The Front Line: All Guts, Some Glory

Five football players, averaging six feet, three inches and 240 pounds, were recently sighted in Cambridge stopping almost every play against the run.

Could they be members of the Patriots' replacement team?

No, they are members of the Harvard Crimson's defensive line, a unit that has held the opposing offensive units in check throughout the early part of the 1987 season. Under defensive coordinator George Clemens, the group has fulfilled their own high expectations.

"I was very disappointed with last year [when Harvard went 3-7], and the more I [thought] about the upcoming season, the more I got excited," said Captain Kevin Dulsky, a standout defensive end.

The line's strongest performance came in the Crimson's 33-14 drubbing of Bucknell in the season's third week. Junior end Don Peterson's safety highlighted a game in which the unit came up with eight sacks, 12 quarterback pressures, and one forced fumble.

"Over the years, we've had equal or better individuals," said Clemens, a 12-year veteran of the Harvard coaching staff, "but collectively, this would be the best [I've seen since I've been here]."

Because of the group's success against the run as well as their tremendous experience--the five starters played in a combined 49 games last year--Clemens has been able to utilize a highly aggressive defensive game plan.

"We have stopped the run decisively in every game," Peterson said, "and that allows us to tee off on the pass."

Dulsky and Peterson are joined on the starting line by senior Greg Williams and junior Jim Bell at the tackles and junior Tom McConnell at middle guard. Junior Peter Allen and sophomore Richard Puccio have also seen significant playing time.

Dulsky and Peterson are the big play defensive ends--strong linemen with the speed and lateral mobility to track down runners from sideline to sideline.

"Peterson can be overpowering and has tremendous quickness," said McConnell, who labeled Peterson a "Lawrence Taylor type player" because of his intimidating pass pressure and his ability to run down ballcarriers from the backside.

Williams and Bell offer contrasting, yet complementary styles of play at tackle. Williams is the consistent player with the size and experience to stabilize the entire line. Bell, on the other hand, is the big-play man, specializing in tackles for lost yardage.

Noseguard McConnell helps maintain a strong position in the middle of the line without being pushed back, while also being able to apply tremendous inside pass pressure.

"It's been a long time at Harvard since there have been three people of that physical posture," said Clemens, speaking of Williams, Bell and McConnell. "It's been a matter of developing them each week."

The players stressed the importance of an intensive off-season training routine. The unit's physical progress is exemplified by Dulsky, who added 20 pounds over the off-season and is a lot stronger than last year. Yet, he has not lost any of the quickness and lateral movement that has characterized his play in the past.

"The offseason was a key with the running and lifting we did," Peterson said. "We are bigger and stronger than Harvard defensive linemen have been in years."

Unforgettable

The unit's finest moment came last Saturday against Cornell. With one and-a-half minutes remaining, the Big Red--trailing by four points--held a second down on the Crimson's two yard-line. The Harvard defense held Cornell on three consecutive plays, including fourth down and inches.

"That was the epitome of the way the defensive line has played this year," Peterson said. "It was good tough football."

Although the Crimson lost Saturday's game, the defensive line will have to put the loss behind them and continue playing inspired football.

"It was one of the best goal line stands in recent Harvard history," McConnell said. "We're pretty close as a unit. It may sound corny, but its important when we have to get low in those pressure situations."

So don't be confused if you think you caught a glimpse of some bigtime ball players. It was actually this year's version of the Harvard Crimson defensive line.