The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-23
PLainsnlen Giue
 Rat Beating In Practice Game

AUBURN, Ala, Sept. 22.-(Special.) ) The Auburn Tigers got their first taste of battle this afternoon for the 1923 season, when they took the Newell freshmen in tow for a 32 to count. The contest throughout proved to be a real scrap. The hot sun beat ing down on the backs of the war ring gridders failed to daunt the courage of either team in their driv- ing efforts to carry the oval across the end line.
 By 3 o'clock more than 8 thousand students and townspeople had lined the sidelines to get a glimpse at their orange an blue footballers as they swung into action for the first time this year. After snappy signal drill Coach Pitt announced ready. Coach Newell, in addition to the firt con- tingent present, had reserve squadron of more than sixty rats fully armoured and ready for his command to get in the fray on the sidelines.
 While there were numerous substi- tutions on both sides the lineup to start with the initial whistle was for the varsity:
 Lawrence, center; Captain Began and Self, guards; Brice and Harkins, tackles; Pruitt and Howe, ends; Peterson, quarter; Williams and Harrison, halves, and Ford, fullback. iio lllSt NcWtiA Cldt iO appear on the field was: Du1ning, center; Holtzclaw and Lavelace. guards; Long and Pruitt. tackles; O'Brien and stone, ends: Edwards, quarter; Akin an Greggs, halves, and Moulton, full back.
 The contest started when Pat Moulton, kicking for the freshmen, sent sent long one over the goal line. The ball was put in play by the Pitts After f6rr frip9 into fha freshmen line the varsity realized that they were up against 8 real tough opponent.
 Time and time again the varsity backs tore into the freshman line, but found consistent gaining to be hard. As the game progressed bet ter team work was in evidence in the varsity ranks, the gaining was easier No counters were registered during first period.
 In the second period the varsity had worked the ball to within strik ing distance and Williams went over right tackle for 12 yards and the first touchdown. Touchdowns were made in the third quarter by Harri- riod by Reese and Harrison.
 Two regulars viewed the game from the sidelines. Allen, half, anc Sitz, guard, were not allowed to par ticipate in the rough stuff on ac- count of bruises sustained in scrim- mages during the week.
 Joe Harrison probably led the field in distance gained. Ford's line bucking resembled his last years form and in most, instances he wa, able to realize gains when given tht ball. Peterson and Williams were consistent gathers throughout the afternoon. Paul Turner working al fullback on the second string var. sity, pounded the freshmen line fol nice gains on numerous occasions The varsity line showed considerable improvement over the practice scrimmages of earlier in the week.
 From among the freshmen rank' several likely looking sprang into light. Earl Robinson. CSrrollton Ga, High, center. held his own il fine shape against his more experi enced opponents. Long, former Gull man county fullback, who has beer assigned line job on the rat team looked good In his first performance Moulton, Cunning, Edwards, Gregs and Pruitt also exhibited some req football ability during the afternoon