center and passed at to kicker or
runner.
When passed for a kick in this
manner the play was slow and,
dangerous, and because of the fre
quently blocked kicks, "discour
aged a kicker game.
The rules contained the proviso
that the ball must be touched by
three men before it was legally in
play. This appertnly prevented
direct passing.
But at Illinois university they
evaded this by having a player
stationed just back and to the side
of the center, coaching him to
make the pass direct to the kicker,
and this played just "ticked" the
ball as it was passed.
This ..saved time, and worked
so well that a general demand
from the west, for the removal of
the subterfuge, resulted in the
rules being changed to legalize
the direct pass.
The first direct pass in a game
came when Illinois met Wiscon
sin. Full back Hotchkiss waited
until the "safety" man was play
ing close and then, jumping back,
suddenly called for the ball, get
ting it on the direct pass, and
punting far over the Wisconsin
man's head, dashing down the
field and putting his men "on
side."
An Illinois end grabbed the
ball and went over for a touch
down. The rules provided that
the kicker could put his team
mates on side and secure the ball
by rushing down field to a point
even with the ball. Hotchkiss
did this.
George Huff, then, as now, ath-1
lqtic director at Illinois, sat on the
side lines and chuckled over the
success of the play.
The direct pass has made the
kickipg-ame-possible. Jt is more
difficult, to block, and gives the offensive-side
one more man to pro
tect the "kicker or to go down the
field with the punt.
TqmorrQw the second story of
this series, telling of the discov
ery of the "place kick."
John R. Richards.
"Ladies and gentleman," said
the manager, before the curtain,
"it is "my unpleasant duty to in
form you that Mr. C. , the
star"1 comedian, owing to illness,
will not be able to appear, tonight.
His system1 has had a very severe
shodkand he is suffering from
nervous prostration."
"What's -the matter?" shouted
one of 'the. gods from the gallery.
"Didsye.pay him. in advance?"
SiSHii.
.aaL- -&&,:.. j&r, mJsid