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Lawrence Perry, in the New York Evening Post for September 26, has a keen analysis and a just praise for one of the University's strong football points. In commenting on what he calls the "threat game" he says:
"Harvard in the past two seasons made a great deal of the "threat game" from kick formation, Mahan lying back. Mahan threatened three things, two of which he could do well and one brilliantly--punt, forward pass and run. No eleven could be certain what was to happen, and Mahan made the most of the doubtful state of mind. Harvard's interference in the case of a run would pile the tackle all over himself, knock the end galley west and generally take care of the back who was coming up to relieve the two over-pressed defenders on the end of the line. The chances that the full-back has of making as though to run with the ball and then throwing a forward pass will not escape those who understand the game. With at least one defending end and tackle and probably a back smothered the prospect of an eligible receiver of the pass working his way into the open does not need emphasis. Fred Tibbott used to play back for Princeton in 1907 and 1908, but the trouble with him, or rather the system, was that he could neither kick nor throw the forward pass; every one knew that when the went back a run was forthcoming. The great weapon of the kick-formation threat is versatility on the part of the protagonist and the perfect interplay of line and backfield. Harvard lost Mahan, but of course, will endeavor to find a successor--perhaps Flower, perhaps Casey--and then to effect an interlocking system in which each man will do his part to make the play a success. Yale will unquestionably use Le Gore in this way, and if the proper supporting combination can be arranged, he will be a dangerous offensive factor, since versatility is, so to speak, his middle name. Princeton will undoubtedly work over the idea; in fact, every team with a progressive coach will do something with the play if only because it is so difficult to diagnose and stop when it is well worked, and when not stopped is such a satisfactory longgainer."
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