The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-23
TIGER PROSPECTS POINT TO LIGHTER TEAM THAN LAST
Auburn GridderS Put In Hard Week Of SCrimmaging
 Work

AUBURN. Ala. Sept. 22.-(Special) A week of toll has been spent by the Auburn grid men. Scrimmages began Tuesday afternoon and each afternoon since has been marked by fierce scrimmaging, with all the for ty-odd cleat men getting into the game.
 Many times each practice the full backs on both the tentative varsity and reserve outfits pounded and pounded at the opponents line in an effort to batter down the defensive bulwalk. Endorsements were con- stantly getting into the thick of the fight in order to give every contend CT a chance to show what brand of football he expected to dish out this fall when the rugged game be meas ured in terms of touch downs. Practically no open work has been exhibited in the workouts this week. Line driving by the backs fro1l power formations have been the order of the day. Extensive efforts have been made by the coaches to drive home the fine points in position, man ner of charging, and defensive line work. No little attention has been given the backs as to the execution OI lIl9 slnpleT lOTINdIlOuS uSSQ ln the workouts to date.
 As the weeks work came to a close late Saturday afternoon the coaches intimated that there were still eleven open positions on the team to be filled. This situation has developed the keenest competition that has been evidenced in many seasons. While there are some few candi- dates that are practically fixture at their old jobs there are many berths on the regular first string and the numerous understudy or sub stitute jobs that are awaiting oc- cupants Of the real tried calibre. Possibilities for the untried variety of the grid men to cinch place on the varsity has not been so great in many seasons at Auburn.
 While a fair nucleus of huskies of last seasons team is available for ESilding the '23 machine the lack of weight in both the forward line and in the back division is very notice- able. This true with any combina- ton that may be worked out with the candidates reporting. The line men in fighting trim will tip the beams around 160 to TO while the backs will not go over 150 to 160 giving promise of the development of a faster but much lighter aggre- gation that has been seen under the standards of the Orange and Blue in many a moon.
 Many knotty problems confront the mentors as the season progresses. In the first place both the front wall and the backfield contingent will ne- cessariy have to be made up of larger proportions of green material most of whom will have their first real experience under fire this season. Secondly; the shoes of Big Ed" shir- ling, John Sirey, and Slick" Moul- ton whose work in the kicking and passing game will be hard to equal and will furnish job of mammoth proportions to the trainers.
 The unusually tough schedule that makes up the fall program Is a mat ter of unsurmountable difficulty. The games arranged this fall make up menu that is one of the hard est in many seasons with possibly that of last season.
 The Tigers will meet a real foe in their opener when they journey to the mountains of South Carolina to meet the Clemson Tiger in his own lair for the opener. The game will be played September 29. In previous seasons game with a prep team has been arranged to serve as an ap- proach to the real season but this year real test will greet the Plains men in their first game.
 Minor injuries are being reported to the gym training crew. Rough Ed" Allen has not been allowed to participate in any of the rough stuff for the past three afternoons on ac- count of minor bruises. Captain "Rip" Reagan and "Flivver" Ford have been ailing with charley horses during the second weeks work. Red" Harkins, while taking part in nearly all the scrimmages this week has been the recipient of several hard knocks during the week. All those appearing on the hospital list at present are expected to be back in harness for Mondays work.