On the Road to THE GAME

Columbia

Last year, Columbia got a new football stadium in an attempt to bolster a 1-7-2 squad.

The Lions promptly went out and did the one thing nobody thought possible--played worse, finishing 0-9.

This year Columbia tried a new tact: it hired a tough, new coach.

Jim Garrett, with 15 years in the NFL, might just be hard-nosed enough to turn Columbia around. He will work his team harder than any Lion team has ever worked and recruit harder than any coach before him.

For now, however, Garrett faces an uphill battle, most of the returning Lions are slow and small and all the hard work in the world isn't going to make them contenders.

The Lions have had one winning season since 1962. The last time Columbia one more than a single game was 1978.

Garrett looks like he'll return the Lions to the land of multiple victories, but he's battling a 23-year legacy of mediocrity that will be tough to shake.

Head Coach: Jim Garrett (Utah State '52)

Record at Columbia: first year

Last Year: 0-9

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 35-21

Series Record Against Harvard: 10-32-1

Captain: Bill Strack

Lettermen Lost: 20

Lettermen Returning: 29

Returning Players to Watch: Winslow Cervantes (LB), Rick Cavalli (LB), Joe Policastro (DB), Chris Guth (LB), Mike Francesconi (WR)

W & M

The Harvard football team will see a lot of itself when it gazes across The Stadium at the William & Mary bench.

Both schools were founded in the 1600s (W & M, the nation's second oldest college, opened its doors in 1696), both teams were one game over .500 last year, and both have an established quarterback behind an untested and unproven line.

Fifth-year senior Stan Yagiello will once again direct the pass-happy Indian offense which rushed for only 1157 yards in 1984. Meanwhile, Yagiello was taking to the airways, completing 261 of 428 passes (61.1 pct.) for 2801 yards and 16 touchdowns.

However, both the offensive and defensive lines were weakened by graduation, and loom as the Tribe's biggest question marks.

The defense will sorely miss graduated two-time All-American safety Mark Kelso, and is counting on junior linebacker Dave Pocta to step into a dominant role.

Head Coach: Jimmye Laycock (William & Mary '70)

Record at William & Mary: 22-33-0

Last Year: 6-5

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 23-14 (1981)

Series Record Against Harvard: 0-4-2

Captains: Bob Solderitch, Todd Lesson, Graeme Miller

Lettermen Lost: 15

Lettermen Returning: 32

Returning Players to Watch: Michael Clemons (TB), Stan Yagiello (QB), Dave Pocta (LB), Jeff Heineman (LB), Todd Lesson (S), Calvin Trivers (DB)

Dartmouth

Apparently all of Dartmouth's players were unsatisfied with last year's 2-7 mark. So they all decided to stay in school another year to get back on the winning track.

Or so it seems.

Because while the NCAA can't find any illegalities, an uncanny 20 of last year's 22 top offensive players and half of the top defenders return to Hanover this year to regain the form that has made the Green the most successful Ivy program.

The quarterback spot is the offense's only question mark. The likely candidate, 5-ft., 10-in., 170-lb. Brian Stretch, should feel quite comfortable handing off to veterans Ernie Torain and Rob Brown and lofting bombs to All-Ivy split end Scott Truitt.

Meanwhile, the entire offensive line--and then some--returns, as does the whole linebacking gang which plays the leading role in Dartmouth's Multiple 50 defense.

Dead-eye placekicker Craig Saltzgaber (19-20 XP, 9-12 FG) is also back.

Head Coach: Joe Yukica (Penn State '52)

Record at Dartmouth: 31-34-2

Last Year: 2-7

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 21-7

Series Record Against Harvard: 38-46-4

Captains: Rob Brown, Len Fontes

Lettermen Lost: 23

Lettermen Returning: 37

Returning Players to Watch: Brian Stretch (QB), Ernie Torain (TB), Rob Brown (FB), Scott Truitt (SE), Doug Keare (TE), Len Fontes (LB)

Brown

The best single-game offensive performance for Brown last year came from Keiron Bigby who scored on jaunts of 91 and 100 yards against Yale.

