In 1890, Wooster University’s foot ball team had a spectacular season, including a still-remembered game with O.S.U.
Wooster Fighting Scots
The College of Wooster Fighting Scots Football, 1890
College of Wooster Hall of Fame (sort by “graduation date” to see in chronological order.)
College of Wooster Teams—1890 Football, Marcus Limb, HB
Marcus Limb & Base Ball
University of Wooster
NOTE: Charles W. Follis: The Black Cyclone from Wooster. Charles Follis played football while at Wooster High School and at Wooster College after the re-instatment of inter-collegiate games in 1901.
The Wooster Voice was the college weekly newsletter, providing blow-by-blow game coverage. Wooster newspapers also provided some coverage of the games.
1889-’90. Marcus Limb is standing in the back row, third from the left, looking off-camera.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 2.
20 September, 1890
pg. 25
On Their Muscle.
The Athletes Prepare For a Vigorous Campaign.
A rousing meeting of the Athletic Association was held at the University, last Saturday morning, at which the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
Pres. Hamil Shields, ’92; Vice Pres. R.H. Moore, ‘i3; Sec. Myron Jones, ’93; Treas. G.G. Burns, ’93.
Foot Ball Directors, A. Fullerton, ’91, C.C. Long, ’91 and A.G. McGaw, ’91.
Base Ball Directors, A. Fullerton and A.S. Ross, ’91 and M.R. Limb.
C.S. Brilles, ’92, was elected Reporter, and S.W. Eagleson, ’91, elected to fill the vacancy in the Board of Control of the VOICE, caused by Gaston going to Princeton.
The Association is reported to be in better trim than ever before. The officers are not only athletic, but rustlers as well, and will see to it that the business part of the Association work is attended to, and that the teams receive all the financial support they need and all that it is possible for them to expect. That we must have a good foot ball team in the field again this fall, is a universal conviction. We had one last year. If anybody doubts it let him write to Denison for information conclusive.
There is plenty of good material in school for a No. 1 team—one that will not only be able to defend Wooster’s colors, where they now stand, but will also be able to advance them still further, over new fields and to new victories. We have the material—all that is now needed is practice, practice, PRACTICE. This the directors propose to encourage, insist upon and reward. They solicit applications for positions on the team, which are to be filled only on the merits of the men.
There are eleven places to be filled on the foot ball team this fall—just eleven—places of honor, every one of them, and they are open to the men who are best prepared.
There is more real live interest in foot ball here in Wooster than in any other college in Ohio. Already correspondence has been begun with a view to arranging a series of foot ball games with other colleges, and Wooster’s team will be the central figure from the very beginning of the season. It means something to be on the good ball team this year. It means a great deal. It means a regular old-fashioned plum pudding for the lover of athletics; and the long-winded, stout-legged, well-practiced players are going to get the plums.
Those who have any aspiration in this line will be doing the most sensible act of the term to wend their daily way to the Gym and do diligent service with the apparatus they can find there. It is the gym-developed muscle that helps carry the egg-shaped sphere over contested ground.
Let every student, new or old, athlete or not athlete, who is not already a member of the Athletic Association, become such immediately, and thereby encourage and give impetus to the whole athletic movement. Members of the Faculty, ditto.
If this is to be the best year the University has ever seen it is a logical, not to say symmetrical, necessity that it be the best year for athletics in the history of the institution, as well. We are sure it will be. And we also expect to be able to report some great foot ball games, and some great victories for our team, before the term has passed the half-way mark.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 5.
11 October, 1890
Front page
Editorial
Now that the eleven have been chosen let every student do all in his power to help the team to victory. They need constant practice and the only way they can get it is for you to go to the campus and play against them. Do not quit practice because you did not get a position on the team. It is an indication you need more practice. You may be there yet before the season is over.
Again, let every student and member of the faculty turn out to the games and cheer for Wooster and “the boys.”
pg 73
Foot Ball.
The foot ball team, which was posted yesterday, is composed of the following:
Campbell, Centre; Phillips, Rt. Guard; Ross or Chalfant, Left Guard; Tyndall, Rt. Tackle; Bogle Left Tackle; McGaw, Rt. End; Long, Left End; Limb and Work, half; Moore, Quarter; Chalfant or Ross, Full.
The team as above is subject to changes and some may be made both in position and make up. It is hoped that others who are not among the above will not suspend practice, as the strength of the team will be materially increased by strong opposition in practice.
At the meeting of delegates at Kenyon, last Saturday all the Colleges in the League were represented except Buchtel, who will not put in a team. Dennison was represented by K.R. Ringle, O.S.U. by E.D. Martin, Kenyon by R.B. Hubbard, and Wooster by A. Fullerton. The following schedule was agreed upon:
Dennison at Wooster Oct. 25th.
Dennison at Kenyon Dec. 6th.
O.S.U. at Wooster Dec. 6th
O.S.U. at Dennison Nov. 15th.
Wooster at O.S.U. Uov. 1st.
Wooster at Kenyon Nov. 15th.
Kenyon at Dennison Nov. 1st.
Kenyon at O.S.U. Dov. 27th.
It will be noticed that Wooster and O.S.U. play an extra game, and also Kenyon and Dennison. This was necessary to give each team an equal number of games at home and abroad.
Correspondence is being carried on with the Wash Jeff and Dayton teams. A game with the former depends on their faculty’s decision, but it is thought there will be no trouble in securing consent. The Dayton team is composed of College graduates and will probably be here Nov. 8th.
pg. 78
Locals.
The exhibition game of foot ball played before the Akron vs. D’Nice base ball game last Saturday showed that Wooster has material for a splendid college eleven this year. Neither side scored in the first half. In the second half the first eleven secured two touch downs but no goals. The playing of both teams was strong. The features of the game was Alexander’s tackling and a long run by Tyndall.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 36
18 October, 1890
pg. 90
Foot Ball.
The team is now in regular practice and is showing up well. The rush line is strong and the backs bid fair to equal those of the last year.
An effort will be made to have the game scheduled with Dennison for next Saturday postponed until Nov. 8th. Blaine is to be at Canton next Saturday and it is feared that we could not have a good crowd here for that reason, as a large number of Wooster citizens would undoubtedly prefer hearing Blaine to seeing a foot ball game.
Princeton has a very strong team this year. They played a tie, 0 to 0, with the Orange Athletic Club team at Tuxide Park last Saturday for the $100 silver cup.
Yale men are not at all satisfied with their team, as it is far behind last year’s team in strength. They defeated Lehigh 26 to 0 last Saturday but although winners the supporters of the blue do not consider it a creditable showing.
Amherst scored 6 points in the first minute of the game last Saturday but couldn’t make any more while Harvard piled up 74.
Other games last Saturday were, Tufts 8, Exeter 0. Brown 8, M.I.T. 8. Dartmouth 71, University of Vermont 0. Williams 46, Albany 0, Cornell 98, University of Rochester 0.
The Dayton “University” team defeated the Delaware team 34 to 6 last Saturday. It is hoped that by next Saturday definite arrangements will be announced for Wooster’s game with Dayton.
pg 93
Locals.
Dennison comes to lay us out next Saturday, and there’s going to be some fun over it. If you want to see the fun hie yourself to the fair ground shortly after dinner.
Don’t forget the yell: “‘Rah! ‘rah! ‘rah! ‘rah! ‘rah! ‘rah! ‘rah! ‘rah! ‘rah! Woo—ster!” It will do more to ‘rah-tle the Dennison fellows than any thing else we can think of.
The first of the league foot ball games will be played on the association grounds next Saturday afternoon. Every student ought to be there, both to be seen and heard.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 7
25 October, 1890
pg. 107
Locals.
The Foot Ball team will play their first Inter-Collegiate game this year with O.S.U. at Columbus, November 1st. The practice of the past week proves that Wooster has a stronger team than she had a year ago.
pg. 108
Locals.
The Foot Ball team will play their first Inter-Collegiate game this year with O.S.U. at Columbus, November 1st. The practice of the past week proves that Wooster has a stronger team than she had a year ago.
Wooster Daily Republican
Wooster, OH
Friday, 31 October, 1890
pg 3
Here and There.
Today’s Doings in This City
Personal Notes and Brief Mention of Passing Events.
