Football Notebook

No, Harvard Stadium is not an annex to Stillman Infirmary.

Yes, it seems that way. And no, things aren't getting much better.

The Crimson gridders (4-1, 2-1 Ivy) will head south to Princeton (2-3, 1-2 Ivy) today knowing that they will send their fourth-string quarterback against the streaking Tigers Saturday. Coach Joe Restic has received word that second-stringer Mike Buchanan's sprained ankle will definitely keep him out of the contest. QB-wide receiver Ron Cuccia may play Saturday, but his pulled hamstring did not allow him to get the necessary work for a start at quarterback. The long-term good news is that starter Brian Buckley continues to improve and may be ready for Brown next week, but he's out of the question for Princeton.

Called on to replace Buchanan in the second quarter of last week's 30-12 trouncing at Dartmouth, junior Mark Marion had a rough day, yielding five interceptions (not all of them his fault, but five interceptions just the same). Thus, the running game figures to be vital in the Crimson plans. Fullback Jim Callinan has worked out this week and probably will play, but his battered shoulder may reduce the junior's utility. Halfback Paul Scheper is still out, so the pressure is on senior halfbacks Paul Connors, who has not yet had the long-awaited big game, this year, and Tom Beatrice, who has been most effective as a pass catcher.

The Princeton offense, on the other hand, is soaring. With Mark Lockenmeyer at quarterback, the Tigers have won two straight, 31-19 over Columbia, and 14-10 over Colgate. And running back star Chris Criss (won't this guy ever graduate?) always gives Harvard trouble. The Crimson defense is healthy and should recover from its off day in Hanover; it had better, if Harvard is to have a chance.

One more thing: if Harvard loses this week, you can almost say so long to any chance for the Ivy title. Teams with two losses (especially before The Game) generally don't win the League. So count Saturday's game as a beginning of a renaissance or a battle of also-rans.