DRISCOLL IS OUTWITTED BY CONZELMAN
Islander Quarterback Calls Onside Kick That is Converted Into Victory.
By J.L. HUGHES

“Chicago, IL, Oct. 17. – In a battle of wits here yesterday afternoon at Normal park between Paddy Driscoll, former Northwestern star, and Walter Camp’s selection for all American Quarterback, and Jimmy Conzelman, product of Washington university of St. Louis and all Missouri quarterback, the latter piloted the Rock Island Independents to a 14 to 7 victory over the Chicago Cardinals. The Islanders’ field general out-smarted the famous Driscoll by a decisive shade in a combat that was filled with thrills aplenty for approximately 4,000 football fans.”

Game Summary by RII.com

When the Rock Island Independents took the field for warm-ups, star Jimmy Conzelman was nowhere to be found. Jimmy was not sure he was going to be able to play, he was down with a heavy cold. Thirty minutes before the kickoff he walked onto the field and as they say, the rest was history...
Rock Island won the toss and elected to kick. Woenig sent a deep kick to Barry who fielded the ball at his own 5-yard line. Barry made his way to the 30 and the Cardinals offense took over. On 3rd and 5 Paddy Driscoll fumbled the ball and Woenig recovered at the Cardinals 35-yard line.  The Independents didn’t fair much better as Vanderloo fumbled it back to the Cardinals.  Driscoll and the Cardinals took over at their own 38 and again were held to a punt. Driscoll booted a punt to Rock Island’s 25-yard line; Conzelman returned it up to the 35. The Independents advanced the ball for a first down.  On 3rd and 11 Conzelman pulled up to pass to Novak but the pass was blocked at the line.  The Cardinals could not advance and Driscoll punted to Conzelman who was downed in his tracks as he caught the ball at the 21-yard line.  The Independents were held and Woenig sent a booming punt from his 20-yard line back to the Cardinals 20. Paddy running with speed and knees high in the air, shook off one tackler, the crowd cheered as they rose to their feet. Driscoll zigzagged through the broken field and broke free from another tackle. With only one man to beat, it looked as if Conzelman might have the angle on Driscoll. With arms outstretched Jimmy made a desperate lunge, the runner slipped by and the crowd erupted. Paddy had an open field ahead of him and took the ball over the goal line. Driscoll kick the extra point. CARDINALS,7; ROCK ISLAND 0.

Driscoll kicked off and the kick sailed over the goal line and out of bounds. The ball was brought back for a re-kick. Malone returned the kick to the 29-yard line.  The Islanders were once again held to a punt.  This time Driscoll was held to a short return. The Cardinals finally got a first down as Driscoll hit RE Sachs for a 31 yard pass.  After a couple of runs, it was 4th and a half yard for Chicago. McMahon went through center for 7. On second and 8 from the 20, Driscoll’s pass was intercepted by Malone. Malone took the ball to the Rock Island 48.  The interception had shifted field position.

The teams exchanged punts. Rock Island took over after a 13 yard punt return by Conzelman.  Conzelman plunged through center for no gain. Eddie Novak had a beautiful pass called back due to both team being called for offsides.  Conzelman once again put the ball in the air. Hayes caught the 37 yard pass and gained another 7 after the catch. The Independents were finally in scoring position. From the 7-yard line the Independents tried 2 smashes for no gain. On third down the pass was incomplete. The Independents decided to go for the touchdown on fourth down. Malone took the snap and passed to Novak who then tossed the ball over the goal line to Woenig. The double pass worked and the Independents were a goal kick away from a tie. Woenig kicked goal to tie the game. CARDINALS, 7; ROCK ISLAND 7.

The Cardinals defense had held all game except for the long pass by Conzelman. Hoping to gain a field advantage the Cardinals elected to kick off. Rock Island took over at the 20 after a touchback. Woenig lined up for a punt and on a fake took it 5 yards. Woenig then punted to the Cardinals 35. Once again Driscoll broke free. The crowd rose in excitement as Driscoll crossed the 50. The Islanders were able to angle him out of bounds at their 35 yard line. There was a penalty on the play, offsides Cardinals. Rock Island was given the ball due to the penalty. Conzelman ran off left tackle for 9-yards. Vanderloo got the first down on a 3-yard carry.  On the next third down Conzelman passed to Vanderloo. Vanderloo slipped as he caught the ball one yard short of the first down.  Time was running down in the second quarter. With the ball near mid-field, Conzelman called Woenig to pass the ball on third down. Woenig dropped back for an apparent pass. With Jimmy on-side Woenig punted the ball low and short into Cardinal territory. Driscoll ran back to receive the punt. Conzelman raced down the field. Paddy got to the 5-yard line to receive the punt. The ball landed short at the 8 and skipped by Driscoll into the endzone.  Conzelman ran by Paddy and into the endzone after the ball. Conzelman recovered the ball for a touchdown. Maybe not realizing the Independents were onside Driscoll had made a huge mistake by letting the ball go uncovered.
Woenig kicked goal.
ROCK ISLAND, 14; CARDINALS 7

Time was running out in the second quarter. Woenig kicked to Barry who returned the kick to his 25-yard line.  On third and 7 from the 28 Driscoll hit Sachs at the 50, Sachs took the pass and was tackled at the Independents 38.  Both sides took time outs. After a couple runs and a tackle in the backfield it was fourth and 11 for the Cardinals. Driscoll was able to complete a pass to LE Marquard for 13 and a first down. From the 25 Driscoll hit Sachs for another pass, down to the 7 of the Independents.  With little time on the clock the Cardinals called a time out. Driscoll tried a short pass to McMahon, it was incomeplete. Same result on the next play. On third down Driscoll passed for Sterger, incomplete again. Rather then attempt a field goal Driscoll took the snap and passed the ball over the goal line. The ball hit the crossbar and the Independents has escaped. The half ended with Rock Island in possession.
ROCK ISLAND,14; CARDINALS 7

