The Harvard Team

Although 53 men reported on September 13 for early practice, the team began the season severely handicapped by a lack of promising candidates for fullback and end positions. The material for tackles and guards was also far from satisfactory. Since that time several former players have come out and a number of men with little experience have shown such rapid improvement that at present all except the end positions are fairly well filled.

The development of the team at first was slow and careful attention was given to the fundamental points of the game and to getting the men into the best possible condition. As a result few men were hurt until regular scrimmages began. The injury to Captain Hurley in the first scrimmage of the season was the first of a series of rather serious accidents which have retarded the progress of the team. Among the most seriously injured have been Nesmith, Hall, Peirce, Squires, Guild, Montgomery and Cavenee.

With the exception of the Bates game, in which Harvard, although scored on by a trick play, made six touchdowns in short periods, the early games were disappointing. Since the Brown game two weeks ago, however, the development of the team has been very rapid. All the work of the season is of course directed toward producing the strongest possible eleven to meet Yale, and although much farther advanced than at this time last year, the team has not yet attained its greatest efficiency.

On the offense there is little to be desired. For halfbacks, Hurley, Foster, Wendell and Leonard are all strong on the attack. Guild and Lockwood, although lacking experience, have both been doing promising work at fullback. Starr runs the team fast and uses good judgment in directing his plays. He has at present no reliable substitute. Neither Brill nor Squires fills his position satisfactorily on the defense, but Brill is valuable on the tackle-back play. Kersburg and Burr, guards, are both somewhat weak in defensive work, but are improving and Burr's punting is of great assistance to the team. White has been doing fair work at centre, where Parker will probably be tried today. Of the ends, Hall is fast, but too light. Macdonald has been doing good work at times, and Leary, who goes in today, showed decided improvement last Saturday.