Yale's Cozza: 'Breaks Are the Came'

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--carmen Cozza, head coach of the Yale fastball teams, calling breaks the boy to the game, declined earlier this week to predict the outcome of today's battle between the Crimson and the Elis.

"If I knew that (the winner), then I wouldn't be nervous." Cozza said here Tuesday. "We haven't won in Cambridge since 1960--that's three coaches ago."

Yale followed a typical practice schedule this week. Monday, the Elis donned sweatsuits in a non-contact session and also viewed Harvard game films. The squad worked out in pads Tuesday, running through line drills and improving passing. Wednesday's workout involved even more teamwork, as each platoon worked together as a unit.

In the Thanksgiving morning session, the schedule again emphasized team work, as well as kicking.

Yesterday noon the players and coaches left on buses for Cambridge, where they worked out in the late afternoon.

Cozza who has been Yale's head coach since 1965, rated Harvard and Yale as equals, but he admitted that the Crimson has "a slight homecourt advantage." Cozza added "Every coach would rather play at home."

The coach had high praise for the talent and speed of the Harvard eleven. "They could kill you," he said Cozza blamed Harvard's topsy-turvy season on errors. "They've made some mistakes that got them into trouble, thats the thing that cost 'em," he said.

Cozza expects to go with what the Elis have been doing all year but he does plan some surprises. You always try to do something that will create some problems he said.

Cozza called this years Elis the most enthusiastic team he had ever coached Earlier in the year he had not expected the team to be in a high position in the Ivy League standings. What we've accomplished is super. Cozza said.

The Elis are in good shape physically Quarterback Tom Dovle was wracked up in Yale's loss to Penn two weeks ago, and the sophomore almost did not start in the Princeton game. Cozza said Doyle has recovered and he will open today's game at the helm of the Eli offense. Cozza added.

Doyle, who runs well, is starting over very strong passer Roly Purrington. Cozza will not hesitate to bring in senior Purrington. "I regard them both as first-string," he commented. Doyle gives the wishbone offense a fourth running book. "He's also got a good arm, but he throws a little too hard," Cozza said about Doyle's passing.

All-American halfback Dick Jauron, halfback Rudi Green, and fullback Tyrell Hennings make up the Yale wish bone's trio of runners. Cozza has nothing but favorable comments about Jauron, who is playing the last game of his Yale career today. "He's not only an All-American player, he's an All American boy." Cozza said.

"His greatest asset is his blocking," the coach said about Hurricane Hennings. Hennings who is also known on the Yale team for his sense of humor and multicolored game shoes may wear crimson and white footwear today. "He doesn't like it if they match Cozza said.

The Harvard offense is very complicated according to Cozza who added. "Coach Restic puts everybody but the student body into motion. Yale's defensive strategy today will not be to key on any one player but rather to set up according to the offensive formation. "You have to be bash Cozza commented. It's hard to get a rush on them."

Yale switched to the wishbone this year to take the pressure off of Jauron, and to balance the offensive attack Cozza said. He added that the wishbone which he calls the Yale. Yale also regared several young running backs aid two quarterbacks. The arrival of Green and Hennings as well as the due of Doyle and Purrington gave Yale the personnel for the new formation.

Yale's inexperienced offensive line played a role in the change also, Cozza said, because they could learn to block for the wishbone formation more easily than for the T-formation.

About his team's reactions to the wish bone. Cozza commented. "The line is sold on it and the backs are sold on it."

Cozza gave Penn a chance to defeat Dartmouth today if the Quakers play as well as they did against the Elis Coupled with a Yale victory, a Dartmouth loss of tie would give the Elis a share of the Ivy League crown.

Cozza had some hidding words for his punter, Jim Nottingham, who fooled his teammates and coach by taking a punt in the Princeton game and racing 67 yards before being cought from behind on the Princeton 19, "He likes attention," Conne said Appently, "We don't clap enough when he hicks those high boomers."

This Yale team, which has lost only on artificial grass, does prefer natural turf. "Our kids feel more secure on it" the Eli coach said.

The Elis played their best game in their 42-14 victory over Ivy leader Dartmouth, Cozza said. He added, "If we play the way we did against Dartmouth, we could play anyone."

Summing as Yales season and his hopes for the final game Cozza said. "They've come a long way this year. I went to win Saturday."