Dockery Named Ivies' Back of Week, Also Picked for ECAC Weekly Team

John Dockery, Harvard's reluctant halfback, was named the Ivy League Back of the Week yesterday for his play against Cornell.

The Eastern College Athletic Conference also selected the Crimson junior to its major-college team of the week.

Dockery probably was the first running back over to gain either distinction in a week in which he gained two yards rushing. But Dockery played 48 minutes, stood out on defense, and turned in the longest run in the history of Harvard Stadium, a 104-yard return of an intercepted pass for a touchdown. The score came on the last scrimmage play of Harvard's 16-0 win over Cornell.

Dockery didn't play freshman football, but he stood out as a halfback last year. When injuries moved him into a starting spot, he held onto it, and wound up second in pass receiving and fourth in rushing on the team.

But this season Dockery returned to pre-season training with a different ambition: he wanted to play quarterback, and he wouldn't go back to his old position until he got a tryout at the new one.

Dockery could pass, but he had little experience at quarterback. He was playing fourth-string when Wally Grant was injured the week before the Massachusetts game, reducing Harvard to one experienced halfback. At that point Dockery acceded to Coach John Yovicsin's pleas and went back to halfback.

Since then, he's been playing a lot of football. Since Dave Poe was hurt in the second quarter of the Bucknell game, Dockery has played almost every minute on defense.

He had one interception before this week, but his biggest moment came with 29 seconds left in the Cornell game. Then a Marty Sponaugle pass sailed over the head of intended receiver Stu Fullerton and into Dockery's arms in the end zone. He hesitated a moment, then took off and never stopped.

Assistant coach Jim Lents added after the game that Dockery had played his finest game of the year on defense.

Tackle Neil Curtin worked out yesterday for the first time since he injured his knee against UMass. Curtin might be able to play against Dartmouth Saturday, although he almost certainly won't start after three weeks out of action.

Dave Poe and Ken Boyda, both of whom missed the Columbia game with injuries and were used sparingly against Cornell, should be at top speed this week. That would put the squad in perfect shape except for quarterback Tom Bilodeau, who suffered a few bruises in the sideline rumble that broke out after Dockery's touchdown run.