The only problem was that Bigby was a safety, and the runs came on the returns of two of his three interceptions of the day (Bigby set a NCAA record with 216 return yards overall).

So this year, Coach John Rosenberg decided to call a spade a spade and moved Bigby to wide reciever--where the quarterback will be trying to throw to him.

The defense which Bigby is leaving will have eight starters back from the 1984 campaign including linebackers Pat McCormick and Mike Giambattista and cornerbacks Mark Miller and George Reilly.

The offensive line will be inexperienced with the expection of guard Scott Sullivan, but competent quarterback Steve Kettleberger (51.2 completion percentage) and tailback Jamie Potkul (525 yards) are back.

Head Coach: John Rosenberg (Harvard '67)

Record at Brown 4-5

Last Year: 4-5

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 24-10

Series Record Against Harvard: 21-61-2

Captains: Brian Heffernan, Pat McCormack, Ted Moskala

Lettermen Lost: 23

Lettermen Returning: 30

Returning Players to Watch: Jamie Potkul (RB), Ted Moskala (DT), Pat McCormick (LB), Greg Roth (TE), Keiron Bigby (WR), Steve Kettleberger (QB)

Penn

For any other coach, the task would be impossible. For Penn's Jerry Berndt, it's just another day at the office.

Berndt, the miracle worker who turned a perennial cellar-dweller into a three-time Ivy champ overnight, faces his toughest task yet this year with 15 starters gone from his 8-1 squad of a year ago.

But he doesn't appear worried.

Tailback Rich Comizio, the Ivy Rookie of the Year, and fullback Mike O'Neil will provide a consistent ground game, the only proven factor on the Penn offense.

Quarterback Jim Crocicchia sat out all of last year with a shoulder injury, and returning receivers had only three varsity catches last year.

The defensive line is proven, anchored by Tom Gilmore (14 sacks over the past two years and called by his coach, "The league's most dominating defensive player"), but only one starter from the secondary returns.

Head Coach: Jerry Berndt (Bowling Green '62)

Record at Penn: 22-16-1

Last Year: 8-1

Last Year Against Harvard: Penn, 38-7

Series Record Against Harvard: 18-35-2

Captains: Tom Gilmore, Jeff Goyette

Lettermen Lost: 33

Lettermen Returning: 23

Returning Players to Watch: Tom Gilmore (DT), Rich Comizio (TB), Jeff Goyette (OG), Gavin O'Conner (LB), Mike O'Neil (FB), Jim Crocicchia (QB)

UMass

The good news for UMass is that most of its key offensive players and defensive stalwarts are back from last year.

The good news for Harvard is that the Minutemen managed just three wins in 11 tries in 1984 and don't look to be much stronger this year.

Back is record-setting quarterback Jim Simeone, who completed a team record 146 passes a year ago for 1593 yards. The six top UMass rushers also return to Amherst, notably tailback George Barnwell (931 yards) and fullback Frank Fay (487).

Coach Bob Stull converted four offensive players to defense in an attempt to shore up a sagging unit which allowed more than 20 points per game last year. The newcomers will add depth to the unit, but probably won't be able to turn gelatin into granite.

Another problem position is place-kicking, where the Minutemen must fill the hole left by the graduation of George Papoutsidis.

Head Coach: Bob Stull (Kansas State '68)

Record at Massachusetts: 3-8-0

Last Year: 3-8

Last Year Against Harvard (1983): Massachusetts, 21-7

Series Record Against Harvard: 6-10-1

Captains: George Barnwell, Paul Platek

Lettermen Lost: 12

Lettermen Returning: 35

Returning Players to Watch: Jim Simeone (QB), Chris Wo), George Barnwell (TB), John Crowley (F), Frank Fay (FB), Paul Platek (SS)

Cornell

"Football should be played for fun," says Cornell Coach Maxie Baughan. "If you can't have fun, you shouldn't play."