The University foot ball team left at noon today for Columbus. The team is in fine form and the boys are determined to return with a victory. The team is made up as follows. McGaw, R. End; Tyndall, R. Tackle; Phillips, R. Guard; Campbell, Centre Rush and Captain; Bagle, L. Guard; Chalfant, L. Tackle; Long, L. End; Alexander, Quarter Back; Limb, M. Half Back; Yoder, R. Half Back; Ross, Full Back.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 8.
1 November, 1890
pg. front page
The Athletic Association was in need of money to send the ball team to Columbus, and the happy expedient of selling foot ball tickets for the home games was hit upon. A canvass of the students and Faculty, not only replenished the wasted exchequer box, but also revealed the fact that the team has the sympathy and will receive the financial support which it needs to make a playing, winning team. The tickets are already sold and paid for, so we have reason financial and infallible to expect a good attendance at the home game, both by professors and students.
Today’s game, the initial one of the season, will do the team the greatest kind of good. A contest with as rival eleven will bring out weaknesses in our own team work which can be detected in no other way. The boys though in good trim now and able to play first class ball, will be able to play a far better game next Saturday because of todays experience. We may look forward to Oct. 8th, with great expectations and without fears of disappointment.
pg. 123
Locals.
Owing to the game here with Denison next Saturday, the Voice will not go to press until the following Monday.
The result of the game today will be telegraphed the Voice and will be bulletined at the News Depot immediately on its receipt.
The game with Wash-Jeff is now an assured fact. Adelbert and Delaware both want games but the dates are so limited that we can hardly accommodate them.
Foot ball games last Saturday resulted as follows: College of City of N.Y., 0, N.Y. University, 16; Princeton, 50, Lehigh, 0; Harvard, 54, Bowdoin, 0; Williams, 28, Trinity, 0; Yale, 10, Amherst, 0; Dickinson, 8, Swarthmore, 0; Union, 6, Hamilton, 0; Dayton University, 50, O.S.U., 0. On Wednesday of this week Amherst and Trinity played a tie, 0 to 0 at Hartford, Conn., and Harvard defeated Wesleyon 51 to 0 at Boston.
The result of the game with O.S.U. to-day will be awaited with interest, it will be an indication of the merits of what are believed to be the strongest team in the League. If we defeat them no trouble need be anticipated from the other League teams, although Kenyon is an unknown factor, her inexperience in foot ball and small number of students are greatly against her, while Denison men say that their team is not nearly so strong as last year.
Wooster Daily Republican
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 3 November, 1890
pg 3
Here And There.
Today’s Doings In This City.
Personal Notes and Brief Mention of Passing Events.
The Denison College foot ball team will play the University eleven on the Fair Grounds next Saturday.
Hurrah For Wooster.
Columbus Nowhere in the Game of Foot Ball.
The game of foot ball between Wooster University and Ohio State University, at Columbus, on Saturday, resulted in a victory for Wooster. The press dispatches yesterday said:
The game would have been almost unbearably dull had it not been for the brilliant work of some of the Wooster eleven. The O.S.U. team was not in any way a match for the visitors, and during the hour and a half of playing they succeeded in getting the ball into Wooster territory only twice, and in the game did not score a point. The visiting eleven were larger, stronger and much more skillful than the O.S.U. boys who were young, and several did not know the points of the game.
The features of the game were the half-back play of Yoder and Limb, the punting of Ross, the all-around play of Chalfant and the strong running of Tyndall, all of whom belong to the Wooster eleven. Tyndall is an Indian, the son of a wealthy Omaha, and spent three years at the Indian school at Carlisle, Pa. At the University today he accomplished the feat of lifting 873 pounds. In the last rush Kennedy, of the O.S.U., was knocked insensible. The score was 64 to 0, in favor of Wooster.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 9.
10 November, 1890
pg. front page
The foot ball has been started rolling. It rolls well and when punted, sails high. The game with O.S.U., November 1st, was a good one and the result proved that our team is not in the field to be walked over—“To lie as a pavement for the abject rear, o’rerun and trampled on.” Brilliant individual plays marked the progress of the game, and the team playing was exceptionally uniform and strong from beginning to end. Our team is stronger than any Wooster has ever had in the field, and is sure to bring home the foot ball honors to Wooster where they belong.
pg. 138
58-0.
Denison Fails To Score
They Didn’t Play Full Time, and Yet—What A Score!
The first foot ball game of the season, on the home grounds, was played last Saturday afternoon at the Fair Grounds. The Field was soaked with rain, and a slight drizzle was falling during the second half of the match. For some vague reason, presumably because the grounds were somewhat muddy, Denison’s Captain insisted that only half hours should be played instead of full three-quarter hours. Finally a compromise was made, and it was settled that each half of the game should continue 37-w/s minutes, a fact which makes Wooster’s score look larger than ever. About 300 people were on the grounds, of whom were from Denison.
Granville lost the toss and took the ball, while Wooster promptly occupied the upper goal a slight rise in the ground making this a small advantage. Game was called at 2:58, and the teams were seen to line up as follows:
Denison. — Positions. — Wooster.
Collette. — Right End. — McGaw.
Gutchess. — Right Tackle. — Tyndall.
Brumback. — Right Guard. — Phillips.
Dixon—Centre. — (Capt.) — Campbell
Miller. — Left Guard. — Bogle.
Osbun. — Left Tackle. — Chalfant.
Ringle (Capt.) — Left End. — Long.
Stevens. — Quarter Back. — Alexander.
Mardis. — Right Half Back. — Yoder.
Barker. — Left Half Back. — Limb.
Thresher. — Full Back. — Ross.
Referee—Speer. Umpire—Bosler.
A rush and the game opened. Denison gained 10 yeards, but Wooster got the ball, Ross made a point, Mardis got the ball but was downed by Long, when Denison made 15 years on the next run; Mardis took a plunge and gained 2 more. Wooster’s rush line made the first demonstration of its strength by a strong rush, and Long made 5 yards, when Yoder made a fine run, but the umpire declared a foul tackle and Denison got the ball. On two downs Denison did not gain a yard, and a foul tackle gave Wooster the ball. A run by Limb took it to the 25 yard line, but here a bad throw was made to half back and Ross punted—only gained 5 yards, but another 5 yards was made on a fumble by Denison. Then came a series of short runs, a minute of fine work by Denison and the ball had reached the centre of the field; a kick by Ross took it to Denison’s goal, but a strong rush brought it out to the 25 yard line, when a catch and punt by Ross put it behind Denison’s goal posts, and a brilliant run by Long secured the first touch down. No goal. Score, 4 to 0. Time nine minutes. The ball came out to the 25 yard line. Ringle punted, Denison made a foul, and Wooster took the ball, but a bad throw to Half and Mardis gained 10 yards. Then came a run by Ringle across the field and a down “in touch.” A few scrimmages, and Ross’ punt put the ball at Thresher’s feet, who missed his kick and made a safety. Score 6 to 0. Time 19 minutes. This ended the period of brilliant work on the part of Denison. From thence on, they were “not in it.” In five minutes more a run by Tyndall, a plunge by Ross, and a 30 yard run by Limb gave Wooster another tough down. On the next scrimmage, Chalfant went through the struggling mass like a catapult, and Limb made another touch down, but Bosler declared a foul and in another moment Thresher was obliged to again make a safety, and followed it up in 3 minutes by a third, when the ball was again put in play. Wooster by fumbling lost 40 yards, but Ross punted, Long made a brilliant run and downed the ball between the goal posts. Again Ross took a header into the rush line and made 10 yards, Chalfant glided like an eel to within a yard of goal, when, by main strength, Limb was forced over and Wooster had another 4 points, to which Limb’s kick of goal added 2 more. The ball was gravitating in the same familiar direction again when time was called, and the first half was over with the score 24-0.
