PORTSMOUTH, O., Nov. 30 - A drizzle that had lasted for hours before the game and ended just as the play began aided the Portsmouth Spartans to defeat the Chicago Bears, 3 to 0, here today.

A place kick from the 17-yard line by Glenn Presnell in the second quarter proved the margin of victory while the heavy going bogged down the Chicago's backfield threat.

The victory left the Spartans in second place and a game and a half behind the champion Green Bay Packers.

While slowing up the field the rain also cut down the attendance and the Spartans found it a mixed blessing. The game was up to expectations but found the highly touted Grange barely able to gain while the mud horses of both teams did the heavy ground gaining.

A powerful Chicago line halted several Spartan thrusts. Early in the first period McKalip of the Spartans blocked Lintzenich's punt, with Cavosie of the Spartans recovering on the Bears 31-yard line.

Grange Fumbles Lateral
In the second period Ebding, of the Spartans, recovered Grange's fumble of Brumbaugh's lateral pass in midfield and after the Spartans had passed and bucked the ball to the 8-yard line Presnell dropped back to the 17-yard line, and with Lumpkin holding the ball, booted it over for the only score of the game. A second Spartan offense in the second period ended on the 24-yard stripe when the half ended.

Substituting almost an entire new team at the half, the Bears opened with a drive that took them inside Portsmouth's 20-yard line for the only time in the game.

Nesbitt, Bear full back, who had started in the march, was stopped here and Walquist's pass over the goal line to Johnsos was knocked down by Clark.

After an exchange of punts the Portsmouth eleven, after one of Nesbitt's kicks had been downed back of the goal line, inaugurated the most sustained ground-gaining offensive of the game piling up six first downs as they marched to the Bear 11-yad line. After Cavosie had gained two yards, and a pass to Presnell from Clark had gained three more to put the ball on the six-yard line, the running plays were smothered and the Bears got control of the ball, making a last desperate stand.

Chicagoans Lose Ball
After forcing the Spartans to punt they lost the ball again when Emerson, of the Spartans, took a wild heave. The game ended soon after.

Substitutions for Portsmouth- Mitchell, Holm, Long, Roberts and Alford. Subs for Chicago- Murry, Joesting, Molesworth, McMullen, Walquist, G. Grange, Franklin, Trafton, Schutte, Nesbitt and Burdeck.

Source: Ironton Evening Tribune November 30, 1931