Neil began calling signals. Benz dashed forward, seized the ball and plunged straight toward left tackle. Judd broke through the line, pushing guard and tackle aside, and dropped Benz for a loss of two yards.
The onlookers howled in glee. Coach Phillips was openly pleased at Judd's showing, "That boy can play!" he told himself, then to the varsity. "You fellows are rotten, … rotten!" he rasped. "Can't even gain on the scrubs!"
"We'll show you!" challenged Benz, now in a rage. "Just give me that ball again and, … and interference!"
The second play headed straight for the left side of the line; headed straight for, … but not through. Judd was again equal to the occasion. He toppled the entire interference and in some miraculous way tackled Benz for another loss.
"No wonder we can't gain!" cried Benz, indignant at this failure, "When
Rube is playing off side!"
"I wasn't playin' off side!" denied Judd, quick to resent this charge.
"You'd better take that back or, …"
"Or what?" sneered Benz, stepping up, hotly.
Judd, getting control of himself, turned away.
The spectators laughed but Coach Phillips put a stop to their merriment and censured the two players. "Another word from either of you fellows and I'll send you off the field. Play ball!"
The last try for a touchdown was an end run by Gary, halfback, around left end. Judd spilled the interference and McCabe grabbed the runner. The varsity had lost three yards in three downs against the despised seconds!