Second Half
When the 10 minutes rest was over, and the teams again lined up, some changes had been made in Denison’s line of battle. Thresher now played as left end, Barker as full back (cont. pg I39) and Ringle as half back. This time Denison had the advantage of the slope in the ground, taking the upper goal. Wooster opened in good style; Yoder tucked the ball snugly under his arm and made a long run advancing the side 20 yards. But in 4 downs Wooster lost ground and the ball went to Denison. A gallant dive by McGaw forced Ringle back, and after 3 minutes of sharp playing, the ball was once more in the enemy’s territory. Fine dodging, good guarding, and fast running, took Limb within a yard of goal, and Yoder made the touch-down between the posts. Time 4 minutes. Score 4 to 0. When Denison punted out the ball from the 25 yard line, a Woosterite gathered it in from the ether and made 2 yards. Gutches made a plucky dash but still Wooster gained. Denison’s had a man of steady nerve for full back in this half, and his punt gained the side 25 yards, which was recovered by a long run by Yoder. A series of downs followed which gained nothing for either side, followed by a clever ruse by Tyndall which advanced the sphere 10 yards. A run by Limb succeeded, Denison finally downing him within 3 yards of their goal line. When Yoder made the touch-down, Bosler declared a Wooster man off side and Limb did it once again. It had taken just 11 minus to make the 8 points. Ringle led off by a long, low punt which was downed by McGaw. In the resulting scrimmage, Stevens, the Denison quarter back, had his nose broken, and left the field; 5 minutes time was allowed, and Ringle re-arranged his team, putting Osbun in as quarter back, and Collette into the rush line as left tackle. When time was called Alexander threw the ball to Limb, who deftly eluded the Denison rushers, and threw to Yoder, who advanced the side 15 yards. A run by Limb brought Wooster over Denison’s 25 yard line. Tyndall threw his giant form into the mass, but someone made an off-side play and Denison took the ball. A run followed by Ringle, but McGaw was there and Denison lost ground, and finally forfeited the ball on failing to advance it in 4 downs. Chalfant plunged headlong into a struggling scrimmage and when he emerged the ball was close to goal line. Yoder ran clear across the field, but gained nothing. Denison got the ball but McGaw was there again with his terrible tackle and the ball was again close in the shadow of the goal posts. Ross hurled himself through the line and made a touch-down from which goal was kicked. Score 14 to 0. Time 25 minutes. Denison brought out the ball, but Ringle lost the sphere by a foul. Yoder made 15 yards, and Ross punted. Barker caught well but McGaw, as usual, was on hand and downed the Denison full back within 5 yards of his goal. Ross plunged through again and scored 4 points and Limb kicked goal. Score 20 to 0. When play began again at the centre of the rectangle, Alexander distinguished himself by reaching Ringle before the ball thrown from Osbun, and Denison lost ground accordingly. A tackle by Long gained another rod. In 2 downs Denison lost ground when the ball was thrown to Barker who punted. But McGaw had again broken through the rush-line. He caught the ball just as it was kicked and ran into goal. Score 24-0, and 8 minutes yet to play. Denison led off with a long kick but a kick by Ross, a brilliant dash by Limb, and a strong rush took the ball close to goal, and Chalfant and Ross took successive headers which gave Wooster another touch-down. Still 4-1/2 minutes remained. Denison punted but the ball rebounded from Long’s shoulders. Chalfant threw himself into the lines and wriggled onward, eel-like, gaining the 25 yard line. Yoder, by one of the finest runs of the game made 20 yards and Limb brought the ball to within a foot of goal. Ross by clever dodging placed it on the ground between the posts, Limb kicked goal and the score was 34 to 0, making a total in the two halves of 58 points. Denison kicked from the centre of the field, and advanced to the 25 yard line, the closest yet to Wooster’s goal. Barker ran but lost ground and the game was ended. A happy crowd of fellows hied themselves up town while the air was rent by Wooster yells.
Punts.
Steven’s accident was not serious.
Green was there with his patched face eager to be on the field.
For only two minutes was the ball in Wooster’s territory during the last half.
McGaw’s catch of Barker’s punt was the most brilliant play of the game.
Wooster would have had 14 more points had she kicked a goal from every touch down. The same weakness was apparent at Columbus. The moral is too pointed to require pointing out.
The features of the game were Limb’s running, McGaw’s Tackling, and the terrible plunges of Ross and Chalfant. Wooster played an aggressive game. The guarding was especially good.
Messrs. Cunningham of the Denison Collegian, and Spencer of the Granville Times were on the ground, pencil in hand.
Bosler, the Umpire, plays with the Dayton Athletic club. They have beaten O.S.U. 50 to 0, and Delaware 34 to 6, and play at Detroit on Thanksgiving. Negotiations are pending for a date with Wooster.
Following is a summary of the points: Touch down by Long, 4; Safety by Tresher, 2; Tough down by Limb, 4; Two safeties by Thresher, 4; Touch down by Long, 4; Touch down by Limb, 4; Touch down by Ross and goal by Limb, 6; Touch down by Ross and goal by Limb, 6; Touch down by McGaw, 4; Touch down by Ross, 4; Touch down by Ross and goal by Limb, 6; Total, 58.
pg 140
64 To 0.
Wooster Plays A Great Game — Columbus Was Not In It.
The game between O.S.U. and Wooster, Nov. 1st, was played at Recreation Park, in the presence of about 500 people. The day was all that could have been desired. O.S.U. people were confident and noisy going to the grounds. Wooster was quiet but determined. Wooster won the toss and chose the west goal. O.S.U. took the ball and the teams lined up as follows:
O.S.U. — Positions. — Wooster.
Huggins. — Right End. — McGaw.
Richardson. — Right Tackle. — Tyndall.
Whitace. — Right Guard. — Phillips.
Lincoln. — Centre. — Campbell.
Hine. — Left Guard. — Bogle.
Brownson. — Left Tackle. — Chalfant.
Kennedy. — Left End. — Long.
Foulke. — Quarter Back. — Alexander.
Shaffer. — Right Half Back. — Limb.
Lendacre. — Left Half Back. — Yoder.
Raine. — Full Back. — Ross.
O.S.U. started with the “V” and rushed for 15 yards. The ball was passed to Raine for a kick which Ross returned to O.S.U. 15 yard line. Again the ball was passed to Raine but he fumbled it and before the team or the crowd realized what was going on Alexander had made a touch down in touch in goal. Ross punted to Chalfant for a fair catch but Campbell failed to kick a goal. The ball was brought to the 25 year line and punted by Raine; Ross returned it to the 15 year line and Wooster secured the ball. It was passed to Yoder for a run. He dropped the ball just as he crossed the goal line and it was kicked into the bleaching boards where Chalfant touched it down.
The game was played in O.S.U. territory. At no stage of the game did they have the slightest chance of making a touch down.
They only succeeded in carrying the ball into Wooster’s field three times. When Wooster got the ball they kept possession of it until they had it across the line. When time was called the score stood 32 to 0 in Wooster’s favor with the ball within 5 yards of O.S.U.’s goal.
Wooster started the 2d half by forming the “V” and rushing 20 yards. The ball was passed to Limb and he secured a touch down. Time, one minute.
The features of the game was the team work of Wooster and running and guarding of Limb, Yoder and Alexander, the punting of Ross and the tackling of McGaw and Tyndall.
Near the end of the game Kennedy got hurt and had to be carried off the field.
Columbus showed lack of training from the start, while Wooster never was in better condition. When time was called the score stood, Wooster 64, O.S.U. 0.
Notes On The Trip
McGaw taken for McKinley at Apple Creek.
A goodly number of ladies witnessed the game.
Passengers on the C., A. & C. were entertained by the team singing college songs.
O.S.U. seems to be stuck on the “Dorm.” The boys who put up there were kept awake all night by the noise of the Hallow’eeners.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 10.
17 November, 1890
pg. 156
Our friends of the O.S.U. Lantern acknowledged a fair and square defeat at the hands of our foot ball eleven. The Lantern begins very gracefully and graciously concedes that their men were out-played at every point in the game. So far, so good. But the Lantern cannot content itself to close the article on the foot ball game without going off in a fit accusation and heaping “Big talk” on and deliberately misrepresenting our Right Tackle. We are under obligations for the kindly advice to sustain the reputation of our team by discarding some of our players, but we don’t feel inclined to do it that way.
We beg to inform our friends of the Lantern that the “Wild Red Man,” as they are pleased to dub our stalwart Right Tackle, is at least sufficiently Americanized to be informed on the rules of the game of foot ball, and that he repeatedly requested his opponent in the O.S.U. team to observe the same. It was only after the point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue had been passed that Mr. Tyndall showed his determination to defend his own. Our team is a unit in affirming that Mr. Tyndall’s opponent persisted in unfair blocking throughout the O.S.U. game, and that Mr. T.’s defense was more than justifiable long before it came.
Has not Columbus learned that there is such a thing as ruling a man out of the game of foot ball for unfair or unnecessarily rough playing? All that is needed is for the man to be guilty and the dropping out process is easy and simple enough. The trouble is that in this case the thing necessary, evidence, was a minus quantity.
