The absence of several first string men and the reappearance of others in action were most significant features of yesterday's football practice. Howe, a Junior backfield man who saw experience in quite a few of the 1923 games and who captained his Freshman team, was dismissed from the doctor's squad and declared available for the Holy Cross contest. The depleted quarter-back ranks were strengthened by the addition of Akers, for two years a member of Coach Fisher's squad who was dropped to the scrubs the second week of practice.

Some of the group of players who stood on the sidelines yesterday were being given a day of rest after Monday's strenuous scrimmage. Among these were Captain Greenough, Daley, and E. H. Bradford. On the other hand the absence of Rogers, Gehrke, Samborski, Spalding and Cheek was not from the will of the coaches, but because of injuries. According to Trainer Donovan these men should all be in uniform by Saturday.

Without Cheek and Spalding, the first two quarterbacks. Coach Fisher must depend in the next few days on Stafford, Akers, and Zarakov to direct his three teams. Stafford, who excells as a ground gainer, will be used in place of Cheek when the so-called fourman backfield is desired. Akers, on the other hand, much resembles Spalding, as he has a light build and is a brainy signal caller.

Dunker is expected on Soldiers Field any day. He is only being held at the Stillman Infirmary until a negative culture can be taken. The disease has naturally left him in a weak condition and it is doubtful if he even dons a uniform before the middle of next week. It was hoped, when he first developed diphtheria, that he would be able to take part in the Dartmouth game, but that seems almost impossible.

Yesterday's practice went to the opposite extreme from Monday's violent scrimmage. Dummy practice and a long kicking workout made up the afternoon. Zarakov, Miller, and Hammond, with Stafford calling signals, started on the Team A backfield. Chase, Hoague, Bradford, Adie, Kilgour, Lindner, and La Farge made up the line.

The absence of so many of the regulars from the line-up yesterday, gave no clue as to what will be the main feature of the week's practice preparatory to the Holy Cross encounter. Whether Coach Fisher uses three or four offensive threats in the backfield, the question that is being most widely discussed by football enthusiasts, will probably depend on the condition of Gehrke, Spalding and Cheek on Saturday more than on the judgement of the coaching staff. The Holy Cross-B. U. game last week showed that the Worcester eleven's greatest asset lies in its backfield. Many rough spots must be polished in the Crimson line if it is to withstand the plunging attack of Glennon, Healy, and Crowley, the flashing Purple backs