Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-18
CRIMSON WIN DUE
TO WOODS PLAYING
Passes. Lead to Two Scores
After Cadets Gain Early
13-to-O Margin.
BY ALAN GOULD,
Associated Press Sports Editor.


M tober 17.-Due chiefly
' Y to the extraordinary YER
satility of Capt. William
Barry Wood, jr., Harvard came
from behind today to conquer
Army, IA to 10, in spectacular
game that moved the Crimson to
the front ranks of Eastern cham
pionship contenders.
Trailing by two touchdowns az
ter the first period, Wood direc-
ted a brilliant attack that over
came the Cadets in the second
period. His bullet-like passes led
to a brace of touchdowns by
Bernie White and then the slim
Crimson captain played the stel-
lar role in a defense that repulSed
Army's desperate last-half threats
to regain the lead.
Wood took command of the situation
in the second quarter after Arry,s light
cavalry backfield, featuring Ray Stecker
OF Hazelton, Pa, had romped TO TWO
touchdowns. The crowd OF $4,000 that
packed Niche Stadium and set record
for West Point rocked the old fortiflca-
lions above the Hudson as the Cadets
appeared to be on their way to rout.
Stecker scored the first Army touch
down on a 34-yard cut-back and Sherl-
dan, an end, accounted for the next
one as he bounced on Stecker's tumble
across the Crimson goal line. Stecker
missed one of his kicks for the extra
point, but the big lead looked safe and
the star halfback was withdrawn with
his running mates at the outset Of the
second quarter.
Breaks" are With Harvard.
This was the signal for Wood to turn
the ti6e. With the aid OF two big
breaks" some great running by Jack
Orchard and Bernie White, the Harvard
leader put on show that dazzled the
big throng.
The first of these breaks" was a
penalty against the Army that forced
Ken Fields to punt from back Of his
own goal line, instead Of having the
ball we'll up the field. From the 30
yard line Wood engineered quick
scoring drive. His pass to Orchard put
the second buck White scored.
Here Wood pulled the smartest play
Of the game. He was set to drop-kick
for the extra point, but the pass was
low and he fumbled. Quickly recover
ing and then lodging Army tacklers, he
raced around his left end to cross the
line for the point that later proved de-
cisive.
The second Harvard touchdown came
quickly. Again an Army penalty, Is
yards for holding. enabled Harvard to
90 he he rd i've
White. on the next play, grabbed Wood s
fiat pass on Army's 9yard stripe an6
scored easily. After which the captain
drop-kicked for the point that put Har-
ward in front.
Great on Defense, Too.
Wood, having won the game with his
passing, kicking and quick thinking,
saved it with two spectacular defensive
plays in the last period.
The first was when he tackled Paul
Johnson, Cadet halfback, from behind
after this fiashy boy from Ashland,
Ohio, had gotten into the clear. John
son covered So yards before he was
hauled down by Wood on Harvard's 81
yard line. Johnson got away later for
another wild gallop on a pass from
Fields gaining 80 yards. but with q
minute to play Wood intercepted Fields
next pass ana returned the Dau 10
Army's 36-yard line.
Harvard's rangy line outcharged and
outplayed the Cadet forwards, despite
the great tackling of Capt. Price of the
Army. Twice, however, the Soldiers
held for down inside their 5-yard line
at the outset of the game and again in
the third period.
Harvard registered 19 first downs to
10 for Army, but the Cadets outrushed
their foes, 262 yards to 203 Wood COM
pleted five passes for gains of 1l9 yards,
while Army completed two for gains Of
70 yards.
The victory preserved Hsrvard's rec
ord of never being beaten at West Point.
This was the first game played here
since 1910. 1t was the Crimson's first
triumph, however, since relations were
resumed after a long lapse in 1928.