Eleven Journeys to Meet Aerial-Minded Columbia

The Harvard football team opens its Ivy League season tomorrow afternoon against Columbia in New York.

Head Coach John Yovicsin expects his defense to be severely tested by the Lion's ball-control passing game and their outstanding quarterback Marty Domres.

In the Harvard season opener against Holy Cross, the linebackers and cornerbacks were continually burned by passer Phil O'Neil, so Yovicsin has been drilling them hard ever since. He noted considerable improvement in the Bucknell slaughter last weekend, but Domres figures to be a real test.

Princeton smashed the Lions, 44-16, but not before the senior signal caller had set four League records, including most attempts (53), most completions (28), most passing yardage (373), and most offense (414).

With three good pass receivers, Domres figures to run only when he has to. His backs are not outstanding--Paul Burlingame and Mike Busa keep the defense honest but not much more--especially compared to catchers Bill Wasevich, Max Carey, and a very good tight end named Bob Werner.

The Columbia defense has surrendered 80 points in two games; statistics, however, may be a little misleading. Until early in the final period last Saturday, Princeton's much-vaunted offense had scored only two touchdowns. Then the Lions missed a key two-point conversion and the Tigers exploded for 30 points to clinch the decision.

Bucknell Bombs

Harvard's offense was devastating whenever it appeared on the field against Bucknell. Quarterback George Lalich looked a little smoother and more confident, halfback Ray Hornblower was cutting a little sharper and the two sophomore ends, Pete Varney and Bruce Freeman, continued to impress nearly everyone.

Columbia's defensive success will depend on its ability to handle Harvard's multi-faceted offense. The first two opponents on the Crimson schedule have been unable to cope with the halfback option pass worked so well by both Hornblower and captain Vie Gatto.