The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-20
o. IS; = $ 3 :;

Minneapolis, Mimi. Oct. 20.-New
coaches, new players-here in
nutshell is the situation at the Uni
versity of Minnesota today.
The new coaches have brought
with them new ideas. They repre-
sent not a few schools of football
thought, but under the inspiring
leadership Of William Spaulding,
the new head coach, these varying
methods and theories have been
fused into a harmonious system Of
instruction. 1t remains to be seen
what will be done in a single sea-
son. The players report at 4:30
and have not more than an hour anil
a quarter of good daylight. Tn IN
comes dusk and a polished white
ball.
One season is a short time in
which to expect great results Of 4
set of &ridiron mentors who found
they must start at the very begin
ming. The players are not only new
but very green. Most of these big
northwestern schools do not have
the advantage of new material
which has been well grounded
through experience on preparatory
or high school elevens such as are
found, say, around Chicago. The
boys are big and strong and willing,
but that is all that may be said for
most of them.
When the squad of Mortimer re-
ported in September it numbered
so men OF them only Captain Oss
and Martineau we're regulars on the
1921 eleven. With this pair for a
nucleus, varsity eleven and sub
stitutes has been constructed with
the most painstaking care.
An interesting sidelight on the
methods of Spaulding, who had IA
years of successful coaching at Kali
amazoo Normal school, is found in
| the fact that since the season be-
gan, until the present time. he has
not permitted his men to advance
beyond the fundamentals. And
when Spaulding says fundamentals,
| defense is meant. Day after day
Minnesota has been drilled in the
basic gospel of protecting her ter
ritory from sweeps. plunges and
| aerial attacks. And she is learning
the virtues of a punting defense,
well covered, that in reality i'm
plies a very deadly attack
What will Minnesota do this year
Every loyal adherent of the gold
and maroon is asking this ques-
ton. For the university has had
two lean football years. This is
| CALLING to the supporters Of an in
stitution which, through the years
has occupied a proud position in
the conference Last fall might
have been very bright. But the at
tack was built around Oss. And
when Oss was hurt in the first game
the Gophers had no cards to play
Last week the team got ny Indiana
very creditably. Indiana is not toe
strong this season, but the manner
of victory was very encouraging.
Now in order, come Northwest
ern, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa
and Michigan. 1t is a pretty tai
order for a green outfit. ever
though the verdancy is less vivid
as it surely will be-each succeed
ing week. \
! Sequential victories Throughout
this season should not be expected
They may come but it Is extremely
doubtful. The line, for one thing
has too much to learn and too shorl
a time in which to learn it. A grea
mistake would be in trying to teacf
it too much at once. Just the plair
simple principles Of Fundamental
line play, viz, defensive and often
sive charging, rugged use Of hands
and a keen nose for the trend o.
play are all that should be at
tempted.
The backfield with Martineau, {
splendid triple threat man, Oss, Nc
Reyand Gross the quarter, is 4
really promising combination.
Bill Spaulding is a compelling
sort Of man, magnetic, careful and
Eparticular as to details. Assistins
him he has Red" Loudon, ole
Dartmouth end, as wing coach
Glenn Frank, former Minnesot.
tackle, for the line. George Hauser
scrub coach. and for the freshmen
IT. Nelson Metcalf. whose record ;,