RIVALS EQUAL IN STRENGTH

It is frequently the case that the spectator at a football game pays close attention to the men who are directly concerned with the immediate handling of the ball and completely neglects to notice the other seventeen or eighteen men who are forming an important part of the assault or repulse, although they may be at some distance from the point of action. The formations of the University and Yale team permit a close insight into the action of every man in every play since the two elevens utilize much the same close formations on the offence and defence. The material differences are these. Following the rule which requires seven men to form the forward offensive line Yale plays three men, guard, tackle and end respectively on each side of the man who snaps the ball back to the rear attack, while the University's forward line consists of an end and tackle on one side of centre with the two guards, the remaining tackle and end playing in the order named on the other side. In the second line of offence Yale places her quarterback directly behind right guard, the left halfback taking the identical position behind lift guard, with right half back standing about four yards further back in a direct line with centre, about a yard or two in front of the fullback. The University backfield assumes an entirely different formation on the offence the quarterback standing close behind centre with the three backs over to one side; the right halfback plays close behind the two guards, a yard in front of fullback, with left halfback laying two yards behind him and slightly to the left.

The University obtains a powerful offensive drive through an attack concentrated on one point by the four line men and the three backs placed directly behind, while Yale, with her already evenly balanced line jumps her backfield men to the right or left of centre in order to concentrate her attack on a vulnerable spot.

Defensive Line-Up.

On the defence the forward lines of the two elevens are similary arranged with the exception that the University balances the men on either side of the centre, who frequently draws back into the second line of defence. This line is then formed by the centre and one of the backs. Two backs wide apart about ten yards further to the rear form the second line of the secondary defence on either team. The quarterback, still further in the rear constitutes the last resort in the defensive machinery of each eleven. It is obvious that the object of this seemingly large number of defensive lines is to guard against the single plays which result in long gains or touchdowns.

A comparison of the methods of offence as employed by either team shows little resemblance between the two attacks, except in the punting department, in which phase of the game the two elevens are of such even power that the team favored by the wind will doubtless be the more successful in the kicking game. Yale bases her ability to score on a plan of offence which aims to outflank the opponent by making a drive at either wing, only to pass the ball laterally over the heads of the opposing men who have been drawn in in an attempt to stop the play. The pass goes toward the sideline to either of Yale's two backfield men who have gotten outside of the opponent's extreme defensive man. Plunges expected to smash the opponent's defence, fast end runs, and varied uses of the forward pass are the other important factors in her offensive machine.

The University's system of offence is planned to split the opponent's primary defence an occasional forward pass are the other flank attack tending to keep the opponent's wing men and supporting lines from lending aid to the point assailed. Although a slower method of scoring it is less hazardous in that it does not involve so great a liability of fumbling.

Analysis of Power.

An analysis of the power of either team in the form of a man to man comparison of the players indicates that the strength of one eleven approaches that of the other to a remarkable degree. Of the ends Brann and Hardwick excel in the blocking of the second and third lines of defence, although Stillman, Higginbotham, and Coolidge have shown ability in keeping their opponents out of the play. Coolidge and Hardwick possess the greatest ability in getting down the field quickly under punts and tackling their man, both Stillman and Brann frequently missing the runner through insecure tackling or from being put out of the play by an opponent. Brann has been the most successful at receiving forward passes, while Hardwick uses the knowledge derived from his backfield experience in gaining the greatest amount of ground on end around plays. On the close formations all of the men have shown themselves capable of taking care of the greater part of the plays sent into their territory. Higginbotham and Hardwick excelling in this because of their harder and surer tackling.

In charging and blocking, tackles Talbott and Hetts of Yale, and Trumbull and Parson of the University are a competitively even ability. Talbott has had the most experience. Betts is the most aggressive, Parson the fastest, and Trumbull diagnoses the opponent's play with the greatest wisdom. On the defence the Yale tackles have a tendency to play too high and the assault of the opposing line has frequently forced them back with the result that the runner has made a substantial gain through the line. The men all tackle hard, and seldom miss getting to the basis of the play.

Pennock Best Guard.

Pennock is superior in every way to Conway and Walden of Yale, and Weston, the University guard. Experienced, powerful and aggressive, he has few equals at the guard position. The Yale guards, like the tackles have a tendency to play too high, otherwise they are far above the ordinary in ability. Weston is good, but there is a limit to his possibilities.

Wallace, the University centre is a much better defensive man than White, the man who fills in at the pivot position on the Yale team, but in all other phases of the game the two men are nearly of like ability. White, however, passes the ball end over end a method which requires unlimited practice in order to properly judge the angle at which the back will receive the ball, while Wallace uses the safer and more certain spiral pass.

Wilson and Logan are perfect exponents of two distinctly different types of quarterbacks. Logan, handles the ball securely, manages the team with excellent judgment passes well and is a sure tackler; but owing to his stature, he is not fit for the more rugged work of the game. Wilson, a good field general, who handles the team well and passes beautifully is capable, moreover, of plunging through the line on sudden shifts and playing a strong game on the secondary defence.

Bradlee, because of his greater weight, is superior to Ainsworth in line smashing and in forming interference, but the latter has exceptional speed and frequently slips through unexpected places in the line for gains of considerable length. Bradlee's work as a secondary defensive man is doubtless marked to a greater degree than that of any man on either team; he is practically impregnable.

Francke and Knowles will do the greater part of the line-plunging for each team. Knowles is the more experienced, and in addition has a remarkable faculty for sending off long passes; but Francke, although somewhat crude in his work, has tremendous power, and is the better defensive player of the two.

Mahan and LeGore are probably the most brilliant players on their respective teams. LeGore, the "find" of the Yale season, passes exceptionally well, has demonstrated his ability to dodge opposing tacklers in a remarkable fashion, is extremely fast, and punts commendably. Mahan uses a change of pace, which is very deceptive to the tackler, has had a great deal of useful experience, and also passes exceptionally well. He is undoubtedly superior to LeGore in drop-kicking ability.

Analysis shows that in each team the line is inferior to the backfield. Consequently as much will depend on the unknown ability of the forward defences to withstand the attacks of the truly brilliant backfields, as will depend on the known strength of these backfields. Perhaps slightly the superior in the line, and of equal power in the backfield, the University team will rely for supremacy to a great extent on the drop-kicking ability of Mahan