The first radical change in the preliminary program of practice for the University football team was made yesterday afternoon. The squad of over sixty men was divided into squads of first and second team material. About 25 men, who are, of course, simply the earliest choice of the coaches, were picked for a first squad and divided into three teams which were given the first real signal drill of the year. In this squad were the following men: backs, Captain Wendell, Bradlee, Bradley, Brickley, Freedley, H. Frothingham, Gardner, Gibson, Graustein, H. Hardwick, T. Hardwick, Logan, Spang, and Willetts. And of these men, the ones who were placed on what seemed to be the team of first choices were Captain Wendell, whose ability is already known as a line plunger and defensive back, Brickley, captain of last year's Freshman team and a clever drop-kicker as well as runner, Bradlee, of last year's Freshman, Gardner, twice quarterback on University teams, and H. Hardwick, halfback for the 1915 team who is being tried out for quarter by the coaches. These are men from whom a fast string of first team backs will undoubtedly be picked.
Surprises in Line Selections.
The line which was placed in front of the above choice of backs was one which caused some surprises, if it can be considered the first team line. Hollister played at left end, where he was expected to appear; but his team-mate at the other end of the line was Smith, of the 1915 Freshman team. Whether the latter will have the call on this place remains to be seen. Felton, Lingard, O'Brien Coolidge, and Trumbull all have the qualities which make good ends and the first named three have had University experience, Cleary, who has been out of football for several years, and T. H. Frothingham, who was playing among the backs last year, were in left and right tackle respectively. Hitchcock was not at the field yesterday and Storer played on another line-up at his regular tackle position. Pennock and Withington, both of the 1915 team, played the guards, flanking Parmenter, who at present seems the logical candidate for centre.
Such a line leaves much room for discussion, for it leaves out several who seemed practically sure of their places. Perhaps Hitchcock and Storer will be tried at guard if other tackles can be found, though this seems hardly likely. And Wigglesworth, who combines aggressiveness and weight, was expected to be seen in one of the guard positions. The surprises of yesterday's practice are perhaps only the forerunners of many which are to come.
Forward Pass Emphasized.
The work of the afternoon was a little more advanced than that of preceding days. A good deal of attention is being paid to the forward pass, which this year is much less limited than previously. But as no scrimmages have been held it is impossible to say what style of play will be adopted in the games. The second squad, however, had a short scrimmage which resulted in no scores and in which only the standard plays of football were used.
Teams Composing Squad A.
The three teams which composed the first squad were as follows:
Hollister, l.e.; Cleary, l.t.; Pennock, l.g.; Parmenter, c.; Withington, r.g.; T. Frothingham, r.t.; Smith, r.e.; H. Hardwick, Gardner, q.b.; Brickley, l.h.b.; Wendell, r.h.b.; Bradlee, f.b.
Coolidge, l.e,; Storer, l.t.; McGuire, l.g.; Robinson, c.; Driscoll, r.g.; Lawson, r.t.; Trumbull, r.e.; Bradley, Logan, q.b.; Willetts, r.h.b.; H. Frothingham, l.h.b.; T. Hardwick, f.b.
Felton, Lingard, l.e.; Poole, l.t.; Noble, l.g.; Makepence, c.; Wigglesworth, r.g.; Weston, r.t.; O'Brien, r.e.; Freedley, q.b.; Gibson, l.h.b.; Spang, r.h.b.; Graustein, f.b
