Evening star., 1931-11-29

4 Y defied the elements, the
odds and opposition, Army's
Gold helmeted mud spattered
foot ball team staged magnifi-
cent comeback today to admin
lSter a smashing defeat to Notre
Dame, IL to o, in one of the most
sensational upsetS of the 1881
/ season.
Led by Ray Stecker of Hazelton, Pa,
4, che hero of the Navy game a year ago
/ and brightest star of the Cadet back
field, Army aStounded the experts and
che green-shirted warriors by waging a
winning fight from the outset and bat
kling the Irish to a standstill.
Stecker, gaining so yards on a pass
from Travis Brown in the first period,
Saved the way for the first touchdown
by Tom Kilday and personally con-
tributed the second score in the last
quarter with a thrilling 68-yard dash
from scrimmage.
A crowd of $1,000 spectators, the
greatest of the Eastern season, braved
freezing weather to cheer West Points
j., Rrst triumph over Notre Dame since the
great Red eagle ran wild on the same
gridiron in 1927 The game started in
a heavy Snowstorm that quickly turned
the gridiron into a quagmire and ended
in semi darkness, with a thick haze
spreading over the field.
Army's Play Is Superior.
Notre Dame, harassed and frustrated
at almost every turn, went tumbling
down to its second successive defeat
before a team that rose to superb
heights in every department of play.
The Irish, 2-to-1 favorites before the
game, were decisively outplayed and
whipped much more convincingly than
by Southern California week ago.
Their line was outcharged and out
fought by the Cadet forwards, led by
the stalwart figure of Capt. Jack Price;
their passing and running attack failed
to produce a single first down until
midway in the second period, and their
all-America ace, Marchmont Schwartz
yielded the spotlight to the daShing
Army star, Ray Stecker.
Notre Dame, whether caught on the
downgrade or simply unable to organize
its tricky defense in the mud against
such spirited opposition, failed COM
pletely to measure up to expectations.
It was a dismal finish to the season for
a team that appeared headed fort
night ago to national championship
honors for the third successive year.
Army, using all its weapons to the
very best advantage, thrilled even its
most ardent hackers by the effectiveness
of its defense against the vaunted power
and precision of the Ramblers. 1t was
a brilliant comeback for team that
previously had gained few OF the sea
sons breaks and suffered a severe
shock in the death of Dick Sheridan,
star end against Yale.
RepuIses Irish Threat.
Arrny's two scoring flights furnished
the chief excitement of a game that
Il was otherwise hard fought and marked
l by sensational line play, featured by
the Cadets stand in holding Notre Dame
for downs on their 6-yard line in the
second period to repulse the best scor-
ing opportunity gained by the Irish.
The one and only pass tried by the
Soldiers led to their first touchdown.
! The ball was on Army's 43-yard line
4 when Travis Brown, youthful Cadet back
from Auburn Ala, dropped back. Brown
| never has done the passing and this
Il fact, perhaps, misled Notre Dame. At
/ any rate, he tossed down the center
alley to Stecker, who turned just in
time to grab the ball over his shoulder
on the 40-yard line and then sprint
toward the Sidelines. He raced 33 more
i yards before he was brought down by
L .Jaskwich. Notre Dame quarterback, on
the 7-yard line.
Stecker then galloped yards around
Notre Danes right end and Tom Kill
day ripped across the goal line in two
thrusts at the center.
Stecker Thrills Crowd.
It was a tug of war in the mud
between punts, until Stecker electri-
fed the great crowd with his 68-yard
dash down the sidelines for touch
down late in the final period. This
settled the games outcome, even
though Army's defense had been equal
to every previous emergency. Stecker
was shaken loose inside Price at left
Tackle. He Sprinted to the sidelines
shook off three tacklers and scored
standing up in run that duplicated
his touchdown gallop against the Navy
q year ago.
Stecker missed both attempts tc
place-kick the extra point. but the
Army was well satisfied with its even
dozen points, as many as they had
been able to tally against Notre Dame
in three previous years
From end to end Army'S gallant
forwards gave their famous opponents
a terrific battle from start to finish
When they failed TO stop the ball car
rier, Tom Kilday usually was on the
spot to smear the play. Frequently
n the great Marchie Schwartz who
played almost the entire game was
smothered for losses as he tried either
to circle the ends, cut back off tackle
- fade back for passes.
Notre Dame failed to capitalize any
of its breaks" which included re-
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