Harvard Takes on Princeton In 'Biggest Game of the Year'

Do or die. Sink or swim. Backs against the wall.

Name the cliche, and you can bet the Harvard football team is using it, thinking about it and living it, because today at Princeton's Palmer Stadium, the Crimson faces what can safely be termed its biggest game of the season.

After cruising through its typical why-bother-playing-if-you're-going-to-lose-so-badl y streak, Harvard (1-4 overall, 1-1 Ivy) must now focus on the only glory it could possibly have coming to it: the Ivy League title which it hasn't won in five years.

Given the strength of both Princeton and Dartmouth, it's clear that the eventual Ancient Eight champion will not have more than one league loss. After crumbling against Cornell two weeks ago, Harvard cannot afford to drop another contest. If if does it will fall into the ever unsuspenseful fight for the third through sixth spots in the league. (Brown and Columbia have permanent leases--with an option to buy--on the Ivy cellar.)

Today's game, then, is for the season. Just listen to the players.

"It's definitely a must-win situation. We control our own destinies," said senior fullback Mike Hill. "This is a must-win. This is just like the last game of the season for us," piped in fullback Monte Giese. And halfback Kendrick Joyce not to be outdone offered this assessment: "This is the biggest game of the season."

Get the picture?

Harvard clearly has the will to win, but that's not going to make today's battle in the heartland of New Jersey any easier.

Old Nassau packs a serious punch: Mike Tyson wearing a concrete glove, a.k.a. Keith Elias, a 5'11", 190-lbs. running back who finds holes where there are none, breaks tackles that have already been made and holds onto the ball even when it's hit out of his hands.

(He's also faster than the speed of light and can leap tall buildings in a single bound.)

Elias' numbers have fallen to the level of mere mortals, because of his three-carry, two-yard game against Holy Cross last week, a game he suited up for in spite of an ankle injury. Before that, Elias was already being fitted for the blue spandex suit and red cape. Check out these Superman-ly, pre-Holy Cross statistics.

206.3 yards per game. 114 carries for 825 yards. Eight touchdowns. In just four games. For Harvard the main task will be to stop Elias. The speedster won't get the start because he missed a day of practice this week, but expect him to see a lot of action if the Crimson defense shows signs of life.

In place of the man of steel, Princeton Coach Steve Tosches will start versatile back Erick Hamilton, who is quite a talent in his own right. Starting last week against Holy Cross, Hamilton collected 120 yards on 20 carriers, including a 74-yard TD run, Princeton's only score of the game.

Giese said that Harvard is prepared to stop either one of the backs, as it did last year when the Crimson held Princeton to 11 first downs and 22:43 in possession time.

"They're both very effective runners. Personally, it doesn't matter to me who it is. We have to contain whoever it is that's back there," the Winthrop senior said.

Harvard reasons, quite correctly, that it must focus on shutting down the Princeton rushing game to win. Princeton is blessed with hands-of-glue receiver Michael Lerch, but it is also cursed with arms-of-jello quarterback Joel Foote, so the Tigers' passing game generally takes a back seat to Elias and Co.

Harvard's rush defense could be up to the challenge today. It's currently ranked second in the Ivies, giving up only 112 yards per game.

The offense, though, has been as come and go as Ross Perot this season. Against Lafayette, the Crimson attack may have revived itself. Quarterback Mike Giardi did the magical things that earned him lavish praise last year, and the receivers and backs made the key plays. Harvard piled up 29 points, the most it has scored all season. OK, Lafayette's defense is one of the worst in the Patriot League. Yes, the Crimson's hands still look like they're dripping 10W-40. And, sure enough, Harvard did, lose to Lafayette.

But Harvard players said the Lafayette game gave them something they've needed all season: confidence and focus. "Lafayette gave our offense some confidence it didn't really have in the earlier games," Hill said.

Giese said that the Crimson is now a different team: "This is the game that's been in our minds. Immediately after Lafayette, we could finally feel it coming together. It's here, we said. We have that positive feeling that things are finally here."

If these things aren't here today, you can bet that come November 21, the Ivy League ring won't be either.

SPORTS CUBE PREDICTS Jay K. Varma, Sports Editor Princeton  17 Harvard  14 Y. Tarek Farouki, Sports Staff Writer Harvard  22 Princeton  17 John B. Trainer, Sports Staff Writer Princeton  31 Harvard  16 Dante E.A. Ramos, Design Editor Princeton  27 Harvard  24