The record which the foot ball team has made thus far this fall is not a pleasant one for the college press to dwell upon. We feel, however, that the time has come for some definite action to be taken in the management of our foot ball interests, and on this account we intend to speak plainly in the hopes that some agitation of the subject may result advantageously to the college. We sincerely hope that no one will feel the worse for our remarks, least of all any members of the team for whose benefit our criticisms are made.

In the first place we look back upon our record and what do we find? Not very much, it is true, but of such a kind that we can at least be thankful that our record is no larger. Five games have been played and of these two have been lost, or in other words forty per cent, of the games have been defeats. There was a time so many years ago when the college confidently awaited the result of intercollegiate foot ball games. A defeat was a surprise. Within the last few years, however, a defeat at the hands of Yale or Princeton has not shocked the tender sensibilities of the college as it once did. In fact a victory over Yale became as infrequent as a college holiday. But we still clung to the hope that our team, although outplayed by Yale and Princeton, could at least beat the smaller colleges. Even in this hope, however, we have been disappointed. The question naturally arises: "Where is this to end? Shall we a few years hence be playing games with preparatory schools?" Although this is of course an exaggerated view of our prospects, the hard, cold fact remains that our foot ball prestige has almost disappeared. Something must be done, something must be done quickly, something must be done earnestly. The officers and directors of the foot ball association should meet and discuss plans for the improvement of the eleven. A complete and thorough reorganization of the team should be made. The college we have heard many persons say, is by no means satisfied at the personnel of the eleven. This remark applies especially to the rush line. Here is the greatest fault of the team. Let new men be tried in some of the places. If these do not tend to improve the team then it will not be the fault of the management if our eleven is defeated; it will be the fault of the college for not furnishing better material.

Then the backs do not play as well as we had hoped. The kicking is not as good as that of last year; the punts are not long enough. The backs should be out on the field practising kicking every afternoon long before the eleven arrives. Then too the goal kicking must be improved. It is disheartening to work hard for a touchdown and then lose the goal. Nothing discourages an eleven like that. The goal kicker must make himself as sure as he possibly can by constant, unflagging practice.

The whole team must be improved in every possible way. They must play with more "sand," to use a favorite college word. Our last defeat was undoubtedly due in some degree to the want of this quality. We sincerely hope that our past defeats will open the eyes of the management to the numerous defects in our eleven and enable it to correct them as far as possible before any important games occur.