After Two, It's Still 10-0

Harvard and Penn, sitting together atop the Ivy League standings, square off on Philadelphia's Franklin Field Saturday to decide Ivy League supremacy.

Sound familiar? This weekend's crucial matchup has a precedent--the controversial 1982 contest between the Crimson and the Quakers. And the outcome was something to remember.

This week, The Crimson takes a look back at that memorable game.

The Second Quarter

In the second period of perhaps the most dramatic Ivy football game of the past decade began with Harvard, down 10-0 to the host Penn Quakers, in possession of the ball at midfield.

Crimson running backs Mike Granger and Steve Ernst, taking turns running behind a mammoth Harvard offensive line, marched the ball to the Penn 33.

Facing a second and seven situation from there, Crimson quarterback Don Allard decided to put the ball in the air, shooting the pigskin over the middle for split end John O'Brien.

But the errant toss landed in the hands of Quaker linebacker Kevin Bradley, who grabbed it at his own 28.

Bradley returned the ball nine yards, and Penn took over with a first and 10 from its own 37. Almost 12 and a half minutes remained in the half.

A quick combination of running plays brought the ball to the Harvard 40. Penn quarterback Gary Vura then took to the airwaves, firing consecutive completions to Rich Syrek for 17 yards and to backup Jim O'Toole for another 10 yards.

Three ground plays later, the Quakers--with a first and goal from the three--stood within jumping distance of seven more points.

At this point, however, the league-leading Crimson defense finally responded. Penn fullback Chuck Nolan was stopped cold three straight times.

The Quakers, faced with fourth and goal only a yard from pay dirt, decided to go for six. Vura dropped back and spotted Syrek in the end zone, but Harvard cornerback John Dailey saved the day, picking off Vura's pass and downing it for a touchback.

The interception was Harvard's 23rd of the season, tying the Crimson record.

But again the Crimson multi flex attack failed to respond.

And thus the scoreless second period left the tally at 10-0 in Penn's favor at intermission.

A full half of football remained for the Crimson to get back into the game, however, and both teams would need all 30 minutes--plus a little bit more--to decide the Ivy League championship of 1982.

Tomorrow: The Third Quarter