The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-09-13
VANDALS TO FIGHT
AS never BEFORE
MATHEWS HAS GOOD MATERIAL
TO DRAW FROM AND SEES REAL
BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY

r. L. Mathews, Vandal gridiron
chieftain, had no sooner returned to
Moscow to make ready for the open
ing of football practice September Is
than he was surrounded by anxious
Idaho supporters, seeking some as
surance that prospects were as rosy
as they had been pictured in the
press. But Mathews has never in
the past made practice of counting
his chickens before the hen climbed
on the nest and although he may not
feel uneasy about the oncoming sea-
son he isn't talking. He may have
some very definite conclusions formed
in his own mind, but they are stay
ing there.
This condition need not be con-
strued to mean that Mathews is dis
heartened-far from it. 1t means
that he is going to play the games
one at time, just as he did last
season. Idaho may not win any
games, although the most chronic
pessimist can hardly be justified in
feeling that way, but any football
follower seeing the 1923 Vandal team
play will know at the end of the
fourth period that he has seen real
team in action, which brings out the
purpose foremost in Mathews mind
at the present time-that of giving
Idaho real football team.
Much Available Material
It is true that from the standpoint
of material Idaho has everything to
feel gay over, but reasons for gloom
can be discovered by little search.
For instance, the schedule this season
is so arranged that Idaho must be at
the peak of condition and ability for
the Washington State game at Pull
man, October 10, and stay at the top
until the last game at Los Angeles,
November "a. Six tough games come
at weekly intervals. 1t is not often
that a team is required to get pointed
so early and stay pointed throughout
the season Generally there is
" "set-up" or a weeks lay off some
where along the line.
Further analysis of the schedule
reveals that it contains first . IN
the history of American football.
The closing three games will be
played on one trip. Years ago
coaches would howl and moan if they
were called to play one hard and one
season Idaho played two games on
one trip, and neither was notlceaoly
easy. This year they will follow the |
same route but instead of playing TWO
games will take on three. 1t is be-
1ieved that this is the first time IN
American football that three games
have been scheduled for the same
trip.
Three Games at Home
Regardless Of the blue spots on the
schedule the home guard Will see
more of the team than in any season
past. Three games will be played on
the home field and one at Pullman,
which is only nine miles away.
Much is being whispered over the
coast about Idaho's chances to find
q companion for her basketball cham
pionships. 1t is true that some OF
the veteran talent which featured so
strongly on last years eleven Will be
lost but although the candidates from
the frosh team may be equally good
in basic football it will be sometime
before they are capable of taking the
places of men who have been together
two or more seasons.
Last years team was not success
full from the standpoint of games won
but there was an appeal about the
playing of the 1922 Vandals that made
the crowds flock to see them play,
even though they were certain to lose
1t was that fighting ability that
caused Southern California to invite
the Vandals to oppose them at Los
Angeles, Turkey day, in their big
game.
Regular practice will start Septem-
Der Is and shortly thereafter Mathews
will know how many football men ne
has. According to present informa-
ton the varsity squad will number
around 40. with everyone having a
chance to land a varsity position.
1t has every appearance of being
an Idaho year-barring misfortunes.