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Pennsylvania's football season began this year with a new coach and an entirely new system of development. This new regime has brought about a radical change both in the players themselves and in the style of playing. The prospects for a winning team seemed encouraging, as six members of last year's eleven returned to college and the new material was promising, though somewhat under weight. The work during the past six weeks, however, with the exception of the Columbia game last Saturday, has not been up to Pennsylvania's usual standard. While the backs have shown good ground-gaining abilities, the line has been very weak and easily broken up in nearly every game. The backs, notably Gardiner, have proved themselves to be powerful men, but they fail to receive the necessary support from the line. The principal fault of the team as a whole, is that it is too erratic. At one moment it plays a hard and spirited game and then lapses into the ways of a third rate eleven. Dropping punts, bad fumbling and slow interference are all characteristic of the team at times. These defects were the cause of their defeat by Brown, and were prominent in the game with Annapolis. In these games the men took a decided slump, the line was almost helpless on both offense and defense, and the plays lacked dash and vim. This was due in part to the injuries of the men, as a short rest brought about a noticeable change in the team. In the game with Columbia last Saturday, Pennsylvania played a fast and aggressive game, by far the best she has played this season.
In Captain Gardiner, who plays right halfback, Pennsylvania has a strong and consistent ground-gainer. He is powerful on the offensive and a hard tackler on the defense. Of last year's men, McCabe at centre and Dale at quarterback are both playing good football. McCabe is one of the best line men on the team and is a thoroughly competent player. Dale runs back punts very skilfully, tackles well and uses excellent judgment in running the team.
The position of right end will probably be filled by Metzger, who has improved a great deal and can be relied upon to play a satisfactory game. Left end seems somewhat undecided between Richardson and Thomas. Richardson, however, has had more experience in this department. Piekarkski, Mitchell and Hoffman are the most promising candidates for the guard positions. Piekarkski played tackle on last year's eleven and Mitchell has also had a year's training. At left tackle, Torrey has played a capable game this year and is a reliable man. Jones, a new candidate for the team has showed up well considering his short training and seems to be the fastest and most efficient of the tackle men. The position of fullback has been admirably filled by Bennett. He is strong on both offense and defense and has considerable ability in drop kicking. Left halfback has been a somewhat unsettled place. Fortiner plays a hard game, but owing to a slight injury, has not taken part regularly on the team. Weschler and Marshall, two new men have played with a dash and vim that puts life into the entire eleven. Weschler is not fast, but makes up for his lack of speed by the viciousness with which he hits the line. Marshall, on the other hand, is more steady and picks his openings very quickly. The greater part of the punting during the season has been done by Gardiner and Bennett, both of whom are sure and accurate.
The Pennsylvania team has been in excellent physical condition for some time. None of the players are incapacitated through injury and the team as it is now constituted is probably the strongest combination the university can offer.
The eleven has met defeat in several games, but has had excellent training throughout the season and will doubtless put up a hard game. End runs have been relied upon for ground gaining rather than tackles back formations, and a few trick plays, notably the quarterback kick, have been instrumental in winning a number of victories.
The games to date have been:
Sept. 29. Pennsylvania, 12; Lehigh, 0.
Oct. 1. Pennsylvania, 16; Franklin and Marshall, 0.
Oct. 4. Pennsylvania, 17; Penn. State, 0.
Oct. 8. Pennsylvania, 18; Haverford, 5.
Oct. 11. Pennsylvania, 11; Swarthmore, 5.
Oct. 15. Pennsylvania, 36; Gettysburg, 0.
Oct. 18. Pennsylvania, 6; Brown, 15.
Oct. 22. Pennsylvania, 6; Annapolis 10.
Oct. 25. Pennsylvania, 6; Bucknell, 5.
Nov. 1. Pennsylvania, 17; Columbia, 0.
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