Penn Victory Was a Costly Affair

Although relatively easy, Harvard's victory over hopelessly outclassed Pennsylvania may prove to be costly. First string guard Charlie Kessler left the game in the first quarter, and trainers are not sure about the date of his return.

Kessler, who has been one of the toughest men in the forward unit all season, first damaged his knee in the Columbia game, and reaggravated the injury late in the first quarter Saturday on Bill Grana's touchdown run over guard. He will definitely miss the Princeton contest this week.

Another Penn clash casualty was halfback Scott Harshbarger, who reinjured a knee that was banged up in the Lehigh game. Harshbarger will miss practices this week, and his status for Saturday is questionable.

The loss of Kessler and Harshbarger will hurt, but coach John Yovicsin received some consolation by the return of several missing linemen yesterday. End Tom Stephenson, on the bench for two weeks with a rib fracture, is back, along with tackle Jeff Pochop and guard Walt Dobrzelecki. Guard Bill Southmayd should be able to work out today.

Stephenson was a starting end before his injury in the Holy Cross game, but replacement Pat Young has done such a superb job that Yovicsin is loath to move him back. Stephenson will probably play on the Minuteman line Saturday.

The return of Pochop fortifies the tackle spot, perhaps the weakest on the squad right now. Dobrzelecki and Southmayd are especially welcome at guard, particularly with Kessler out. Yovicsin was forced to play center Joe Minotti at guard last Saturday to plug the hole created by injury.

Both Southmayd and Dobrzelecki may be in the starting line-up for Princeton. Sophomore John Vinton, switched to guard from tackle last Saturday, will back up Southmayd, while Ernie Zissis will battle Dobrzelecki for the starting berth on the left side of the line.

Even with Kessler gone, Harvard will be in its best physical shape since the beginning of the season. That news is especially welcome because reports from Tigertown indicate Princeton has also recovered from early season injuries and is at its physical peak.

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Harvard statistics to date show All Ivy fullback Bill Grana leading the team in rushing with 243 yards in 41 carries. Grana was named to the ECAC Team of the Week for his performance against Penn. Halfback Bill Taylor is second in rushing, with 211 yards in 35 tries. Taylor also heads the receiver column with 178 yards on six catches, and the scoring totals with 32 points.

Quarterback Mike Bassett has compiled a total of 358 yards total offense, which is 61 yards better than his record for all last season. While everyone says he is a running quarterback, Bassett has 257 yards in the air and five touchdown passes.