One must hope Maxie's boys are having fun, because they sure aren't winning very much--just 12 wins in four years.

And 1985 shapes to be another classic three-win Ithaca season. Gone are eight of the defensive starters from last year as well as the Big Red's most potent offensive weapon, halfback Tony Baker--who rushed for 847 yards and scored nearly half the team's points.

Last year's leading pass catcher, halfback John Tagliaferri, will have to pick up the ground-gaining slack created by Baker's absence.

However, the entire front line returns to block for Tagliaferri and two-year starting quarterback Shawn Maguire, who threw at a 53.8 percent clip for 1112 yards.

With the entire defensive secondary graduated, lettermen Jim Frontero and Lyndon Gross will have to step into leading roles.

Head Coach: Maxie Baughan (Georgia Tech '60)

Record at Cornell: 5-13-1

Last Year: 2-7

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 24-18

Series Record Against Harvard: 18-29-2

Captains: John Tagliaferri, David Van Metre

Lettermen Lost: 26

Lettermen Returning: 27

Returning Players to Watch: Mike Wagner (C), John Tagliaferri (TB), Jim Perrello (FL), Shawn Magnire (QB), Todd Pressley (FL), David Van Metre (DT)

Princeton

You're Ron Rogerson, and you've just been named Head Coach at Princeton.

Surveying the team you've inherited, you see that it boasts Doug Butler, the Ivy's consensus outstanding quarterback--and little else.

So what do you decide to do? Why, install the running-oriented, Wing-T offense, of course.

Despite Rogerson's enthusiasm for the Wing-T, he seems to be running a large risk of neutralizing Butler, his biggest--and perhaps only--asset. Though talented, tailback Chris Ratliff and fullback Steve Magoline don't measure up to Butler, who already owns almost every Princeton passing record.

The offensive and defensive lines look to be another trouble area for Rogerson as only one starter from each unit returns from last year.

All-Ivy linebacker Anthony DiTommaso (team leader with 97 tackles) anchors an experienced linebacking corps which will have to do yeoman duty since it will be playing in front of a rebuilt secondary.

Head Coach: Ron Rogerson (Maine '66)

Record at Princeton: first year

Last Year: 4-5

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 17-15

Series Record Against Harvard: 42-28-7

Captains: Anthony DiTommaso, Jim Petrucci

Lettermen Lost: 27

Lettermen Returning: 25

Returning Players to Watch: Chris Ratliff (RB), Doug Butler (QB), Anthony DiTommaso (LB), Jim Petrucci (DT), Jim Anderson (DB)

Holy Cross

Five years ago, Holy Cross hired a new coach, Rick Carter, to turn the Crusaders' football program around.

He did.

Now, Holy Cross has committed to joining the new Colonial League at the end of decade. The new conference will pattern itself on the Ivy League. Carter is too good to coach at that level.

He'll leave.

But in the meantime The Cross will remain a force in local football. Leading the team this year is halfback Gill "The Thrill" Fenerty, who had 337 yards and six touchdowns against Columbia two years ago.

The rest of the offense is far less set or explosive, however. Former punter Pat McCarthy, who's never been within 10 yards of the center in varsity play, will start at quarterback.

The defensive line returns in tact with two All-American candidates, but the rest of the defense was ravaged by graduation.

Head Coach: Rick Carter (Earlham College '65)

Record at Holy Cross: 31-13-1

Last Year: 8-3

Last Year Against Harvard: Holy Cross, 24-14

Series Record Against Harvard: 12-25-2

Captains: Leo Carlin, Ed Kutschke, Tom Patton

Lettermen Lost: 13

Lettermen Returning: 13

Returning Players to Watch: John Hackney (DE), Gill Fenerty (TB), Lee Hull (WR), Ed Kutschke (LT), Greg Laugeni (TE), Dave Neilson (MG), Tom Patton (DE)

Yale

After losing on nine Saturdays in the dismal 1983 season, the Yale football team made sure that last fall was one to remember.

