HARVARD FOOTBALL SEASON

Football at Cambridge this season has been greatly influenced by two important occurrences, first the changes in the game itself which were made by the Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee with a view to mitigating injuries, and secondly the new eligibility rules debaring Freshmen and graduate students. The former by making the play more open has created a much more interesting game in which fast, moderately heavy men with spirit and intelligence are at a premium. The latter by lessening the size of the squad has greatly hampered the development of the team in that there was less material from which to pick first string men.

In the first game of the season under the new rules Harvard defeated Williams 7 to 0. The University team, which had much the stronger line, played intelligent football considering that there had been but three scrimmages previous to the game; but in speed Williams had the advantage. The next two games with the light Bowdoin and Maine teams were easily won by brilliant work, the first with a score of 10 to 0, the second 17 to 0. The game with Bates, won by Harvard by the score of 27 to 6, was a contest which, although one sided, was decidedly interesting and fairly encouraging for the University team. The Bates eleven, light and extremely fast, showed great ability in handling the forward pass and the on-side kick, and scored their only touchdown by the advantageous use of these two plays. In the contests with the Amherst Agricultural College and the Springfield Training School the Harvard eleven showed great possibilities, for the offense and the defense were the strongest that any Harvard team has shown so early in the season for many years, and the forward pass and onside kick were managed with great accuracy. These two teams were defeated by the scores of 21 to 0, and 44 to 0, respectively. Although Harvard won the game at West Point, the only contest away from home so far, by the score of 5 to 0, the eleven seemed to lack much of the team play and striking power which had characterized most of the previous games. The defense, however, was very strong with the result that West Point seldom threatened Harvard's goal line. In a game full of brilliant features Harvard defeated Brown, 9 to 5. The shifting formations, fake kicks, and trick plays of all sorts which were used by the Brown eleven on the offensive, combined with the quickness of the team in following the ball on all occasions, were the main causes of Harvard's low score. On the whole the work of the University eleven in this game was not what it should have been, although at times there was a semblance of team play.

In the Indian game the University team put up the best fight of the season, winning by the score of 5 to 0. Although Captain Foster was unable to play the secondary defense was very strong. The work of Newhall and Starr in handling the numerous punts in the back field was excellent. Starr's work at end in this game was particularly good. The game with Dartmouth last Saturday, although won by the score of 22 to 9 showed the weakness of the University team substitutes many of whom were played in order not to overwork the better men. Dartmouth played a tricky game which proved very advantageous under the new rules, whereas Harvard relied mainly on straight football, practically the only variation being forward passes and onside kicks from formation. The noticeable feature of the game was the excellent way in which the members of the team followed the ball.

Individual Criticism.

Early in the season with Parker, Burr, Kersburg, Osborne, Peirce, Inches, Macdonald, Orr, and Kennard out as forwards, it became evident that it would be much easier to find linemen than men for the back-field. Captain Foster played at left half until he sprained his ankle about three weeks ago. Since then, in order to get him into the best possible shape for the Yale game, his place has been filled by Gilder and Mason. Captain Foster leads the eleven well, is a hard line plunger, and the best defensive man on the team. Wendell, who played right half last year against Yale, was moved, in the middle of the season, from his old position to that of fullback, a change made necessary by the fact that Apononic, the regular fullback, injured his leg. Wendell, who is one of the most conscientious players, is the steadiest ground gainer on the team and also fairly strong on the defensive. Lincoln, who has taken Wendell's place at right half, is a fair all round back. Of the substitute backs Lockwood is fast and a hard tackler, Gilder a good ground gainer, Mason of great value in the secondary defense, and Apollonio and excellent fullback, although he has had little practice on account of his injury. Gray was tried for some time at fullback, and in another year should be a valuable man. Newhall makes an ideal quarterback, for, besides running the team well, he handles the ball with much surety on punts and is of the greatest service in making forward passes, onside kicks, and drop kicks. Next to Burr and Foster he is the best punter on the team. Hall, who is a very sure drop kicker, makes a fairly good quarterback but still lacks experience.

The centre and guards are generally supposed to be the best men Harvard has had for those positions for some time. Parker has been held back by the injury to his shoulder but he is now in good condition; he passes the ball well, is a strong defensive player, and very active for his weight. Kersburg, after playing on the team last year, is very nearly the leader of the eleven; he is a mainstay on the defensive, and helps the runner along well on the offensive. Burr is probably the most valuable man on the eleven; he plays guard in splendid shape, and is the best kicker on the football field today. Osborne and Peirce have developed into good tackles, and Inches plays a hard game but is rather light for the position.

Starr, who was outstripped by Newhall for quarterback, is the best of all the ends, being a sure tackler, fast in getting down under punts, and handles forward passes excellently. he adds strength to the back field when the other side is kicking. Orr also makes a good end, for his height gives him an advantage in open plays when the forward pass and the onside kick are used. Of the remaining ends Macdonald is a very valuable man on account of his experience. The injury to his leg has hindered him a great deal, however. Kennard at times plays a hard game and is a good drop kicker, while Bird shows his lack of experience. Burnham and Miller received shoulder injuries in the West Point game which have practically prevented their playing since.

Harvard has the material and the plays with which to put up a first class game. On the whole the eleven is at the highest point in its development, and determined and intelligent effort on the part of each man ought to make it a winning team.