Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 284, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1914 — PLEASING THE FOOTBALL FAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PLEASING THE FOOTBALL FAN

Believed Spectators Would Prefer to Witness Games Won by “Breaks" Than Tiresome Line Plunging, y

The question is bound to arise: Do the football fans want to see the big games won by “breaks” or do they prefer to see the tiresome old lineplunging and kicking game, where the unexpected rarely happens? The writer believes they will select the

“breaks” for genuine entertainment, and that goes even when their favorite eleven is licked. Four or five years ago, when the big games invariably resulted in tie scores, there seldom was an opportunity to become excited. First came an end run, then a smash at the line, then a kick. That went on indefinitely, Sometimes a punt would be fumbled and a touchdown or, more likely, a field goal, would be the result. But there was no genuine thrill about a palpable error of commission. Then came the open game, as tt Uk

called. The coaches looked with disfavor upon it because it afforded so many chances for “breaks.” But the West took it up and several big Eastern elevens followed suit. Now they all play the new football to some extent as a matter ©f self-defense. If Harvard, for example, keeps her men scattered all over the field. Yale has to do some scattering, too. It would never do to depend solely upon artillery and cruisers to fight an enemy which employed Zeppelins and submarines.

The forward pass is dangerous. Avery proved that to the Navy. But, on the ojher hand, the Navy would not have advanced within striking distance of the Red and Blue goal line had it not been for that same passing play. Wise coaches have shoved the old “all defense and no attack” game into the discard. The public has demanded the “breaks,” and they are going to get them. And the tutor who sits down and figures out how to make the majority of the unexpected plays work to the advantage of his eleven Is the one who is going to win the big games. “The breaks of the game” almost always are what you make them. Let’s give that overworked word, “luck,” a long and deserved rest.

Catlett, One of Michigan's Fastest Players.