The Elis won six of their last seven games--coming from behind in the final three--to finish second in the Ancient Eight. This year Yale is ready to pick up where it left off and, with Penn, is the team most likely to succeed in this year's Ivy Class.

In his 21st season, Coach Carm Cozza guides a squad that has experienced players returning in all areas and will benefit from the legacy of the Yale's first undefeated freshman team in 13 years.

Quarterback Mike Curtin will lead the powerful offense, which will also have its top four rushers back. Junior Ted Macauley, who averaged 4.3 yards per carry last year, is joined in the starting backfield by Dave Kline. Experienced receivers, led by super split end Kevin Moriarty, and a solid line should make Yale's offense formidable.

The Bulldog defense, tops in the league against the rush last year, promises to be a strong contender for the best overall D this season. Captain Carmen Ilacqua and Ardel McKenna form the strongest linebacking tandem in the league. Both the front line and the secondary will have key people back, making the Eli defense an experienced squad that is sure to give fits to high-powered offenses.

Expect Yale to win big and often. There is speculation that this may be Cozza's last year, and there'd be no better going away present than the 'Dogs first Ancient Eight crown since 1981.

Head Coach: Carm Cozza (Miami of Ohio '52)

Record at Yale: 125-56-3

Last Year: 6-3

Last Year Against Harvard: Yale, 30-27

Series Record Against Harvard: 55-38-8

Captain: Carmen Ilacqua

Lettermen Lost: 24

Lettermen Returning: 32

Returning Players to Watch: Mike Curtin (QB), Carmen Ilacqua (LB), Yves Labissiere (DT), Ardel McKenna (LB), Ted Macauley (TB), Kevin Moriarty (WR), Mike Tjarksen (S)

Cornell

"Football should be played for fun," says Cornell Coach Maxie Baughan. "If you can't have fun, you shouldn't play."

One must hope Maxie's boys are having fun, because they sure aren't winning very much--just 12 wins in four years.

And 1985 shapes to be another classic three-win Ithaca season. Gone are eight of the defensive starters from last year as well as the Big Red's most potent offensive weapon, halfback Tony Baker--who rushed for 847 yards and scored nearly half the team's points.

Last year's leading pass catcher, halfback John Tagliaferri, will have to pick up the ground-gaining slack created by Baker's absence.

However, the entire front line returns to block for Tagliaferri and two-year starting quarterback Shawn Maguire, who threw at a 53.8 percent clip for 1112 yards.

With the entire defensive secondary graduated, lettermen Jim Frontero and Lyndon Gross will have to step into leading roles.

Head Coach: Maxie Baughan (Georgia Tech '60)

Record at Cornell: 5-13-1

Last Year: 2-7

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 24-18

Series Record Against Harvard: 18-29-2

Captains: John Tagliaferri, David Van Metre

Lettermen Lost: 26

Lettermen Returning: 27

Returning Players to Watch: Mike Wagner (C), John Tagliaferri (TB), Jim Perrello (FL), Shawn Magnire (QB), Todd Pressley (FL), David Van Metre (DT)

Princeton

You're Ron Rogerson, and you've just been named Head Coach at Princeton.

Surveying the team you've inherited, you see that it boasts Doug Butler, the Ivy's consensus outstanding quarterback--and little else.

So what do you decide to do? Why, install the running-oriented, Wing-T offense, of course.

Despite Rogerson's enthusiasm for the Wing-T, he seems to be running a large risk of neutralizing Butler, his biggest--and perhaps only--asset. Though talented, tailback Chris Ratliff and fullback Steve Magoline don't measure up to Butler, who already owns almost every Princeton passing record.

