St Xavier College - Xaverian Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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Wittenberg October 18. T. XAVIER travelled to Springfield for her secnml tilt of the season, a 8 conference battle, with VVittenborpc. But the up-state aggregation proved to be a disastrous opponent for HThc Fighting Irish ; 32 and 7 were the respective numbers standing nn the scoreboard when thv din 0f conflict died away. Nevertheless, this score cannot be accepted as an indication that the Xaverians exhibited an inferior ht'aml of football. For three quarters of the way both squads fought an almost oven fuotingJWitte-nhorg leading by only six points. when the I'uurth period opened. Finding the line play and end run equally ineffective against a heavier enemy, Xavier resorted in the fourth quarter to a barrage that wrecked more havoc with friend than fne. Six times did the winning missle, hurled from her backfield, come to rest in the arms of at Wittenberg warrior, And three of these led to the nineteen points gleaned by the enemy in the final stanza. XavierKs touchdown came in the third period after a steady march down the field. The diminutive wonder. Tommy Mussio, pulled down a forward and skirted the left flank for six points. Wenzelk tne made it seven. The most pronounced feature of the Witten'herg game was. the improve- ment it brought out in the Avnndale gridders since their encounter with Tran- sylvania two weeks previous. In every position there was sign 01 development and evidence of hard training; - Page One Hundred Sixty

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a Transylvania October 4. CTOBER 4, 1924, marked net nnly the first game on the St. Xavier O 1924 football schedule, but also the dedication of Elet Hall St, Xaviex-ts fine new Dormitory, This marked a great step towards the realization of an ideal. Nearly all those attending the ceremony retired to Corcoran Field to encourage the lads in green, who were to show their wares in the initial conflict with Transylvania Cellege of Kentucky. I It was an eager, speculative throng that crowded the stands on this day The honor of a grand old school rested on the stalwart shoulders of a new team. The rippling notes of a whistle, a yellow oval somersaulting through the air, a perfect field, a jubilant mass of humanity,ethere, you have the inception of a new football season And well did our boys play their part. They fought doggedly to win their game and a place in the hearts of a critical audience that was watch- ing them perform for the first time. We can find no disgrace in their 13 t0 7 defeat, for they lost through lack of experience to a good team that was forced to keep its cleets in the sod every minute of play. Kelly turned in a brilliant game, his first in a college uniform. And Reynolds uneoverexi a few of his matchless passes towards the close of battle that kept the spectators on their feet. Whatever mistakes were evidenced in field generalship can be attributed to an inexperienced backfield. one just making its debut in collegiate football. The result of this game goes to strengthen the conviction that a team is Ktjinxed in taking the field after a dedication ceremony on its home grounds. Page One Hundred FiIty-nine

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Maryville October 25. HENEVER the name of Maryville College is mentioned to a Xavier man, at least for some time to come, it is bound to conjure up that hectic battle waged on Corcoran Field. October 25th. And why? It is because his Alma Mater emerged a laurelled victor? Far from it. Was there much of the unusual about the game? Not exactly. But Maryville showed one play that had everybody in the vicinity of the stadium guessing. and we do not except our own pigskin warriors. Xavier scored her lune touchdown in the first quarter, after a varied attack of runs, bucks and passes. The second period gave no points to either side, and the half ended with a 6 t0 0 count in favor of the home team. The Tennesseeans did not seem sure of themselves or their opponents at any time throughout the first two rounds. Just what happened to the Maryville crew during the fifteen minute intermission is hard to say. Judging from their football in the third quar- ter, they must have snuffed dynamite; for the red-jerseyed outfit proceeded to garner three touchdowns out of five plays in highly efficient style. One of these markers resulted from the deceptive trick formation referred to above. Spectators, sport writers, players all spotted the man who was evidently carrying the ball. When attention was focused on this individual, Brown, Maryville tackle, came to life on Xavier's forty yard line, and with the skill of a master magician, produced a football from nowhere at all and strolled across his opponents' goal line. Even though the enemy augmented its lead, sportsmanship called forth much merriment at the mingled ex- pressions of surprise and dismay. Maryville added a fourth touchdown in the final stanza, making the count 26 t0 6. These figures stood till the final whistle blew. Pam: One Hundred Sixly-une