do?"
Thorp was too busy watching the
game to notice what was going on
o'ohs Ii!e oiueIlHeS. 'Oome OF the NOtre
Dame players were dumfounded. They
were wondering what it was all about
Later Cochems took his position on
the side of the field instead of in back
OF the defensive line. 1t was the first
time we had ever seen an umpire work
a game from that angle. Between the
halves the controversy was resumed,
and it was then that Daily requested
Ihorp to withdraw.
The sum ~, o, -, -
Thorp was and should have been the
sole judge as to whether Notre DANES
shift was legal or illegal. He has
proved his ability long before this. In
tact. In. our humble opinion. he Is one
Ct the best. officials IN the game. All
shifts are legal or illegal, depending
On how the referee sees them, just the
Same as all strikes are strikes In base
ball., according to the opinion Of the
umpire.
Coach DAILY at Fault
Furthermore, regarding shift plays,
the rules specifically state that one
man may be in motion obliquely
towards the goal line before the ball
Is snapped.
However, once the game was on.
neither DAILY nor any other coach had
any license to advance on the field
or even to the side lines to give the
officials advice. DAILY may have felt
he had his grievances but he should
have waited until after the game to
state them.
The fault lies with Cochems for not
ordering the Army man off the field and
for his failure to penalize that breach
OF the rules. AS matter of fact Thorp
did penalize Notre Dame frequently,
something like seventy-four yards in
all. And in the second half Notre Dame
practically discarded the shift, using it
only twice.
While Notre Dame and Rutgers are
engaged In their strife New York Uni
versity and Trinity, rivals of old. will
meet on Ohio Field The Violet eleven
has been doing good work on the grid
iron this fall and should get the vic
tory over the Hartford students this
afternoon
The twelve games played to date have
resulted III four victories for the New
York team and five for Trinity. On