In another column the Lantern narrates a conversation in which Mr. Jack-somebody asked Mr. Campbell when Wooster proposed to play off the tie base ball game left over from last spring saying that O.S.U. would be glad to meet Wooster on the Columbus grounds next week, to which Mr. Campbell replied, very sensibly, that the base ball season was far past and we would not play. “There could be nothing more fair than the proposition of our ball club. Wooster, play ball or acknowledge that you are afraid of being defeated.”
Columbus, come off your perch. Who’s going to keep up bonfires at which the players can warm their stiffened fingers and thaw the ice off the water bucket? Who’s going to pay kids to brush the frost off the catcher’s mask and dig balls out of the snowdrifts, all for the novelty of seeing a game of base ball in mid-winter? We would suggest, for a little recreation for the weather-beaten athletes of O.S.U., that some of these November days they hie themselves to the murmuring Scioto for an afternoon’s bath, that they take with them the official score for the College League games last year, and, as they sit on the frozen bank waiting to cool off from their brisk walk, make note of the following facts: Wooster’s batting, base running and fielding averages are above those of O.S.U., Wooster was the only team that won a game from Denison, and last, but not least, Wooster wanted to meet O.S.U. here last Commencement week and she would not, but chose to go elsewhere and find easier amusement.
If after considering these facts our O.S.U. friends find comfort in the “bluff” of wanting to play base ball with winter blasts whistling through their chinchillas they are welcome to it. When the season of year comes which it is common sense to schedule a base ball game, Wooster stands ready to receive O.S.U. with open arms.
pg. 163
30-0.
Wooster Beats Kenyon In A 43 Minute Game.
Saturday afternoon at Kenyon was, as usual on a day set for foot ball, rainy and disagreeable. It was evident from the first that Kenyon did not intend to play full time if they could possibly avoid it. The game was set for 3 o’clock and Wooster was on the grounds promptly, but there was not a sign of any one else about. Not a man of the Kenyon team appeared until half past three, and then they came one by one until nearly four, as if the whole matter had been pre-arranged. This was only one of many exasperating delays which served to keep down the score. What it probably would have been, can be easily found by considering that just 43 minutes, or less than one-half a full time, was played.
The teams lined up at ten minutes before four, as follows:
Kenyon. – Positions. – Wooster.
Scott. – Right End. – Andrews.
Kautz. – Right Tackle. – Tyndall.
Buttolph. – Right Guard. – Phillips.
Beeson. – Centre Rush. – Campbell.
Clinahus. – Left Guard. – Bogle.
Sheven. – Left Tackle. – Chalfant.
Stork. – Left End. – Long.
Walkley, W. – Right Half Back. – Work.
Hoglen. – Left Half Back. – McGaw.
Foley. – Quarter Back. – Alexander.
Walkley, C. – Full Back. – Ross.
Kenyon started with a punt by Walkley to Work, who lost it on a foul and Kenyon gained 5 yards. This was followed by a series of punts and successive downs by each team until finally the ball was up to Kenyon’s 25 yard line when a fumble of Ross’ punt by Walkley, C., let Long have a clear field and touch down. Goal kicked by Ross. The punt by Walkley, W. was downed by Work, and the ball was brought within 5 yards of the line by fine rushes of Ross, Chalfant and Tyndall when Work touched down by a 5-yard run. No goal. The punt from 25 yard line was downed by McGaw near centre of the field and in the next minute Work, by a magnificent run of over 49 yards, touched down. No goal. Foley’s punt was beautifully stopped by Tyndall and slight gains for Work followed. Ross’ long punt was stopped by Walkley, W. and he started for a long run with an almost clear field. In attempting to tackle him Chalfant was knocked insensible and time was called for 10 minutes. Julliard took Chalfant’s place and in a few plays Tyndall made a beautiful run of 15 yards with Kenyon men hanging all over him, Ross and McGaw pushed through the line 6 more, and Ross was then pushed over the line for a touch down. No goal. Time was called although 31 minutes only had been played. Score 18 to 0. Wooster started with a V and brought the ball to the 25 yard line, Work gained 3 more but K. got the ball on the next down. Walkley fumbled it and was forced to make a safety. The ground lost by Foley’s punt off was regained by a fine run of McGaw’s and Work came in with another 30 yard run and touch down. Goal. In the next play Hoglen made a good run across the field but did not gain much. Hoglen was hurt and Neff took his place. Walkley, C. lost 10 yards by his miss of Foley’s bad pass. Runs by McGaw, Ross and Work gained 15, and Tyndall made another fine run for 10 yards and a touch down. Goal by Ross. Kenyon attempted a V start but failed to gain. Darkness interfered with good play now and W. Walkley’s punt gained 30 yards and brought the ball to the 15 yard line. A bad pass lost Kenyon 5 yards but they downed the ball. A long punt by Walkley, C. was stopped by Ross, who attempted to return it. The ball struck Kuntz and rebounded over the line where Ross downed it. kenyon claimed a safety and two points which W. would not allow, claiming that Kuntz sent the ball over, and during the argument time was called after actual playing of 12 minutes. Score 30 to 0.
Notes.
Scoot!!
Multiply the score by two.
The team has nothing but praise for Kenyon, both as players and entertainers.
Kenyon testified to the strength of our team by getting enthusiastic over their claimed two points.
Kenyon not only proved themselves better delayers, but also superior players to Denison and O.S.U.
pg. 166
Locals.
The foot ball game arranged with Adelbert for Wednesday will be the most exciting game played here. Every student that possibly can should see the game and help our club out in the financial part of it. Don’t talk about “our foot ball team,” and then not go and see the game. Not a point has been scored against Wooster for two years, yet their financial support has been very poor. The team has gone security for much needed funds. They have helped advertise the games and marked out the grounds, besides regular and systematic practice. The game Wednesday, it is hoped, will be well enough attended to place the club on a fine financial footing.
Wooster Daily Republican
Wooster, Ohio
Thursday, 27 November, 1890
pg 3
Not In It.
The Professor and the Alleged Adelberts.
The ‘Varsity Boys Again Victorious by a Score of 50 to 0.
Promptly at 3 o’clock yesterday the foot ball teams of Adelbert and Wooster lined up for what was anticipated to be the struggle of the season. The positions were as follows:
Adelbert – Positions – Wooster
Phillips – Rt. End – McGaw
Hart – Rt. Tackle – Tyndall
Eisenhard – Rt. Guard – Phillips
Taylor – Center – Campbell
Stewart – Left Guard – Boyle
Bicknell – Left Tackle – Chalfant
Smith – Left End – Long
Hill – Quarter Back – Alexander
Stockwell – L. Half Back – Yoder
Wilson – Rt. Half Back – Limb
Kendall – Full Back – Ross
Wooster wins the toss and takes the western half of the field. Starting with a V she made 5 yards. Ross advances the ball by a long punt 20 yards, but loses to Adelbert, who passes to Kendall for 15 yards punt, losing to Ross. By passes to Yoder and Limb 15 yards are gained and Ross runs for a touchdown. Limb’s trial for goal was successful and in five minutes Wooster had 6 points.
Adelbert starts with a V for 25 yards, but Hill tumbles the ball and loses it to Limb. Punts by Ross carry the Woosterites to the 5-yard line, where Stewart downs it, and the visitors, by a few good plays, force the ball to the centre, but lose to Yoder, who, by a strong run, advances to the 25-yard line. Here Stewart—whom the boys call the Professor of music—and Taylor change places, which weakens the opponents’ team in that the ball was not passed to the quarter back in any shape to be handled. Kendall loses to Tyndall, who crawls two yards, bearing on his broad shoulders the entire Adelbert club. Yoder by a brilliant run carried the ball behind the goal, but Limb failed in the trial for goal. Time 20 minutes.
Adelbert started with a semblance of a V, but it failed to materialize; buy by a succession of short pushes and dodging the ball is kept in Wooster’s territory and carried it to within 10 yards of Wooster’s goal, but a punt by Ross redeems Wooster, but loses the ball to Adelbert. Here Wooster takes the ball on fourth down and a 30-yard run by Limb again places the ball behind the goal line and a goal kicked again starts the ball from the center. Time, 30 minutes.
The Clevelanders again start with a V but make only 5 yards, small plays and fumbles occupy this part of the game until Ross comes to the rescue with another long punt which gives Wooster 20 yards but loses ball to Adelbert and at this time the phenomenal dodging of Wilson began to be noticed, but still the strength of Wooster slowly but surely forced the opponents behind their goal, Limb making a touch down and goal.
