Nov. 30, 1900: Husky Gophers too much for Huskers

Nebraska Eleven Meets Defeat Before the Husky Minnesota Boys.

Best Exhibition of Football Ever Witnessed in That Section of Country.

By Wire From Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 30.

The husky Gopher eleven defeated Nebraska university at Lincoln yesterday after[noon] … It was the best exhibition of football that has ever been seen in Lincoln, and the Minnesota men found opponents worthy of their steel.

Fully 6,000 people assembled to witness the game, of which there were fully 800 Minnesota "rooters." The good work they did cheering their team opened the eyes of the local men. The combined efforts of the followers of the two teams in the matter of noise resulted in something terrific.

GOPHERS FIRST ON FIELD.

Dr. Henry Williams, Minnesota's legendary coach, led the Gophers to their first national championship in 1904. Minnesota was first on the field. It was just 2:15 o'clock when the heavy young men who have been under the care of Dr. Williams since early this fall ran onto the field. They were greeted by the shouts of 800 throats, and the "U" band struck up a lively tune in their honor.

They formed a circle and passed the ball around while the yells and music continued. The whistles of the machine shops added their share to the din, and noise was king.

Minnesota, with her usual luck, won the toss and took advantage in choosing goals of the strong wind that was blowing from the south goal.

Within two minutes after Nebraska had kicked off it was evident that there was to be a battle founded on two different styles of play. Minnesota resorted to line bucking, with an occasional attempt at end, while the lighter Nebraska team played a more open game, giving a chance for more brilliant playing from a grand stand point of view.

KNOWLTON'S GOOD WORK.

The defense of Minnesota was a puzzle to the Cornhuskers. The tandem formations plunged through their somewhat lighter line at will, and the mass plays carried everything before them.

Knowlton in the first half, with the wind at his back, did some excellent punting that invariably resulted in a gain of from 10 to 20 yards. An occasional dash around Nebraska's end broke the monotony of the heavy, close play that is effective, but not at all spectacular. When these end runs were tried they were nearly always good for a gain.

He got in his goal from the field in the game yesterday. It was a beautiful placement from the 30-yard line, and more than made up for his poor luck in kicking the goals, all three of which he missed.

For the first two touchdowns the ball was forced within hailing distance of Nebraska's goal by punting tactics, and then the husky Gophers pushed it over with comparative ease.

THE THIRD TOUCHDOWN.

The third touchdown was the result of a strong vigorous line bucking policy that forced Nebraska down the field for 70 yards. This was accomplished by the Gophers without once losing the ball.

Pillsbury made the first touchdown for Nebraska, but it is a question as to whether he would have ever reached the Gopher goal had not Doble collided with the officials. The run was a pretty one, however, 65 yards, with good interference. The officials admit that they were in Doble's way, Referee Allen stating that it was their fault entirely, and there is, therefore, no discredit to Doble for failing to land his man, as he surely would have done had the way been clear.

Van Valkenberg, Fee, La Fans, Tweet, Aune and Hoyt were the star ground gainers for Minnesota. There were called on early and often, and each time responded with a few more feet of Nebraska property to the credit of the Gophers.

Van was retired by a blow on the neck, which stunned him for some time, but he is not in serious condition.

Bender, who went in for Montgomery, succeeded in getting around Aune once for 20 yards, but he was downed at that distance.

CLOSE OF THE GAME.

The game ended with the score 20 to 12 in favor of the Gophers, and the Minnesota crowd gave vent to shouts and yells that will long be remembered in Mr. Bryan's home city.

The result of the Iowa-Northwestern game has settled the question of the Western championship beyond a question, and 11 young men, students at the University of Minnesota, and incidentally the best aggregation of football players that has appeared on the Western gridiron for some time are "it."