Ed Healy took over for Travis at right tackle.  Driscoll kicked the ball to start the second half. Both Woenig and Conzelman tried to make the catch. Woenig caught the ball and stumbled but regained his balance and returned the kick to his own 22-yard line.  Rock Island took a time out as Keefe was injured on the play. Hanson replaced Keefe at left tackle.  Conzelman was stopped by left tackle and Vanderloo fumbled again, this time Vanderloo fell on the ball. The Independents were offside so they moved the ball back and it was second and 15. With the slip of Woenig and the fumble and penalty the Independents punted the ball away. Woenig sent a high punt to the Cardinals 40. Curran camped under it and signaled a fair catch. The ball hit his hands and bounced forward. There was a scramble for the ball. Hayes emerged with the ball at the Cardinal 49-yard line.  The Independents were held to punt. Woenig kicked a short punt, it was another onside kick. The ball only flew 15 yards or so and once again Conzelman raced down and recovered the loose ball.  Valuable time was ticking off the clock.  Rock Island punted, Ed Healey threw Driscoll for a half yard loss. The Cardinals punted. Independents ball at their 35. The Cardinals held and Rock Island punted again. Ball on the Cardinals 37-yard line, Ed Healy threw Driscoll for another loss.  Coughlin tackled Stager for a loss.  Another punt for the Cardinals and the Independents punted it right back. The Cardinals gain some field position on the exchange and were at the 43-yard line.  The Cardinals moved past mid-field on a run by Stager. Rock Island needed a time out for water. Lyle nailed Halstrom at the line on the next play. Driscoll ran for 7 on a cris-cross. On fourth and two the Cardinals called time out to discuss their options.  They decided to go for it. Driscoll took the ball and ran a fake criss-cross, hoping to catch the Independent looking for the same play. Big Ed Healy was not fooled. Healey focused on Driscoll and nailed him for a 6 yard loss. Rock Island ball on their own 26. Rock Island punted down to the Cardinal 30.  The Cardinals were penalized and threw an incomplete pass. Kohler shanked a punt from his 10 and it went out of bounds at his 36.  End of quarter.

another drop kick. The kick was short again but landed over the goal line. The Cardinals had held again and needed a quick score to tie the game. The drive started badly. Driscoll was thrown for a 5 yard loss. A penalty negated a 12 yard pass. Driscoll missed another pass. On Third down Driscoll hit Marquard at the 35 for a first down. Two plays later Driscoll faked a pass and broke though the line. Driscoll sprinted across mid-field and Hayes made a game saving tackle at the Independent 30. Rock Island’s defense held the Cardinals to a fourth and one. Steger was nailed at the line for no gain, Rock Island had held.  Time was running down, Rock Island would win the game if they could move the chains and hold possession. Novak failed to gain off left tackle. Conzelman stepped up as he had all day and broke through left guard for 9. Duggan was held to a half yard gain. It was fourth and a half yard, on their own 30-yard line. Rock Island would win the game with a first down. Unsure what to do, Rock Island needed more time to decide, they called their fifth time out and were penalized another 2 yards.  Now with just 30 seconds to play Woenig punted to Driscoll. Driscoll fielded the punt at his 35. The crowd knew this was the best chance  and rose to see if Driscoll had another good return in him. Coughlin spoiled the day as he tackled Paddy at his 39.  Driscoll ran for 2, then he passed for 8. The Cardinals were at the 50.  The Independents defense stiffened as Driscoll ran for no gain, and then threw another incomplete pass. With only seconds remaining Driscoll needed to get off a deep pass. Healey broke through the line and blocked the pass by Driscoll. On fourth down a pass intended for LaRose was knocked down. The Independents took possession and the game was over.
ROCK ISLAND, 14; CARDINALS 7.

Quotes From The Article

“Driscoll was caught flat footed by the unexpected play. The kick was perfect, being short and low. Paddy nonchalantly watched the leather egg bounce over his head and back of his goal line, fully expecting the ball to be returned o the 20-yard line for play. He was a surprised baby when the referee announced the legitimacy of the on-side kick, something which was executed so cleverly and quickly that he was entirely un-aware of it. “
“Total yardage was 367 against 316 in favor of the Cardinals”
“Independents smashed the line with more telling effect that the Cardinals, gaining 147 yards to 120.”
“Rock Island’s forward pass attack netted 73 yards and one touchdown. The Cardinals covered 87 yards on passes but failed at the critical times. Rock Island had 12 incomplete passes against 17 for the Cardinals.”
“Rock Island returned kicks 78 yards against 148 for the Cards, one of which was Driscoll’s celebrated dash.”
“Conzelman hit the line for 81 yards; Woenig, 15; Vanderloo, 6; Malone , 6; Novak, 5; and Duggan, 4. Driscoll went through for 54; Steger, 23; McMahon, 21; Kohler, 19; Curran, 2; Halstrom, 1.”
“Hayes gained 54 yards by receiving, Woenig, 7 and a touchdown, Vanderloo, 8; Malone, 4. For the Cards, Sachs, 56; Marquard, 35; Kohler, 19; and Scanlon, 8.”