Evening star., 1933-11-25
BOTH HOPE TO WIN
HOME DAY GAMES
West Virginia, Washington
and Lee in Top Shape.
Rule Changes Urged.
BY II. c. BYRD.

~ GEORGETOWN and Mary
land are rated underdogs
" in their homecoming foot
ball games this afternoon
with West Virginia and Wash
ington and Lee, but both hope to
achieve more than they are ex-
pected to. The Blue and Gray
believes that it is good enough to
give w Virginia a great fight,
G--:. Maryland, despite the fact
that everybody picks Washington
and Lee to win, is looking forward
to a close contest in which it be-
Ieves it has a chance.
West Virginia and Washington and
Lee both came to town last night and
both reported themselves in fit condi-
tion 10 play great foot ball today.
Harry Stansbury, director of athletics
at West Virginia, said this morning that
1T Is true We have lost several games,
but you must remember that we have
Dick Smith, graduate manager of
washington and Lee, gave it as his
opinion that I'VE are under no illusions
about having an easy game with Mary
land, but We are in good shape and our
fellows are anxious to avenge that un-
expected defeat of last week at the
hands Of Centre College
Both Georgetown and Maryland are
ready to send the best they have
against the invaders. Members of both
squads are physically all right and If
morale means anything they are ready
to do battle without any thought OF the
game being won until after the last
whistle has blown.
Both games begin at 2 o'clock.
EROM a standpoint of losses from
this ears squad, Maryland prob
ably is in better shape than any
of the other local schools. Out OF its
varsity squad of 80 only men are
slated to graduate. which leaves Vir-
tually the entire squad to return next
Fall, unless some of them fall by the
wayside because of scholastic difficult
ties. Benner and Snyder. backs. and
Simpson and Vincent. linemen, are the
four men who are seniors. OF these
Simpson has another year of foot ball
if he decides to return.
Three changes in the rules of foot
ball that would 90 lot of good for the
game are the return of the goal posts to
the goal line, the abolition of the dead
ball rule and the elimination of the rule
which provides that man is down the
second his knees touch the ground even
if he is not tackled. Two of these rules
,x,a Iocjnyod RI IN Hl1f
they have no effect on that phase OF
play When ball is fumbled there is
a wild scamble for it anyway and the
fact that it cannot be advanced makes
little difference in the roughness of the
scramble for possession. The rules in
regard to a man being down when any
part of his body touches the ground
was established also to prevent rough
play but it is doubtful if any player ever
was hurt in such play. 1t certainly
detracts good deal from the game, as
does the refusal to allow player to run
with a recovered tumble. The return of
the goal posts to the goal line would
allow the kicking of field goals which
formerly were attractive features and
provided moments of thrill in almost
every game, or at least attempts at field
goals provided thrills.
MO GREATER surprise has been
~ sprung in foot ball than would
result from defeat of Army by
Navy. The Soldiers are. by every cri-
terion of foot hall. so far superior to
the Sailors that the result is looked
uron by many as matter of points.
When this feeling exists and is upset
something of a furore is created in the
gridiron world Such an ending to the
game today is not beyond the limits of
possibility. Navy has all to gain and
nothing to lose. and sometimes under
that condition foot ball team rises to
great and unexpected heights.
Virginia and North Carolina Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and Virginia Mill
tary Institute are idle today, resting in
preparation for their annual Thanks
giving day games. These are among
the oldest rivalries. in the South and
the results mean everything to the sea-
sons of the four teams involved. If |
Virginia can beat Carolina it will ask
nothing more of this years achieve
ments, and the same is true of Virginia
Military Institute.