The first half closed with all men in good trim, ready for the coming half and the score 22-0. The 15 minutes intermission was occupied by the kids in singing scales for the benefit of Prof. Stewart.
The second half began with Adelberts usual V and the dodging of Wilson and for 12 minutes the ball was kept in Wooster’s field but the “Ross Punt” landed her in the enemies field and the ball stays about the center until Kennedy punts to Alexander who runs from center for touch down. Goal by Limb. Time 15 minutes.
Adelbert is off with another V but loses to Wooster who in three minutes made, and by Limb’s run of 20 yds, another touch down. No goal. Time 18 minutes.
The visitors for once suppressed the desire for the phantom V and tried a punt but Ross returned it and by losses on the part of their own men they are forced to the 5 yd line from which Limb makes another touch down and is successful in his trial at goal. Time 25 minutes.
Again they resort to the fatal V and Tyndall by breaking through their line caught up both Wilson and the ball, heading for their goal, but somewhere on the road lost Wilson but held the ball. The touch down was made while Adelbert’s faculty and students were trying to make out what had taken away the ball.
Again Limb Kicked A Goal.
A V and punt again puts the enemies into our territory from which they were being speedily ejected when a somewhat polluted decision by the semi-decayed referee allowed them to get within 5 yards of our goal. Long here made the first tackle of the season. This was the nearest the promised land they got for the next play and they were being forcibly born towards their own goal. A succession of punts by Ross and runs by Yoder and Limb together with the fine tackling of Long carried the ball to a yard of their goal, a moment more and they were hurled back and Yoder had made another touch down and Limb a goal.
“Time up,” called the referee, and the score stood 50-0.
Features of the Game.
Kicking
The Professor of music
The dodging of Wilson
The fullback work of Ross
The runs of Alexander and Tyndall
The halfback work of Limb and Yoder
The tackles of Long and McGaw
The poor work of Kendall
The wretched work of Adelbert
The score
Numbers
“Moxie’s” counting
Indian blood.
Wooster Daily Republican
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 1 December, 1890
pg 2
Wooster Won.
Wooster University and Washington-Jefferson Foot Ball Teams Play at Pittsburg.
The ever victorious University foot ball team won another game on Saturday after the most hotly contested game in which they have yet participated. The game was played in Recreation Park, Pittsburg, with a team from Washington and Jefferson college. The teams were as follows.
W.and J. – Positions. – Wooster.
Myers – Right end – Long
Blaney – Right tackle – Chalfant
Johnson – Right guard – Riddle
Diehl – Center – Campbell
Tupper – Left guard – Phillips
Bruce – Left tackle – Tyndall
Hutchinson – Left end – McGaw
Lynch – Quarter – Alexander
Rehn – Right half – Work
Clark – Left half – Limb
Hine – Full back – Ross
The Fun Started.
Wooster started with the ball and gained 15 yards on the V trick. Limb gained 15 yards. On the ? down they lost the ball to Washington. Rehn, the right half back, gained eight yards. Blaney gained two yards more. On a kick by Washington, Wooster gained the ball and the referee, who apparently did not know his business, gave Wooster ten yards more by an error of judgment. Lynch, the W. & J. quarter back, by a clever steal gained 25 yards and Clark gained three yards more. Clark, on the ball being passed to him, gained ten yards more by rushing tactics, and the W. & J.’s left tackle gained five yards; but the bucking in the center was of no avail. Blaney tried to get around the end, but the referee decided against him and Ross, the full back. Wooster punted the ball a good 30 yards toward the other goal.
Clark again distinguished himself by a 15 yard gain, but Long downed him. Riddle, the left guard of Wooster, was injured and Boyle took his place. On Washington and Jefferson’s full back kick the ball was returned equally well by Wooster. Blaney gained eight yards, but was cleverly tackled by McGaw. A ? tackle by Wooster gave Washington and Jefferson 35 yards. Clark, the left half back, gained yards more. Blaney then lost two yards. Hine gained five yards, bringing Washington and Jefferson to the five-yard line. Wooster’s full back kicked thirty yards, and Clark fell on the ball and gained five yards. Clark gained eight yards more—Blaney lost two yards. Clark’s ear was torn and sticking-plaster was in order. On the fourth down the ball was given to Wooster. They lost seven yards, out on a good punt by the full back they gained twenty-five yards, which was nullified by a seven-yard gain by Lynch, who ran seven or eight yards.
At this point Blaney was forced over the line, but the referee did not allow it for some inexplicable cause. Ross, the Wooster full back, then punted thirty yards up the field. Clark, the W. and J. half, gained five yards, and immediately afterward gained five yards more. Long tackled Clark, who lost three yards. Riddle, of Wooster, was injured and Bogle took his place. Half time was then called.
Bruce, of W. and J., who was injured in the first half, was superseded by McKee. W. and J. gained ten yards on the V trick. Clark gained ten yards more, and Tupper was also a ten-yard gainer. Another rush gained W. and J. ten yards more. Hine was forced over the line and touched down—four points. Rehn missed the trick.
The kick off from the 25-yard line was, for the second consecutive time, sent into touch, but on the third trial was rushed down by Washington and Jefferson and first five yards and ten yards were gained by Tupper. Wooster’s full back was again prominent by his fine punting, but W. and J. gained as much by a foul tackle. At this point Wooster threatened to go off the field, but was restrained by Washington and Jefferson allowing a point. Blaney gained fifteen yards, and a rush gained five yards more. Wooster then showed grand play. Tyndall, the “Indian brave,” gained fifteen yards on rushing tactics. Chalfant gained twenty-five yards more right through the center, and Tyndall gained an additional five yards. Woosters’ play was magnificent, and the left half back gained ten yards. Clark, however, tackled magnificently. Fierce play followed and Wooster got near the goal and reached within five yards of it. at this moment the Washington and Jefferson umpire called “time.” His call was disputed, but the W. and J. team rushed off the field. Wooster’s referee argued that there were ten minutes to play and ordered the men to line up. Wooster lined, but W. and J. did not reply. Wooster put the ball in play and took the ball over the line, kicked a goal and claimed the game 6 to 4, amid a scene of indescribable excitement. Who wins? was the question of the moment. The referee gives it to Wooster 6 to 4, and the umpire to Washington and Jefferson by 4 to 0.
The above account of Saturday’s game is from the Pittsburg Dispatch and in regard to the plays made is a very satisfactory one, but its criticism of the referee is decidedly off-color. Burns the referee in fact was very fair and impartial while the umpiring by the W.-J. man was about as disgraceful an exhibition of partiality as could be imagined. The W.-J. men played foul and off-side continually but the umpire would not correct them in spite of the fact that his attention was called to it both by the Wooster captain and the crowd. The off-side playing and fouling was partially noticeable in the work of W.-J.’s centres, both guards, and Lynch, the quarter-back, who was in the Harvard team four years and is not a student in W.-J. The trouble at the end of the game arose from the Umpire’s calling time while there was yet eleven minutes to play. By the rules no one but the referee has the right to call time and until he does so the ball is in play. The referee ordered the men to line up and it was simply the umpire’s fault that
W.-J. was not there to try to prevent Wooster’s touch down and goal. No other decision than the referee’s can be accepted according to the authorities on foot ball who were present, among them being a number of the members of the A.A.A. team of Allegheny. The touch-down would have been made by Wooster anyhow as the W.-J. men were completely winded and at Wooster’s mercy and the umpire, recognizing this fact attempted to save the game and got caught.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 12.
6 December, 1890
pg. 194
50-0.
Wooster Vs. Adelbert.
A Tough Game, But The Black And Gold Get There Just The Same.
The afternoon of Wednesday, the 26th, witnessed Wooster’s hottest fight on the foot ball ground. The day was good, clear and moderately cold, and a fair crowd, among whom were many ladies, witnessed the struggle. There was some wrangling before the game began, it being claimed that the visiting team were not all regular college men, but finally at 3 o’clock the toss was made, Wooster won, and took the lower goal, and the game was on. Following are the teams:
Adelbert. — Positions. — Wooster.
Smith. — Left End. — Long.
Bicknell. — Left Tackle. — Chalfant.
Taylor. — Left Guard. — Bogle.
Stewart. — Centre. — (Capt.) Campbell.
Eisenhard. — Right Guard. — Phillips.
