Despite the loss of Cowan and the lessening thereby of Erskine's chance of success, enthusiasm reigned high.

Perhaps their own cheers raised their spirit, for two days before the game the college was animated by a totally unwarranted degree of hopefulness that amounted almost to confidence.

The coaches, however, remained carefully pessimistic and took pains to see that the players did not share the general hopefulness.
"We may win," said Mills to them after the last practise, "but don't think for a moment that it's going to be easy.

If we do come out on top it will be because every one of you has played as he never dreamed he could play.

You've got to play your own positions perfectly and then help to play each other's.