Wilford Shows He Has Strong Legs, Too

WORCESTER--In Harvard's 25-17 win at Holy Cross on Saturday, senior quarterback Brad Wilford continued to establish himself as a credible running threat.

At 6'3, 215, Wilford is no ballet dancer, but he has shown the ability to find seams and to run the option well. He was sacked six times for 45 yards, but he also evaded the rush several times, stepping up in the pocket to complete passes down the field. Last week, Wilford ripped off a 41-yard run in the Crimson's 24-7 win over Columbia. He finished with 71 yards on 10 carries and added to that total with 31 yards on 15 carries against the Crusaders. Take out the six sacks for -45 yards, which all count in Wilford's rushing total, and he ran nine times for 76 yards.

Murphy said he told Wilford to lay off the burritos over the summer, and the bean-free lifestyle has paid off.

In the first quarter, Wilford took off on a drunken scramble, willing himself forward after being tripped by defensive end David Puloka. Wilford stumbled for a 13-yard gain and a first down.

Wilford ran the option effectively to both sides, showing that he can pitch the ball with the left hand as well as the right.

Wilford scrambled for positive gains after Crusader pressure several times, and he also was effective running the quarterback draw. One draw went for 37 yards on second-and-18, Wilford's second long run in as many weeks.

When senior linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski recovered a lateral at the Holy Cross 12, Harvard immediately went to an option left. Wilford made a beautiful fake pitch that left linebacker Patrick Colgan looking foolish and ran in untouched for Harvard's third touchdown.

Wilford didn't do such a bad job throwing the ball, either. He completed 17-of-29 for 202 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion, flashing the strong arm that helped him earn the starting job this year. He threw to the sidelines with authority, giving the Crimson offense a dimension it lacked last year.

As if that weren't enough, Wilford also did a great job blocking on junior receiver Terrence Patterson's two reverses. He knocked down linebacker John Aloisi, the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week, in the third quarter on a 25-yard reverse and blocked him again in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard reverse.

Svicarovich Steps In

Senior linebacker Jeff Svicarovich made his first start yesterday, taking the place of classmate Clint Kollar, who hurt his ankle against Columbia. Svicarovich played well last week, totaling 11 tackles in relief.

Saturday, he added an unofficial 14 stops, including a crushing hit on Kendy Hall on a quick pass to the right flat. He blitzed and tipped a second-down pass on the Crusaders' next possession and provided tight coverage to force a punt on the next play.

On another blitz, he teamed up with senior linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski to smash quarterback Ryan Collar and force an incompletion, and they exchanged high-fives afterward.

In the third quarter, he stopped a draw for no gain and forced a two-yard loss on a screen. On Holy Cross's last-ditch drive, he stopped another run for a loss of one.

"He did not have a good spring," Harvard Coach Tim Murphy said. "He showed up in tremendous shape this fall, and we're very fortunate to have him."

With Kollar expected to be out until the Cornell game in two weeks, Svicarovich will have at least one more start to continue to impress.

Eitzmann Leads By Example

Tight end captain Chris Eitzmann has quietly been a crucial factor in Harvard's 24.5 point-per-game offense. That doesn't mean he has been unnoticed.

Eitzmann caught a 46-yard pass against Columbia, and he was a critical part of the touchdown that got Harvard's offense back in rhythm on Saturday.

Down 14-3, the Crimson turned to Eitzmann for 14 yards on first down and again for 24 yards a play later. Eitzmann's two receptions counted for 38 of Harvard's 42 yards on the scoring drive, and Eitzmann then caught the two-point conversion that pulled Harvard within three.

"He has good initial quickness, and his patterns are pretty good," said George Lynch, a New York Giants scout at the Columbia game. "He can get some separation and get open, he's got good hands and good upfield lean. He also has good speed for a tight end. If he bulks up, he could be drafted. He has good blocking technique and is willing."

Waller Intercepts Two

Senior cornerback Kane Waller showed a nose for the ball, picking off two passes on Saturday.

On the first play from scrimmage, the Harvard corners showed great discipline as Holy Cross called a flea-flicker. Collar handed off to the running back, received the pitch back, and threw downfield. Both Waller and sophomore Willie Alford stayed with their men, and Waller went up in the air and took the ball away from the Crusaders' Hall.

Waller's second interception came on another bomb attempt, this time to Michael Coleman. Just when it seemed he wouldn't turn around in time, Waller did and made the play at the Harvard 39-yard line.