Hart. — Right Tackle. — Tyndall.
Phillips. — Right End. — McGaw.
Hill. — Quarter Back. — Alexander.
Kendall. — Left Half Back. — Yoder.
Wilson. — Right Half Back. — Limb.
Stockwell (Capt) — Full Back. — Ross.
Fitch. — Substitutes. — Work.
Stage. — “ “ — Julliard.
———– — “ “ — Andrews.
Referee—Gleason. Umpire—Speer.
The game started with a “V” and a clever dodge on the part of Stockwell who passed the Wooster line but was downed before he reached the 25 yard line. Limb ran across the field and wend down close to “in touch,” Ross followed with a long kick and Wooster gained 20 yards, but Adelbert kept the ball. In fact, throughout the game, the visitors clung to the spheroid with grim tenacity. Adelbert failed to gain on two downs, Kendall punted and made 10 yards, but Yoder downed the ball “in touch.” When the ball was again put in play, it was thrown from one half bak to the other and deftly caught. Yoder carrying it close to the 25 yard line. Limb made a brilliant run, and crawled on after he was tackled, being finally downed close to the Adelbert goal. Tyndall carried it across in front of the posts, and Ross made one of his old familiar dives taking the pig-skin right between the goal posts scoring the first touch down. Time, 5 minutes. Limb kicked goal, and the score was 6 to 0. Adelbert started from the centre of the field with a “V” and by good playing gained 20 yards. Wilson, the nimble little dodger, tried hard to get through but gained nothing. Hill fumbled and Ross gained 20 yards by a punt. Bad passes lost ground for the visitors, until finally Stockwell was forced to punt, but Yoder retrieved nearly all the 20 yards that Adelbert gained. Limb followed by a daring run, and again the ball hovered dangerously near the Adelbert goal. But somehow there was a fumble, one of two that Wooster made during the game, and the visitors gained 10 yards. Kendall took a plunge but gained only a yard which Tyndall by main strength recovered. Yoder took the sphere and tucked it snugly under his art, and while the on-lookers saw him appear at intervals flashing in and out among the players, he glided into goal and made 4 more points. No goal. Play was resumed at the 25 yard line. Kendall nearly got through the rush line and Wilson dodged and gained 2 yards. “12-36’34” yelled Wilson, and in the ensuing scrimmage, Adelbert shoved 2 yards. Indeed, they had a knack of massing their strength and usually gained ground in a shoving match. “34-56-12-1” was the next signal. The spectators took up the cue and some of the mathematical gyrations of the crowd were highly amusing. Bicknell made a brilliant play and gained 20 yards. Adelbert shoved 2 yards, but Campbell got the ball, only to lose it to Adelbert in the next scrimmage. Hill fumbled and McGaw by fine rushing got the ball and gained 15 yards. Ross punted, but Gleason declared Limb’s tackle a foul and Adelbert advanced 5 yards. At this period the visitors played their most plucky game. Several plays fast and furious ensued, and Limb made a magnificent run, plowing his way through the lines with half a dozen men wildly clawing at him, and made a touch down right between the posts and capped the climax by kicking goal. Wilson in several short runs gained 15 yards, which McGaw’s tackling and Hill’s fumbles combined to make Adelbert lose again. Adelbert now waited long before putting the ball in play, seeming to want a rest. On the third down Stewart preferred to lose 20 yards than to lose the ball and accordingly (con’t pg 195) Wooster advanced that distance. Stockwell landed the ball way down the field by a long punt, 30 yards of the ground being recovered by Ross, by a run and kick. The play wa now in the centre of the field, Wilson lost a yard, and on the next pass McGaw put his arms around Stockwell just a the ball reached him. But next time Stockwell tore through the Wooster rush line as if it were paper, and made 10 yards. A series of hard plunges and the ball was on the Wooster 25 yard line, but Yoder, Phillips, Alexander, and the pig-skin all arrived at Stockwell just at the same time. Campbell got Hill rattled, Chalfant plunged in and gained 10 yards, passing the ball to Ross who gained 15 more. But Gleason declared the pass a foul; still Wooster was out of danger. Next time however Alexander and the backs misunderstood the signals, and Adelbert gained a few yards. Yoder ran on his knees 5 yards, carrying all Adelbert with him, but in the next scrimmage Adelbert recovered the ground by plucky pushing. Tyndall made a good tackle but his hold slipped and went flat on his face to the ground, hanging to his man’s foot. But he was game, “certainly I’m ready,” he said, and lined up with the blood running down his face. Gleason however called time. Play was resumed with Adelbert in possession of the ball. But Kendall let the ball strike his breast when it was thrown to him from Hill, and Yoder secured it. A gallant fight by Limb, and he made another touch down, and kicked goal. A moment later the first half closed with the score 22 to 0.
Second Half
Lack of space prevents a detailed account of this half. Wooster seemed tireless and played an aggressive game, this time having the upper goal. A few runs and a good dodge by Chalfant, and in 10 minutes Alexander put the ball on the ground between the posts, and Moxy [Limb] kicked the goal. Adelbert’s “V” melted like the mists before the sun, and in a few moments Limb ran 30 yards in fine style, and in his next run scored a touch down; he was thrown against the goal post, but pluckily got up and tried for goal; following in 5 minutes with another touch down, and a successful try for goal. A few more plays and Campbell got the ball in front of him giving it a slight punt, Tyndall captured it and the score went up to 44. Then followed a series of rushes and Hart was downed by a brilliant tackle. (But he did not cry “down” and when the Wooster backs came up he ran with a clear field for goal. Ha he been a good runner he must have made the coveted touch down, but Long overhauled him 10 yards from the Wooster goal. a wordy wrangle followed but Gleason allowed the play. Now Wooster showed her mettle. They were in danger of a touch down. Just two minutes and ball was way down by the Adelbert goal. Phillips got the ball, by Yoder rattling Kendall, Ross punted out of bounds, Long captured the ball, Campbell rushed, and Limb and Ross took successive headers into the Adelbert line. Wilson and Bicknell fought hard to get through but gained only a yard between them. Yoder ran, and Limb played the same trick that Hart had tried. But this time the play was not allowed, and Moxy had to bring the ball out again from the goal. It was now getting dark and Fitch took the place of Kendall who was unable to see. Yoder made a beautiful dash and gained 20 yards, Ross took a terrific plunge, and Yoder scored the last touch down, from which Limb kicked goal. The game was over and the score was 50 to 0.
Pointers.
Adelbert sent down 28 men.
Glad to see our Faculty and business men out.
J.J. Thomas of the college press was on the field.
The boys have improved, especially in kicking goals.
The “Professor and Faculty seemed to enjoy” the situation.
Kendall, the left half back for Adelbert, played a regular full back game.
Adelbert and Oberlin are soon to play. The result will approximately indicate how we compare with Oberlin.
Wilson, Stockwell, and Smith, are regularly on the Adelbert Freshman team which has been winning laurels in the city.
W.W. Riddle, ’90, our last year’s full back, was on the ground, and thinks we have a better team than last year, showing a marked improvement in team work.
Gleason, the referee, plays right end for the Cleveland City Team. Stewart plays centre for the same, while Bicknell is their left tackle, and Kendall their full back. They recently defeated Pittsburgh 6 to 4. Gleason thinks Wooster would make a tough match for them.
McGaw’s and Alexander’s tackling, Limb’s remarkably brilliant running and the general all round play of Wooster, Bicknell’s daring, and Wilson’s dodging, were the features.
Our Ohio State friends took the pains to write up to the Adelbert eleven warning them they Tyndall was a dangerous brute. It is the unanimous testimony of the Cleveland men that our Indian friend played a fair and square game. Suppose Columbus takes a rest.
pg 196
6-4.
Washington and Jefferson “Downed.”
Wooster Loyal Lads Are Victorious Once Again.—Greatest Game of Foot Ball Ever Played by College Teams in Pennsylvania or Ohio.
