The Season Begins and Ends Today

The success of a football season for a team from Harvard or Yale is judged in relatively simple terms. Regardless of previous accomplishments or failures experienced in the course of eight not-so-important weekends, The Game determines The Season in very conclusive fashion.

If there is any justice in the world, the type that your mother always told you to expect, then Harvard's two-year string of last-second victories which have ruined outstanding Yale seasons will be back to haunt the Crimson in this year's edition at Soldiers Field. The powerful and revenge-oriented Elis are a rampaging football team right now, having turned things around after an opening game loss to Brown.

"I can hardly believe that they're the same team that I saw on television eight weeks ago," Harvard coach Joe Restic said yesterday. "They've come a long way, and right now, I'd have to say that they're the best in the league."

The Crimson has danced that danced before, however, and the fact that Yale is apparently the best will have little to do with the eventual outcome of The Game. A history of the unexpected runs through recent encounters between Harvard and Yale, as it does through the entire reign of Restic as Crimson head coach.

"I always like to have a new wrinkle or two for each game," Restic said, "and this one will be no different. We'll have to try a few things against that defense they've got. It is by far the best one we've had to face all year, and that includes Brown."

The Yale defensive system has been a key to the team's seven-game winning streak, and the Elis have not given up more than seven points in any of their past four outings. Coach Carmen Cozza has developed much the same type of defensive coordination that has marked most of his Yale squads, though this year the team is bolstered by stronger and more agile ends.

Pete Bonacum has continued to develop as one of the best defensive ends in the Ivies, while 6 ft. 5 in. Sheldon Smith anchors the other side of the line. The linebacking corps of Bill Crowly and Jeff Wall gives the Elies what Restic terms "excellent drop coverage" for the pass.

The biggest boost the Yale defense received in the past week was the Harvard injury report, which listed quarterback Jim Kubacki as a probable started with a crack in his transverse process (ask your pre-med roomie what that means) and halfback Bob Kinchen doubtful with strained ligaments. According to Restic, Kubacki will play (though in a good deal of pain) while Kinchen will probably spend the afternoon exhorting his teammates from the sideline area.

"Kubacki knows how to play with pain," Restic said. "Just take a look at last year's Brown game. But the loss of Kinchen will be extremely tough to overcome. He gave us a balance in the backfield which will be very tough to replace."

Mark Taylor will try to do that job on Saturday, joining Tommy Winn and Chris Doherty in the backfield behind Kubacki. Taylor has been plagued this season with shoulder problems, though he will be 100 per cent for Saturday's game.

Offensively for Yale, the name of the game is John Pagliaro, though Restic cautions against overlooking his backfield running mates John Hatem and Mike Southworth. "They're well balanced in the backfield. Southworth is a very good runner, and he opens things up for Pagliaro. Their option pitch play is made effective because they all can run with the ball."

The backfield diversity has left Restic without the option to overshift and load up on one side of the line, so the defensive strategy for Harvard will stress shutting off Pagliaro's inside game. "We want to bump him outside," Restic said, "and keep him from getting turned upfield. Sideline to sideline he's not that tough, but he's an exceptional runner when he's headed upfield."

The Eli offense has built a reputation of ball control in past weeks, witnessed by the fact that quarterback Stone Phillips & Co. held the ball for almost 45 minutes in the game against Penn. There are no Gary Fenciks to catch passes, however, and it is therein that the potential weakness lies.

"The key down for us will be first down, and the key number is four," Restic said. "If we can hold that running game to four yards or less on first down, they won't keep the ball on us for very long. When they have to throw or get long yardage with the run, they are not as effective."

The comments harken back to The Game two years ago, when the Crimson loaded six defenders onto the line of scrimmage in a successful attempt to stifle Yale's spectacular backfield. Though the specifics can't be released, something similar may be in the offing for this year's version

"They block one-on-one at the line, and it's effective. There's nothing fancy about it," Restic said. "But there are variations in defense we can use to offset the pattern. Carm (Cozza) hasn't changed much over the years, and their basic system is the same. It's power football, and we'll have to find some way to stop it. It's that simple."

Harvard's offensive power is almost a polar opposite from that of Yale, disdaining ball control for a big-play game plan that outfinesses opponents. "We won't be controlling the ball, but then again we never do. We'll just have to take advantage of the breaks that come out way and hope for a good game from Kubacki. Out strength (defense) will have to outplay their strength (offense), and the rest will take care of itself," Restic said.

With an outside chance of getting a share of the Ivy League title, and the traditions of The Game pervading the atmosphere, the Crimson has spent the week preparing for the contest that will decide the season. Restic's new wrinkles (don't forget the single wing) may be the key for what appears to be a slightly overmatched Crimson squad, and the coach won't be bashful about using them.

"The element of surprise is something we're always putting to use, and we'll continue to do so until it stops working in our favor. There's no reason to hold back now," Restic said.

A trainload of 772 Yale students will be arriving in Boston around noon today, replete with 200 gallons of mixed drinks inside them and hopes for the Ivy championship riding high. The scene is one that occurs in Cambridge every two years, though recently it has been heacaches and disappointment and not the Ivy trophy that has accompanied the riders back to New Haven.

How long can this go on? Not forever, but Harvard fans hope that the string can be extended for just one more afternoon. We've seen it all before, and we'll see it all again.

The Game will decide The Season.