Did Hirsch Lose One or Not?

Harvard Captain Robb Hirsch is the Crimson's most reliable weapon. That's why his teammates elected him captain.

He is neither a sterling rhetorician nor an inspired teacher, but he is, without question, the one player Harvard can always go to to pick up yardage.

The human Panzer division, who is only 23 yards short of surpassing 1000 total collegiate yards, has only been dropped for a loss twice in his Harvard career.

Until this weekend, that is.

With 10:51 left in the second quarter, Hirsch took a handoff from Giardi and slid up the left side, only to be met by two Crusdader linemen who dropped the Riverdale-grad to the 19 yard line for a one yard loss.

Or was it?

Harvard's next possession listed the team as 2nd-and-11, and the play-by-play reads: "hit for a loss."

But the final official stats (the ones submitted to the NCAA) make no mention of the erstwhile one yard loss.

They read: 39 gained, 0 lost, 39 net.

So much for history.

Then again, who really cares?

Dumb Play Watch, Episode #2: Last week fans saw Harvard punt the ball with six minutes remaining in the game and the team trailing badly.

This week, everyone was treated to an even more painful display of poor play selection.

With 13:19 left in the second quarter, Harvard found itself trapped on the Holy Cross five yard line on third down.

By that time, junior quarterback Mike Giardi had already been dropped for four sacks, and the Crimson's running game was getting nowhere against the Crusader defense.

So, in the infinite wisdom of the Multiflex, Harvard ran a delayed handoff to senior Kendrick Joyce.

Joyce was summarily squashed by the entire Crusader line into the endzone for the safety.

Why a delayed handoff?

Why not just hang back for a couple of hours and wait to be sacked?

Secondly, why run a running play at all? On 3rd and five right in front of the endzone, Holy Cross was not going to give up a run up the middle.

And, as everyone now knows, it didn't.

Tune in Saturday for installment number three in this ongoing saga.

Good Times in Worcester: Rookie head coach Peter Vaas tried to stay restrained Saturday after his team picked up its first victory in four games.

Holding his blond-haired three year old daughter Kelly in his arms, Vaas talked about how little "one win" means, that the team needs to play "with urgency" before each game.

But, as the reporters drifted away, Vaas finally conceded: "It feels good. Positive momentum, that's all we needed."

Brief Notes: Harvard junior half-back Esan Simon saw significant play time for the first time this season. The 5'10", 170-lbs. halfback shone in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, proving himself a speedy and intelligent runner. Simon collected 26 yards on three attempts...Senior tight end Read Hubbard made his brief, but expected, receiving performance Saturday, putting in another fine performance. The senior recorded 56 yards on three receptions. By the way, when is Restic going to start using this guy some more?...Strangely enough, Harvard led Holy Cross in possession time Saturday. Harvard held the ball for 33:24, while Holy Cross for 26:36. Of course, when the Crusaders had the ball, they scored...Harvard record fans should take note: With 696 wins, the Crimson is just three games shy of breaking the 700 win barrier that only three other football programs have broken. Yale (768), Michigan (725) and Notre Dame (705) have already surpassed the mark.