The most exciting game of foot ball ever played in the history of Wooster athletics was that between the Washington and Jefferson and Wooster teams at Recreation Park, Allegheny, last Saturday afternoon. The day was as nearly perfect as the heart of man could desire. Unfortunately the match had not been sufficiently advertised and not more than eight hundred spectators witnessed the great contest. However, those present more than counterbalanced their deficit in numbers by their surplus (con’t pg 197) of enthusiasm. The ball had scarcely been put in play before nine-tenths of the male portion of the on-lookers sprang from their seas in the grandstand and on the bleaching woads and, with lusty cheers, made bee-line breaks for the immediate scene of action; and the half dozen corpulent cops had their busiest engagement of the season trying to keep the excited admirers of the contesting elevens back of the chalk line. Nor were the boys and men alone in the cheering. Whey were bravely assisted by their fair sisters who graced the bleachers. One young lady, whose sympathies were with the Wooster crowd, sprang to her feet, waved high her ready hat in air, and cheered so lustily for the Wooster heroes as to forget her equipoise and fall in a heap at the feet of her friends. But, nothing abashed, the speedily regained the perpendicular and continued cheering the wearers of the Black and Gold on to Victory.
Washington and Jefferson won the toss and chose the south goal. “Play ball” was called and the contesting elevens lined up promptly at 3 o’clock as follows:
W. & J. — Positions. — Wooster.
Hutchinson. — Left End. — McGaw.
Bruce. — Left Tackle. — Tyndall.
Tupper. — Left Guard. — Phillips.
Deahl. — Centre. — (Capt.) Campbell.
Johnson. — Right Guard. — Riddle.
Blayney. — Right Tackle. — Chalfant.
Myers. — Right End. — Long.
Lynch. (Capt.) — Quarter Back. — Alexander.
Clark. — Left Half Back. — Limb.
Rhen. — Right Half Back. — Work.
Hine. — Full Back. — Ross.
Substitutes—W.&J.: Sharrard, McKee, Crosbie, Mevay and Rowand; Wooster: Bogle and Andrews.
Referee—Burns. Umpire—Gibson.
In the first lining up it was clearly evident that a hard-fought battle was to be witnessed. Wooster had never yet encountered opponents able to score a point against her, and W. and J., victorious in all the matches she had entered, was there to win by some means or other, be they foul or fair. The game had not been on more than 10 minutes before every spectator, who knew the first principles of foot ball playing, had witnessed abundant evidence of unfairness on W. and J.’s side. Unfair blocking and off-side plays were the indulgences which the W. and J. sluggers had some how secured from their tool, the umpire. Time and again the attention of the umpire was directed to W. and J. men playing off-side and never once, not in a single instance, did he offer the slightest remonstrance. Every reader of foot ball regulations is well enough aware that to tackle a man, with the hands, who has to the ball, is unfair—is foul playing—and that it is likewise illegal for players on the rush line to use their hands in any way in blocking their opponents while the ball is being put in play. But all this the one-sided umpire permitted throughout the game by W. and J. players and that, too, without a murmur. Wooster’s left guard was repeatedly clutched by the throat by his opponent in the W. and J. line and Lynch, the Harvard man who played quarter back with the W. and J. team in this game, was many time seen to be standing with both feet on Wooster’s side of the ball when the teams were lined up for play, yet the umpire made no objections whatsoever. It is needless to say that this sort of thing was a decidedly novel experience for the Wooster team which has been accustomed to beating fairly or being fairly beaten, invariably the former however. But the boys put up a glorious game, played ball like gore-stained veterans from a dozen bloody battles and got there just the same.
Wooster opened the game with the “V” trick, Limb going through the opening and making a gain of 20 yards. Work followed, advancing the ball 16 yards, and Limb made another 3 yards when W. and J. got the ball and Blayney led off with a brilliant run of 20 yards. The ball was passed to then who fumbled and no gain resulted. Tried again with an advance of 3 yards. The ball was next passed to Hine, the full back, who made a magnificent kick of 25 yards, the ball rolling out of bounds and secured by Wooster. Campbell made a clever steal of ten yards. The ball soon got into W. and J.’s hands and brilliant plays by Tupper, Clark, Lynch and Rhen succeeded in bringing it to within 3 yards of Wooster’s goal line. W. and J. then attempted to push their full back over the line through Wooster’s centre, but failed, the ball being held when within 2 feet of the line, where it was called down. While the men were unstacking, Hines managed to work the ball across the line and W. and J. argued for a touch down which was not allowed. Wooster got the ball on the fourth down. Ross went through the “V” like a war horse and landed the ball on the 5 yard line before being pressed into the earth by the combined weight of the W. and J. players. Ball passed to Ross and he made a magnificent kick which sent the egg-shaped sphere flying over the enemies’ heads for an advance of 30 yards. In the scrimmage which followed Riddle was hurt (scalp cut) and retired from the field in favor of Bogle. In the plays succeeding, individual players on each of the teams won great distinction and merited the applause of the spectators which was liberally bestowed. Tupper, Blayney and Clark for W. and J., made brilliant runs which were balanced in results by advances by Limb, Work and Tyndall for Wooster. Long and McGaw covered themselves with glory by their strong and sure tackling and Ross’ mighty kicks, which never failed at critical points of the game, sent the ball flying as if it came from a 10-pound field piece. Lynch, the W. and J. quarter back was not behind the rest in telling plays. The remainder of the first half was played mostly in Wooster’s territory but the opposing team was not able to force the ball over the line. First one way it went and then the other but neither side was able to score.
The Second Half.
was begun with grim determination settled on the brow of each player in the contest. W. and J. worked the “V” trick and got the ball through for a gin of 15 yards, Clark gained 6 more on a strong run and Tupper loomed up with a brilliant dash, advancing his side 20 yards. In the next play Blayney placed the sphere within 2 feet of Wooster’s goal line and in an instant more Hine was forced over the line for a touch down, thus scoring the first points ever made against Wooster’s eleven. Time 6 minutes. The W. and J. constituency went wild. Hats waved, horns blew discordant blasts, triumphant yells rent the air and pandemonium reigned supreme. Rhen tried for goal but failed. The ball was carried out for a kick-out and ross made a long punt which was not allowed by W. and J. on the ground that a kick-out must be either by a drop-kick or a place-kick. The ball was returned and on the third trial Ross succeeded in making a long drop-kick without the ball rolling out of bounds. Strong rushes followed by W. and J. but no gains resulted and the ball went to Wooster. Ross punted for a 30-yard advance. Blayney made a clever steal of 10 yards before downed by Long. Wooster then began to show her endurance and metal. W. and J. rushed as if in desperation but it was to no avail. Her men were winded and could not break through the line. In four downs they failed to gain and Wooster got the ball, which went to Work who deftly tucked the pig skin under his arm for successful fun of 20 yards. In the play succeeding Limb was hurt and Andrews took a place on the rush line, McGaw playing the rest of the game as left half back. Tupper got the ball but was stopped by Ross. Work gained 3 yards, Ross followed going through W. and J.’s centre for 3 more, and McGaw and Work succeeded in carrying the ball 15 yards farther. Wooster’s playing at this point in the game presented a remarkable exhibition of successful running, guarding and blocking. The ball was moved with irresistible power straight toward W. and J.’s goal. The opposing line went down like wax toys before Wooster’s gallant rushes. Ross went through the line in the strongest rush of the game and gained 20 yards. the same tactics were tried again and Chalfant measured off 15 yards more.
The umpire began to awake to the fact that something had to be done and declared a foul tackle forthwith which lost Wooster 25 yds, and gave W. and J. the ball. But they could neither keep nor advance it. Tyndall and McGaw speedily carried the sphere over the lost ground and the 5 yd. line was reached. At this point W. and J. enthusiasts back of the chalk line concluded it was time to quit. They shook their open watches at the umpire and he, taking the hint most joyfully, called time, thereby displaying either his determination to rescue W and J. from defeat or his deplorable ignorance of foot ball rules. The referee declared that time remained and his decision agreed exactly with that of the spectators who had been watching the time during the progress of the game.
The referee called W. and J. to line up, but part of the team had already been carried off on the shoulders of admirers who took time by the forelock and rushed on the grounds as soon as they saw the slightest discussion as to the time. The ball was put in play and Wooster scored a touch down from which goal was kicked and the game was awarded to Wooster on a score of 6 to 4.
The hour was late and the crowd rapidly dispersed with Wooster’s triumphant “Ray!Rah!Rah!” ringing in their ears as they went The victorious players had scarcely time to don citizen’s clothing before the procession moved to the N.E. corner of the park where a special car was in waiting to speed them back to Wooster.
“Drop Kicks”
Between 30 and 40 Woosterites attended the game.
Among the ladies the “black and gold” predominated.
Moxy Limb dropping out weakened the team very materially.
The verdict of the crowd was: “There’s no flies on the Indian!”
