ONLY THREE LINEMEN SETTLED

Thus, only Captain Merrill Davis at right end, Francis Schildgen at right tackle, and center Bob Gibson, have been known and settled gridsters during the first month.

In the backfield, Gates' slow start forced first the attempted change of Hollingworth to quarterback. Then when Gates was ready to go, Hollingworth was next returned to left halfback to bolster this indefinite post. At fullback, the position was left open for the final decision on the battle between Howe and Hutchinson for first team honors, and although the battle continues, Hutchinson was placed in the "A" line-up to steady this position down.

Once more, it is easier to say that only MacLeod at right half was fixed and stationary during the experimental stages of the 1937 eleven.

Naturally, all of this held the Indians back a great deal, but it was both necessary and vital, since the veteran team of 1936 has passed into a glorious chapter in our football records, and this was the year of rebuilding.

As Dartmouth goes into the major stretch, its problems are many, including the fact that Brown, Harvard, Yale, Cornell and Columbia are all either as strong as, or stronger than they were a year ago, with Princeton slated to improve each Saturday, as is Dartmouth.

However, the problems at home are of more concern, since the opponents "am what they am," to borrow Popeye's expression.

Problem Number One is, of course, the gaining of experience for the Dartmouth gridsters. The Indians will make mistakes, so steel yourself to the fact. If the mistakes aren't too costly at first, Dartmouth will grow stronger as the season progresses and will become more dangerous each Saturday afternoon.

Problem Number Two seems to be either preparing tl\e first line from tackle to tackle for 60-minute football, or else finding dependable replacement strength for the regulars. At tackle, the return of Taylor to 1936 ability would solve one need. At center, Otis Mudge has gained ground rapidly, and will aid his mates materially before the season closes. Sophomore tackles Phil Dostal and George Sommers, while strong and willing, are candidates for a position that calls for experience almost more than any other spot in the lineup, and how quickly they master their duties is very important to the future.

At both left and right guard, there seems to be no one of outstanding ability to take over the substitution roles. As a matter of fact and with no bad intentions, we would say that all the guards must come faster than they have to date if the Dartmouth line is to be airtight defensively.

On both ends of the line, the situation on replacements is somewhat better. Veteran letterman Joe Pyrtek is on hand to back Miller and Hull at left end for depth on paper, at least. At right end, Davis is supported by junior Ed Wakelin, who is making his first try at end after a season at guard. Wakelin has his good days and his bad, like all of the other gridsters, but his average points toward a strong sub for the captain.

In the backfield the second quartet of King and Joe Cottone at the halfbacks, Howie Nopper at quarterback, and Howe at fullback, is only a shade behind the first unit. A scoring punch remains with the sec- ond backfield and, on the whole, the attack will not suffer while the starters are catch- ing their breath, if the occasion ever arises when they need to do so.

Against Springfield, King made two long touchdown runs which announced that the pee-wee back was ready for action this year, if any anouncement was necessary. Cottone was impressive in the same game with his hard running style. Howe hits hard, and can punt on a par with Hutchinson. Nopper blocks well and backs up the line in a steady, often flashy, manner.

As I have said before, the first three opponents were so weak that they gave little line on what to expect from Dartmouth the rest of the year. Scrimmages offer some help, but then they offer a better line on the offensive strength than they do on the defensive tightness of an eleven.

Dartmouth's showing against Brown may tell an entirely different story from this rather optimistic tale. If Dartmouth can show improvement against Brown, a Brown team that is the best Brown team in several years, although not a great eleven as yet, then the Indians will go into the Harvard game only a slight underdog in the minds of those who watch the Dartmouth eleven carefully.

It may develop that Harvard will be made a heavy favorite by the press. Somehow, I also hope so. For this will be a fighting Dartmouth eleven if nothing else, and the urge to upset a better eleven will help the team's will to win greatly.

Not that we go on record as saying Dartmouth will defeat Harvard this year, for Harvard has a truly great eleven this fall from all reports. But don't take the Indians too lightly, for they have something besides a prayer, according to my reckoning, taken on the compass with the needle pointing due North.

NEWCOMER AT ENDWhit Miller, captain of last year's freshman eleven, who has clinched the left endjob. His home is in Seattle, Wash.

HARRY ELLINGER'S TACKLE CHOICES Fran Schildgen (left), senior veteran who has bgen sure of a tackle job from the start ofthe season, and Larry Dilkes, junior newcomer who has garnered the other tackle postafter a year on scholastic probation. Schildgen hails from Naugatuck, Conn., Dilkesfrom Plainfield, N. J.