Undefeated Penn to Test Gridders; Santini, Zbrzeznj Lead Penn Attack

Half of the East's undefeated major college teams will be in Harvard Stadium Saturday when fourth-ranked Harvard hosts sixth-ranked Penn in the fourth Ivy contest for each team.

While the Crimson was mechanically rolling over Dartmouth 22-7 last weekend, Penn was upsetting highly-touted Princeton 19-14, assuring itself of a winning season for the first time since 1958. Penn was picked as a pre-season favorite for the league cellar, but has pulled a surprise each week and has finally earned respect.

Meanwhile, Ivy favorite Yale made numerous mistakes, but still managed to win 25-13 over Cornell Saturday at Ithaca. Yale has also won five straight games, three in the league, to share first place with Penn and Harvard.

Quarterback Brian Dowling was once more the offensive standout for the Bulldogs. He threw passes of 17, 26, and 46 yards, while halfback Calvin Hill scored on a pass and on a 5-yard run. Even so, Yale coach Carmen Cozza commented, "we didn't play well." He said he was concerned over Yale's loss of the ball seven times by fumbles and interceptions.

Penn's upset victory last week has turned this Saturday's game into a crucial contest for both teams. Harvard coach John Yovicsin said Penn is not only "the best-balanced football team we have played this year," but also "the best team."

Penn halfback Gerry Santini ran for one touchdown last week, and quarterback Bernie Zbrzeznj threw for another to pace the Penn offense as they have done all season. Penn's football rebuilding program--initiated five years ago with the hiring of Head Coach Bob O'Dell--seems finally ready to bear fruit.

O'Dell has been especially pleased with his defense. He had special praise for defensive back George Burrell, who intercepted two passes from Princeton's Brian McCullough to stop scoring drives in the final five minutes of last week's game. Penn, which has allowed only 45 points in five games, held the Tigers scoreless for the first three periods.

Coach O'Dell spoke highly of the Crimson's "crisp offensive blocking" and the running combination of Captain Vic Gatto and Ray Hornblower. O'Dell added, "We're still coming and we'll stand a shot at them if we perform our very best."

This Saturday's game should prove a match between two stingy defenses. Nationally, Harvard ranks third in defense against scoring, yielding only 41 points. Penn, which has allowed 45, ranks fifth. If the game is close, a key factor could be Penn's Eliot Berry, who has booted eight field goals.

Harvard is still having trouble with injuries. Cornerback John Ignacio reinjured his knee against Dartmouth and is a doubtful starter this weekend. But Junior Neil Hurley is filling in nicely, and will start against Penn. Joe McGrath will not play Saturday at right tackle, but with luck Bob Dowd will be healthy enough to regain that starting berth at right tackle.

The Crimson must pay close attention to quarterback Zbrzeznj, who completed ten of eleven attempted passes near the end of last year's Harvard-Penn game, which Harvard won 45-7. He will be one of three comparatively small men on the field Saturday. He is 5'9", Santini is 5'8", and Gatto is 5'6".

In other Ivy League action this Saturday, Yale will host Dartmouth, Princeton will try to rebound against Brown, and Cornell will tackle winless Columbia.