Lynch plays a great quarter back, his “bluffing” to the contrary notwithstanding.
W. and J.’s giant center rush is named Deahl and Campbell thinks him that sort of a chap.
W. and J. played the strongest as well as the most unfair game Wooster has ever been in.
Sam Grove, Forest Price and Miss Clara Anderson were ’88’s representatives at the game.
When McGaw, Long, Tyndall or Limb made a tackle the victim invariably heard something drop.
Washington and Jefferson players leaving the grounds as they did was a source of regret to Wooster, as well as to their own friends in the audience who would have much preferred seeing them fight out the full time instead of showing the white feather by running away.
Clark, the w. and J. left half back played an excellent game. Having an ear badly split didn’t hinder him a little bit.
Bruce had his leg severely sprained and was carried from the field but pluckily resumed his place after a few minute’s delay.
The tasty badges worn by the Wooster delegation were presented by Jullian Seffries, the genial East Liberty street tailor.
Houston, ’93, now in attendance at the Western Theo Rem., was there with his sonorous voice in excellent trim. Ditto Hutchings with his red whiskers.
Wooster would rather have lost the game than to attempt to win by trying to bluff the referee and time keepers among the spectators out of ten minutes.
Washington’s yell went something like this: “Splash-et-te-quack! quack! quack! Splash-et-te-quack! quack! quack! We are ya—We are yahoos—Boom!”
__________
Locals.
pg 198
Not
Any more
Foot Ball this year.
Columbus has refused to play foot ball with Wooster today. The score of 64 to 0 was too much for their athletes. Wooster has the empty honor of a forfeited game. Had they come the management would have allowed the second eleven to have entered the field against them so that the game might have had the semblance of interest for the spectators.
The Wooster Voice
Vol. I., No. 13.
13 December, 1890
pg. 213
Locals.
The Foot ball team will have their pictures taken to-day.
1891. Marcus Limb is seated in the front row, second from the left (no. 12).
Focus shifts back to baseball for the spring term 1891 of University baseball and the town team, named D’Nice, after the manager, David Nice.
At some point in June 1891 the University of Wooster faculty announced their ban on inter-collegiate games, both baseball and football, going forward. The students returning in the fall semester tried to persuade the faculty to change their minds but were not successful. Inter-collegiate games did not return until 1901.
Marcus Limb did not return to University for his final year in the fall of 1891 but continued to be active in sports, as a player, an umpire and referee. A new sport of interest in later years while in the military was basketball.
Wooster Daily Republican
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 14 December, 1891
pg 3
The Last Game.
The Lower beat the Upper Classmen in a Close Contest.
The last game of football of the season was played at the Fair Grounds Saturday, between the upper and lower classmen of the University. Both teams were weak, but were pretty evenly matched. The lower class team was the heavier, but lacked in practice and headwork. Few fine plays were made. Herrick’s men brought the ball near enough the goal, to make it possible to make a touch down. Score: Lower 4, Upper 0. Gate receipts: $22.
Lower Position Upper
Taylor Left end Bogle
Kissell Left tackle Blair
Collier Left guard Vernon
Kauffman Center Burns
McMaster Right guard Green
Fleming Right tackle Mitchell
Barnard Right end Cochran
Davidson Right back Myers
Herrick Half back Allen
Liggett Half back Work
Billman Full back Hard
Referee—Yoder
Umpire—Limb.
The Wooster Daily Republican
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 11 October, 1893
pg 4
High School Doings.
Baseball, Football, Headball.
The High School nine will play baseball with the Preps next Saturday on the College campus. The High School is very fond and very proud of her “big sister” on the hill,—but she does enjoy a baseball victory, nevertheless. The “Brown and blue,” the “Black and the Gold,” long may they wave—with the former on top next Saturday.
Class Spirit is perhaps more wholesome than any other one enthusiasm of school life—barring that of study. One week from next Saturday a game of football will be played between the B class and A’s and C’s of the High School. The teams are as follows:
The boys say, “Come, and wear your class colors.” and all really sensible people are fain to say, “Come out of barbarism and play something else.”
Only a teacher can appreciate fully what one might have learned in school-days; so none can enjoy studying more than a teacher. With Prof. Haupert as leader, the teachers in the public schools will study Thring’s “Theory and Practice of teaching.” Prof. Thring is the present-day Arnold of England and the opinions which he expresses in his practical and thoughtful book are to be regarded as authoritative.
Prof. Haupert’s “Teachers’ Meetings” are a success. For one reason, they are intensely practical. The topic discussed on Monday evening was that most vital one, touching the moral and immoral effects of co-education in our public schools. The teachers were of the opinion that the good accomplished far out weighs the evil. Wisdom asserts it, experience supports it, history establishes it. But there is another question—shall we be satisfied while any immoral influence is propogated among our youth? “The good is the worst enemy of the best.” Parents and teachers alike cannot guard too jealously the purity of the young lives committed to their care. Here is one good rule to observe—Clea reading, clean conversation, clean lives, reach from the home through the school to the nation. And that’s what we want.
The Wooster Daily Republican
Wooster, Ohio
Saturday, 4 November, 1893
pg 3
Freshies Surprise Sophs.
A Close and Exciting Foot Ball Game.
The foot ball game between ’96 and ’97 played this morning at the athletic Park resulted in a draw, the score being 8 to 8. The game at times was very exciting and hotly contested. The Freshmen secured first possession of the ball and started off with a V, netting a gain of 10 yards. The ball was again put in play and fumbled, however Scharff gained possession and made a long kick, sending the spheroid within 10 yards of ’96’s goal. ’96 now took the ball and by a succession of rushes, carried it over the Freshman goal in less than 15 minutes. The ball was then brought back to the center of the field, the Sophomores failing to kick a goal, and Scharff scored a touch down for ’97. No other points were made but early in the second half ’96 secured a second touch down, but again failed to kick a goal. Neither side was able to score until within three minutes of the close of the second half, when Scharff by a brilliant run again carried the ball over the Sophomore goal line. Neither side was able to kick a goal. McKee, Williams and Clark of ’96, Barnett and Rahm of ’97, won many compliments from the numerous spectators. Dudley Hard and Marcus Limb acted as umpire and referee.
As a footnote to the University’s initial short-but-successful football career is this 1903 article from The Wooster Voice.
The Wooster Voice
Wooster, Ohio
Monday, 30 November, 1903
pg 4
Magnificent Record.
When Will History Repeat Itself?
In the year 1890 Wooster had the best foot ball record of any college team in the Middle West. Every team played was severely beaten and half the teams challenged were afraid to take up the gauntlet against Wooster’s fast eleven.
The record for that year tells its own story:
Negotiations were entered into for games with Oberlin and the University of Michigan and arrangements were almost complete, but both teams backed down before the great record Woster was making.
After 1890, Intercollegiate Athletics were banished from Wooster by the authorities until 1901 when they were restored. Handicapped by the necessity of developing a team out of new material, Wooster could not work up a winning team in the first season. The score of the season of 1901 follows:
In 1902 Wooster took a great brace, as the scores show.
This year Wooster has had a great deal of difficulty to contend with and the scores are not as high as last year.
Wooster Republican
Wooster, Ohio
Wednesday, 6 November, 1907
pg 4
By The Way
“Captain” M.R. Limb is one of the old war horses in the football business in Wooster, and takes great interest in the way the game is played nowadays. When Dr. Limb was captain of the university team away back in the early nineties the team won the championship everywhere, and for several years along this time had one of the best teams in the country. “We took some long chances in those days,” said Dr. Limb in talking of the situation.
But we made some big gains with them. We used to use a double pass*, where the ball was passed from 20 to 30 feet after almost the entire opposing team were after the fellow with the ball, that was a great success, and frequently made very great gains. I often think the play could be used today to great advantage, as it was certainly a fooler, these days.” Dr. Limb thinks there is a tendency, these days, to play the game too open, and that the interference does not get a good enough start, for this reason.
* As per Wikipedia: “A double pass is a trick play in American football. A double pass is a lateral thrown out wide with a second pass then thrown downfield. The play starts with the quarterback throwing an overhand lateral, called a screen pass, to a player split wide. That player then throws a forward pass downfield to a third player. A variation of the play has the second downfield pass caught by the quarterback, who leaks out after throwing the initial screen to the player split wide. This often works well, due to the likelihood of the player being uncovered, as normally quarterbacks rarely run pass patterns.”