EYES ON THE PRIZE

Recent history has not been kind to the Harvard football team in its yearly matchups with Cornell.

Last year was an unmitigated disaster for the Crimson, as ferocious Big Red linebacker Mitch Lee sparked a 28-0 wipeout in Ithaca, N.Y. The year before was even worse--Harvard choked away a sure win on two wild snaps over punter Alan Hall's head for safeties.

In the Crimson's last Ivy League title season, 1987, its only league loss came against the Big Red, who utilized a juggling, tip-drill TD catch in the endzone in the last two minutes of the game to upset Harvard.

The Crimson hasn't beaten Cornell since 1985.

But as Harvard (2-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy) prepares to host the Big Red (1-2, 1-0) at 1:30 p.m. today at The Stadium with the Ivy League lead on the line, Harvard Coach Joe Restic is more concerned about very recent history--namely, the Crimson's 35-14 rubdown at the hands of Holy Cross last Saturday.

It was a tale of two blitz-obsessed defenses. The Crusader D enjoyed the best of times, recording 12 sacks of Harvard quarterback Adam Lazarre-White. Meanwhile, Restic's pursuers proved vulnerable to an efficient air attack, yielding 377 yards passing.

"We learned we're going to have to play more consistently on both sides of the ball to win," Restic said.

Lazarre-White has been scraped off the Fitton Field turf and is ready to lead the Multiflex, but a host of injuries in the trenches have left Restic concerned about the history that will be made today. Right guard Mike Zweber should return to the lineup despite a pulled Achilles tendon, but his sidekick at right tackle, Captain Tom Callahan, is not expected to play.

That leaves reserve Milan Kosanovich the nasty job of containing All-Ivy defensive end Rob Ryder, a formidable sack threat despite a broken wrist. Big Red linemen Tim Cronin and Ardrell Mannings are also All-Ivy candidates, providing matchup nightmares for Restic. And then there's the omnipresent threat of the blitz.

"If they watched the Holy Cross film, I'm sure we'll see some blitz," Zweber said. "They'd be crazy not to try it."

Cornell Coach Jim Hofher is not big on the blitz. Last Saturday, two Big Red blitzes backfired for Bucknell big gainers in a 42-21 loss. Without Lee, who Zweber said "hit me as hard as I've ever been hit," Hofher is leery about sending his linebackers en masse.

"If we decide pressure is necessary, we'll bring it. I saw the sacks they gave up last week," Hofher said. "But I also saw some guys running around downfield, wide open."

Restic will be counting on Lazarre-White to get the ball to those wide-open receivers, especially tight end Andy Lombara, whom Hofher rated as one of the league's best players. Harvard's 20th-year coach said he planned to open up the Multiflex this week and even promised to unleash a trick play or two.

"As a team, Harvard does more things than anyone in America," Hofher said. "More alignments, more different looks, more things to prepare for. Just getting lined up against them is a challenge."

The Crimson's defensive line, which helped hold opponents without a TD for the first 123 minutes of the season before succumbing to the quick-strike Crusader attack, has also been decimated by injuries. Cornell signal-caller Chris Cochrane will be relievedto see injured starting linemen John Brzezinskiand Barry Littman roaming the sidelines today.

The Big Red's dangerous rushing duo of 1989 IvySophomore of the Year John McNiff and fullbackScott Oliaro won't miss them, either. Neither willHofher--but the rookie coach is too busy worryingto get too relieved about anything these days.

"They lost to a very good football team lastweek," Hofher fretted. "Before that, six points intwo games. I don't care who you're playing That'sdamn good defense."

Behind the scenes, Restic will be tinkering,adjusting, still searching for the skill positioncombinations that will bring him an Ivy title.Andy Bell and Rodney Taylor will start at runningback and split end, respectively, but theirbackups will press them for playing time.Lazarre-White has earned the starting nod forgood, but how often he will take to the airremains to be seen.

But today's war will probably be decided in thetrenches and to the winner goes a big head starton the Ivy race.

"There's no doubt that what happens at the lineof scrimmage will be a tremendous determinant,"Hofher said. "It's so critical to the tempo, towhat everybody's trying to get done. We haven'tdone a good job there the last two weeks innon-league games."

But this week counts.CrimsonMichael KoehlerROBB HIRSCH (31)