OUTLOOK FOR GAME WITH INDIANS NOT TOO BLACK

When Referee Maginnes brought to an end Saturday's gridiron hostilities, and Holy Cross stood at the long, long end of a 26-6 score, a good many fans raised the usual cry about Harvard's perennial football weakness. But while these experts were rushing off to the goal posts to defend their college's honor, back in Dillon Field House Coach Eddie Anderson and his entire Crusader squad were voicing a unanimous praise of the work of the Crimson linesmen and were frankly admitting that if it hadn't been for one James H. Hobin the situation might have been quite different.

Outlook Not Too Black

This, in short, sums up the entire game, and this is why the outlook for the invasion by the Indians this weekend isn't as black as might be expected. For days preceding the meeting with Holy Cross, the Varsity coaching staff labored to produce a defense capable of stopping the Purple's Notre Dame-type running attack. The result was all that could be asked. The Crusaders were kept under strict control on the ground, and after the first period relied entirely on their serial offense for the punch behind their scoring threats.

Line Strong

Once and for all the Varsity proved that Casey, Walsh, and Fesler have produced a frontier that would rate on any man's ball club. Defensively there was little to be desired--except in one fatal department. Of course Hobin is a super passer, but just the same, he was given altogether too much time to get rid of the ball. The Crimson ends were not getting into the Holy Cross backfield fast enough to bother Hobin.

Backfield Slow

There was a second way in which the Framingham star caused trouble, and this time it was the Harvard backfield that was slow. Twice Hobin got off little quick kicks that went sipping over the Crimson backs before they realized what was happening. Then, too, on ordinary punts going in the reverse direction the Holy Cross receiver was never once nailed on the spot. A lot of distance was lost on the exchange of kicks on Saturday.

A good part of this criticism of Harvard's pass defense and work on punts comes down to the problem of speeding up the ends and tightening up on their tackling when they do get down the field. Having both Shaun Kelly and Bob Knapp injured on Saturday was a major tragedy.

Indian Passing Weak

There is, however, one very cheering thing to be considered. That is the fact that Dartmouth, the opponent this coming weekend, has been having trouble with its pass attack all season. So far, Coach Red Blaik has relied exclusively, on his Indians' running offense, operating, moreover, from a very few simple plays. This situation would fit into the present Harvard setup a good deal better than did the serial bombardment of the talented Hobin. So perhaps there's light ahead