Harvard Battles Yale at New Haven Today; Both Teams Counting on Strong Defenses

Harvard and Yale renew hostilities today in a football game delayed a week by the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy. More than 50,000 fans are expected at the Yale Bowl, and hundreds of thousands more will watch on television.

Although much of the drama and flavor normally associated with The Game is gone (along with many undergraduates who chose to spend Thanks giving weekend at home), experts expect a close enthusiastic battle in this 80th game of football's most distinguished series.

Sports writers are quick to point out that in "this great, Ivy-draped grid rivalry" it is possible, and, in fact, advisable to "throw out the recordbook." Unfortunately, this advice is rarely heeded; the book is dragged out almost as frequently as in the World Series.

Some of the facts in The Great Record Book supposedly provide incentive for the contestants. Harvard, for instance, should be inspired by the fact that no seniors since the Class of 1931 have enjoyed three straight varsity victories over Yale. A win today would give the Crimson its third straight Yale victory and Big Three Championship, as well as a chance for its second Ivy League title in three years.

Yale Holds Edge

Yale may be encouraged by the fact its predecessors have won The Game 44 times to Harvard's 28, although considering the Crimson's tendencies this year some observers have predicted today's encounter will produce the eighth tie in the series.

To Yalles, these figures, along with other pertinent data, such as the number of Yale undergraduats listed in the New York Social Register, somehow prove that "Yale men are more desirable," in the words of the executive secretary of the Ell Alumni Board. They will not help win this afternoon's game, however, which will only show that Harvard has retained a decisive athletic edge along with its traditional intellectual superiority.

Both teams should have profited from the week's postponement. Harvard was given valuable time for four injured regulars to recover, and Yale was able to devote additional practices to converting its defenses from the single wing threats of Penn and Princeton to the flanker-T of the Crimson.

This may prove especially important ince for two weeks most experts have predicted The Game will be won by defense. Until their ill-advised trip to Princeton the Yalles had permitted no more than two touchdowns in 16 consecutive games. Harvard, with its now-you-see-it-now-you don't offense, has become famous in the League for its defensive finesse.

Although work all along the forward front may determine the victor, performances by tackles could be most crucial, as both teams like to run halfbacks and fullbacks through that section of the line. Harvard's Jeff Pochop and Yalle Perry Wickstrom, therefore, may be the busiest men on the field. Harvard end coach Paul McKee, who has been scouting Yale, predicted that Bill Grana and Scott Harsh barger, two Crimson backs who have an affinity for off-tackle runs, may find that area a bit congested this afternoon.

Trouble Inside

Yale's pro-type offense, which puts a wingback in a tight slot and splits the opposite end wide, places a good deal of pressure on the ends and corner men, but fortunately that is where Harvard is stongest defensively. "They may give us some touble when they run inside," coach John Yovicsin has admitted, "but I think our defense will be able to contain them." If Yale can be held to short gains, Crimson coaches seem reasonably confident few Ell touchdowns will develop.

It sems a platitude to say that Harvard's offense must be effective for the Crimson to win, but ties of 0-0 and 3-3 make this a prime consideration. Although the attack seemed to have gained new sparkle in the Princeton and Brown victories, Eli partisans have noted that the Crimson's greatest offensive gains have come against the leakiest defenses in the League.

Yovicsin's starting backfield today will include seniors Mike Bassett at quarter back, Bill Grana at fullback, Scott Harshbarger at half, and sophomore halfback Dave Poe. Wally Grant, the team's leading rusher, is on the second unit, but he seems healthy enough to do considerable work. The only other change in the Crimson first eleven is the return of Joe Jurek to the right tackle slot.

Should the weather be favorable, quarterbacks Bassett and Brian Rapp may be tempted to start a passing duel. Neither has thrown frequently in the past, but both have shown considerable competence in this area. Some aerial motion will probably be necessary to unsettle the strong ground defenses both teams are expected to display.

In any event, a Harvard victory appears inevitable. And as it seems probable that Harvard will be forced to have John Hartranft kick at least one field goal, it is likely the final score will read a pleasant Harvard 17, Yale 7.