The Nebraskan. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1892-1899, December 20, 1894, Page 18, Image 18
18 TttB NBBRASKAN THE PENNANT WINNERS. ,gSKSJP6PS till H Njff'lnM ill ,t8a J 7. ( jjer-r ' r3$atl&anK I IK fnnt hnll snnsnn lin? rntnn v.uul gone with its ups and ''downs," and Nebraska has, for the first time in her history, the satisfaction of holding thcv pennant. This achievnient has been attained through difficulties hard to be understood, except by a few who arc closely in touch with the team and its trials, lhc season opened with the cap tain in Europe, and with few of the old uplaycrs bade, and those who were here could get no benefit from their practice, because it was without system, not even a code of sig nals having yet been devised. Added to this was the utter indifference of the school toward athletics, fos tered at that time by those high in authority. Things went from bad to worse until the management realizing that something must be done, and that quickly, se cured the services of Frank Crawford, of Omaha, who took charge, not of the team, because there was none, but of such of the men as had persevered in coming out to practice, just one week before the first scheduled game. From that time affairs began to brighten or der was brought out of chaos. Several of the old men came back just in the nick of time, and in one week a fairly good team was put in the field, strong enough, at least, to give Grinnell the worst drubbing she ever had. The next act of the tragedy was the defeat given us by Doane, which again threw a damper over our ris ing hopes, as such defeats always do. It was at this stage of the game that the parents of several of the best players forbade their playing, and for one week no practice of any consequence was obtained, not un til the before mentioned players, with the aid of those interested, could change the verdict of the parents. Another trouble here arose, No one had yet been found who could play quarter back at all satisfactorily, and the Missouri game was coming on just seven days after the Doane defeat. The result was that we faced Missouri with our team very much broken up, and were again defeated, though the score was close and the team played in hard luck. The deleat of this game was a blessing in disguise, for the team began to practice now in dead earnest, making end runs the feature of 1th playing. The effect was marvelous, and in the two week intervening before the Kansas game a different team had been developed in both offensive and defensive playing. The result was as surprising to some as it was pleasing to others. Kansas would never have scored but for a fluke. Fol lowing this on Monday was the defeat of the strong, never defeatetl Baker team. This filled to overflowing our cup of joy to say nothing of that of the whole uni versity. The tide had turned and that for all time. The boys little dreamed of what was in store for them when they should get home. Neither prince or poten tate ever received a more enthusiastic welcome than was given them. Support was no longer lacking and prosperity had at length crowned the efforts of the faithful few. In the Omaha game Nebraska was successful beyond their wildest dreams. The story is too familiar to be repented here of how the Scarlet and Cream floated triumphant from Lincoln to Omaha, and how we came back wildly joyful in the fact that the pennant for which we have boon struggling these years was at length ours. For the benefit of those who have followed the team through its doubtful vicissitudes of this scaon, the fol lowing sketch of each player and his characteristics is appended: Captain Dern, height 5 feet n inches, weight 175, age twenty-two, has filled his place this year as one of the best tackles in the west. His captaincy has not hurt him in the least, and he has given the signals this year in a sensible and cool-headed manner, lie plays a hard game in the line and tackles hard. Carrying the ball from his position at tackle is one of his best points. He leaves his place with remarkable speed and follows his blocking closely Me is often put clear around the end foa touchdown. Me has captained the team with entire satisfaction to every one, both players and sympathizers. Me will prob ably be missed more than any other man next year Mammang, height 5 feet 10 inches, weight 185, age twenty-four, is a new man this year. Me filled the po sition of center with entire satisfaction. Me plays low and is almost immovable. Me passes the ball to quar ter in a sure and speedy manner. Me breaks through the line in good shape and is more than a match for any center in the league. Next year he will probably play tackle and will undoubtedly fill the position in a remarkable manner. ' Yout, height 5 feet 1 1, weight 160, age 22, comes from Brock, and is one of the pioneers of foot ball in the University. Me played right-half this year to the entire satisfaction of everybody concerned. Mis first intro duction to the game was on the end playing on the Varsity in '92 where he learned to tackle so well. But the last two seasons he has played behind the line. Mis end runs were phenomenal. 1 Ie rarely failed to pass one or two men by his clever dodging and no apponent has ever been able to bring him down when once he had passed them. Me leaves this year for Harvard. Mis place will be hard to fill both on the team and in school, for there is not a man in the University who is more popular than Vont. Fair, height 6 feet, weight 185, age 21, is a new man in the school, but not in the arts of the game, having played half-back two years in a small school in Atchi son, Kansas. Me was put in as full-back, and although without experience, he filled the position with great credit to himself. 1 Ie is a sure punter and rarely fails to send the ball down the field from thirty to fifty yards. Me is one of the best ground gainers on the team and the captain often entrusted the ball to him for the final gain. Mis strongest point is his blocking which he does in a skillful and heady manner. lie will probably be back next year. Whipple, height 6 feet 3 inches, weight 1S5, age 19, is from Omaha where he had his first experience in. the game, playing tackle in the high school team which won the high school championship of the state in '93. 1 Ie played right tackle on the varsity last year and won an enviable reputation, meeting no one who could match him. Me was unfortunate this year, receiving a erious injury which prevented him playing until the Missouri game, lie played end the remainder of the season and no gain was made around him. Mis strongest points were his tackling and the marvelous manner of getting into the interference. Me is a strong all round player and will add much strength to the team next year. Frank, age nineteen, weight 160, height 5 feet 9 inches; comes from the Omaha High school. He would make one of the best all around players in the University if he would train. He bucks the line and punts very well. He was put on as substitute end, which, without doubt, he would fill very satisfactorily. '