The Yale eleven began the season with rather a gloomy outlook inasmuch as it was necessary to find two entirely new tackles and three of the four men behind the line. Another drawback was the lack of coaches in the early part of the season when so much depended upon their help for the formation of team work. The eleven has also been handicapped by the loss of scheduled games that have been cancelled at the last minute.

Much of the season was spent in trying to develope men for the vacant positions at tackle and finally it was found necessary to put Beard, who up to that time had been substitute centre, in the place that Messler had been occupying. Murphy, a freshman, will play on the other side of the line. Armstrong was moved to the position of halfback and Morris, who last year could not even make his freshman eleven, was put at quarter, when Adee had to stop playing for four weeks owing to a badly sprained ankle. Eaton, Thorne, Hall, Hart and Richards were tried for the other half and Thorne was picked as the best man for the position.

The team has played one or two very pretty games and some where there seemed to be absolutely no science whatsoever. At the time of the West Point game the eleven was probably in its poorest condition, but since then the men have made considerable improvement.

The Pennsylvania game was greatly needed for practice and in this game they gave the first exhibition of what they could do.

Since secret practice has begun it is impossible to find out how good or how poor they are and none but the coaches have any knowledge of how the game next Saturday will result.

Captain Hinkey's work this year has been chiefly from the side lines and the coach's position. His playing in some instances has been as brilliant as his past records.

Thorne at right halfback, is a new man and learned his game principally from the coaching which he received on the freshman and second elevens last year. He follows interference poorly but is a hard man to down.

Armstrang played at Andover before entering Yale. His old position in the line naturally made him a trifle slow for a position back of the line. His slowness is his chief fault.

Butterworth is a veteran behind the line. The coaches have been afraid to endanger his chances of playing in the larger games so he has had an easy time of it thus far, taking practically no part in the minor games.

Morris and Adee are both applicants for the enviable position at quarterback. In the first day's practice, Adee suffered an injury to his leg and has been on crutches most of the season. During his enforced idleness, Morris, his only rival, played a steady game, and thus has made himself the most promising man for the position.

The three centre men, Stillman, McCrea and Hickok, were looked upon at the beginning of the season as a most promising trio. Their experience of last year was depended upon to make these three men, as a combination, the peers of any on the football field. These hopes, however, have not been fulfilled. Hickok seems to be more agile than McCrea, but he leaves his position open much more than is pleasing to the coaches. McCrea is slow and gives no aid in the interference, his tackling at times is good, but at present his work is discouraging. Stillman shows no improvement over last year.

Beard is a new man for tackle, but seems to be learning the game rapidly. For a heavy man he is remarkably quick and his tackling is hard and low. Murphy is a freshman and has had some previous experience at Andover, where he played the same position. His fault at present seems to be an over-anxiety to get into the play, thus giving his opponents many yards by offside play. Taking the tackles as a pair and comparing them with last year's, they fall far below the standard.

Greenway played last year and his work is an improvement, comparing favorably with Hinkey's.