LMU RAILSPLITTERS
AT MARYVILLE COLLEGE
SEPT. 18, 1931

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Football


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Game preview from the Middlesboro Daily News, Sept. 18, 1931 edition.
(All spelling and grammar are as appears in the article)

'SPLITTERS HOPE TO SET PRECEDENT

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HOPE TO BEAT MARYVILLE IN OPENING GAME

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L.M.U. Squad Has Never Beaten Scots in History of Relations

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     Lincoln Memorial University had been playing Maryville in football for a long time.
     But the Railsplitters have never been able to defeat the Scots.
     Tonight these two teams meet at Maryville in a night game to project the Smoky Mountain loop's activities for the fall season. And Coach J. D. "Swede" Alexander hopes to set a precedent by beating Scott Honaker's gridmen.
     The Splitter tutor has been drilling his 33 men, eleven of whom are lettermen, in preparation for this contest for three weeks. Competition for every position has been keen, and by this token the Swede hopes to have an aggressive organization to meet the boys down below Knoxville.
     Captain Edward Liebrock seems to have the inside track for the halfback position, with Bruce Mitchell, Jack Johnson, John Shields, Leonard Burns, Jow Erwin, Clay Slover, Herbert Herndon and Clyde Headon showing up well in the backfield. Robert Jones, one of the shiftiest players, is almost certain to land the quarterback position. John Stover is also showing class at quarter. Loren Ross seems to be the choice of the fullbacks.
     Lincoln Memorial has never defeated Maryville, and Coach Alexander hopes to set a precedent this year.
     L.M.U. used to turn out some good teams, and then the football sport was dropped for a couple of years. Taking it up again last year, Alexander turned out a team which showed up remarkably well, and which made a recrd in the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Harrogate forces are anticipating a team this year which will cause then to burn many a barrel of tar in commemoration of gridiron victories over ancient foes.

Game story from the Middlesboro Daily News, Sept. 19, 1931 edition.
(All spelling and grammar are as appears in the article)

HIGHLANDERS TROUNCE RAILSPLITTERS 25 to 0
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NO PRECEDENT SET AS L.M.U. OPENS SEASON

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Scots Display Superior Form and Teamwork to Down Alexander's Crew

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     Maryville, Tenn. -- Using smashing off tackle plays and a tricky passing game, the Maryville College Highlanders defeated Lincoln Memorial University, 25 to 0, in the opening game on their 1931 football season here last night.
     A 40-yard run by Captain Lea Calloway was the outstanding feature of the game. The Maryville leader broke through tackle, reversed his field, and with a perfect shield of protection covered the distance unmolested.
     Woodward and Boretsky scored one touchdown each to figure in Maryville's scoring, while the final six-pointer came in the third quarter. Gwin, Highlander end, fell on a blocked punt behind the goal line. Overly and Teffeteller, guard and tackle, respectively, stood out on defense for Coach Honaker's men.
     Maryville made nine first downs to L.M.U's three. During the course of the game, the Highlanders blocked three punts. L.M.U. blocked one.
     Norris, center, and Liebrock, halfback, played best for L.M.U.
     Though they tried with might and main to beat Maryville for the first time in football last night, Coach Swede Alexander's Railsplitters were unsuccessful.