The offensive and defensive lines look to be another trouble area for Rogerson as only one starter from each unit returns from last year.

All-Ivy linebacker Anthony DiTommaso (team leader with 97 tackles) anchors an experienced linebacking corps which will have to do yeoman duty since it will be playing in front of a rebuilt secondary.

Head Coach: Ron Rogerson (Maine '66)

Record at Princeton: first year

Last Year: 4-5

Last Year Against Harvard: Harvard, 17-15

Series Record Against Harvard: 42-28-7

Captains: Anthony DiTommaso, Jim Petrucci

Lettermen Lost: 27

Lettermen Returning: 25

Returning Players to Watch: Chris Ratliff (RB), Doug Butler (QB), Anthony DiTommaso (LB), Jim Petrucci (DT), Jim Anderson (DB)

Holy Cross

Five years ago, Holy Cross hired a new coach, Rick Carter, to turn the Crusaders' football program around.

He did.

Now, Holy Cross has committed to joining the new Colonial League at the end of decade. The new conference will pattern itself on the Ivy League. Carter is too good to coach at that level.

He'll leave.

But in the meantime The Cross will remain a force in local football. Leading the team this year is halfback Gill "The Thrill" Fenerty, who had 337 yards and six touchdowns against Columbia two years ago.

The rest of the offense is far less set or explosive, however. Former punter Pat McCarthy, who's never been within 10 yards of the center in varsity play, will start at quarterback.

The defensive line returns in tact with two All-American candidates, but the rest of the defense was ravaged by graduation.

Head Coach: Rick Carter (Earlham College '65)

Record at Holy Cross: 31-13-1

Last Year: 8-3

Last Year Against Harvard: Holy Cross, 24-14

Series Record Against Harvard: 12-25-2

Captains: Leo Carlin, Ed Kutschke, Tom Patton

Lettermen Lost: 13

Lettermen Returning: 13

Returning Players to Watch: John Hackney (DE), Gill Fenerty (TB), Lee Hull (WR), Ed Kutschke (LT), Greg Laugeni (TE), Dave Neilson (MG), Tom Patton (DE)

Yale

After losing on nine Saturdays in the dismal 1983 season, the Yale football team made sure that last fall was one to remember.

The Elis won six of their last seven games--coming from behind in the final three--to finish second in the Ancient Eight. This year Yale is ready to pick up where it left off and, with Penn, is the team most likely to succeed in this year's Ivy Class.

In his 21st season, Coach Carm Cozza guides a squad that has experienced players returning in all areas and will benefit from the legacy of the Yale's first undefeated freshman team in 13 years.

Quarterback Mike Curtin will lead the powerful offense, which will also have its top four rushers back. Junior Ted Macauley, who averaged 4.3 yards per carry last year, is joined in the starting backfield by Dave Kline. Experienced receivers, led by super split end Kevin Moriarty, and a solid line should make Yale's offense formidable.

The Bulldog defense, tops in the league against the rush last year, promises to be a strong contender for the best overall D this season. Captain Carmen Ilacqua and Ardel McKenna form the strongest linebacking tandem in the league. Both the front line and the secondary will have key people back, making the Eli defense an experienced squad that is sure to give fits to high-powered offenses.

Expect Yale to win big and often. There is speculation that this may be Cozza's last year, and there'd be no better going away present than the 'Dogs first Ancient Eight crown since 1981.

Head Coach: Carm Cozza (Miami of Ohio '52)

Record at Yale: 125-56-3

Last Year: 6-3

Last Year Against Harvard: Yale, 30-27

Series Record Against Harvard: 55-38-8

Captain: Carmen Ilacqua

Lettermen Lost: 24

Lettermen Returning: 32

Returning Players to Watch: Mike Curtin (QB), Carmen Ilacqua (LB), Yves Labissiere (DT), Ardel McKenna (LB), Ted Macauley (TB), Kevin Moriarty (WR), Mike Tjarksen (S)